RYA Day Skipper theory exam only??

[capnsensible]

Oh ok. My cert has both words on it:

View attachment 116837

? You solved it yourself!

The rather cumbersome newer name has been around for, a gues, a couple of decades. I can't remember when it changed. The course content didn't, just the name.

But then, around four years ago the whole thing was re vamped and is a much better course and more demanding in the testing. In my opinion, well overdue.

All the theory courses are now a lot more up to date. It took a lot of hard yakka to sort out the Ocean course, but that's there now too.

So, we have in all its glory the Coatal Skipper/RYA Yachtmaster Shorebased Course and the practical exams for either Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore.

Keeping it simple. ??

 

[rotrax]

this sounds exactly like what i want to do! i just wanted to check, when you say you passed, do they just asses your theory whilst on the practical course? or is there a way to just take the exam?

We took our courses with the now defunct Trinity Sailing out of Brixham.

Our Instructor/Skipper, a tiny but active lady called Georgina had two CC's, two DS's and me doing CS. This was before CS changed to CY.

She asked me to do two tricky passage plans, one for the Yealm and one for Salcombe. When she was sure I was up to it I took a bit of the pressure off looking after the two CC's with knots, watchkeeping and other low level stuff while she took the two DS's under her wing with the tidal stuff and chartwork. Suited me as I have formal qualification as a Trainer in areas other than sailing.

I achieved the practical CS certificate, first mate the DS one.

AFAIK the theory exam is only available at the end of the theory course.

To be perfectly honest, I know two who have passed YM theory at evening classes.

I would not go on Tooting Bec Common pond with one of them and would be unlikely to sail with the other as Skipper.

Because neither followed up with practical sailing and have few miles logged.

A mentor, Yachtmaster Examiner and Skipper/Instructor for the JSASTC at Haslar asked to see our logbook for our previous boat.

After perusing it for a while he closed it and said " Wow! Dont you two sail a lot! "

And we did. That is where our knowlege and what skills we have come from, hours at sea.

Whatever route you choose, good luck.

 

[capnsensible]

Here is what you learn on a day skipper theory course and is the recommended pre practical course knowledge:

Day Skipper Shorebased Syllabus

1

Nautical terms

Parts of a boat and hull
General nautical terminology

2

Ropework

Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use.
Ability to make and knowledge of: Figure of 8, bowline, clove hitch, reef knot, single and double sheet bend, rolling hitch, round turn and 2 half hitches.

3

Anchorwork

Characteristics of different types of anchor
Considerations to be taken into account when anchoring.
Securing to cleats, use of winches and general rope handling.

4

Safety

Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use (RYA booklet C8)
Fire precautions and fire fighting
Use of personal safety equipment, harnesses and lifejackets
Ability to send a distress signal by VHF radiotelephone
Basic knowledge of rescue procedures including helicopter rescue

5

International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

Steering and sailing rules (5,7,8,9,10 and 12-19)
General rules (all other rules)

6

Definition of position, course and speed

Latitude and longitude
Knowledge of standard navigational terms
True bearings and courses
The knot

7

Navigational charts and publications

Information shown on charts, chart symbols and representation of direction and distance
Navigational publications in common use
Chart correction

8

Navigational drawing instruments

Use of parallel rulers, dividers and the Portland Plotter

9

Compasses

Application of variation.
Use of transits and comparison to check deviation.
Importance of swinging compass.
Siting of steering compass
Use of hand bearing compass

10

Chartwork

Tidal streams. Dead reckoning. Working up estimated position from course steered, distance run and estimate of leeway and tidal set.
Plotting fixes.
Working out course to steer to allow for leeway and tide.

11

Position fixing

Sources of position lines.
Potential accuracy of fixing methods.
GPS and Electronic Chart plotters

12

Tides and tidal streams

Tidal definitions, levels and datum
Tide tables, standard and secondary ports
Use of Admiralty method of determining tidal height at standard port. Use of tidal diamond and tidal stream atlases for chartwork

13

Visual aids to navigation

Lighthouses and beacons, light characteristics

14

Meteorology

Sources of broadcast meteorological information
Knowledge of terms used in shipping forecasts, including the Beaufort scale and their significance to small craft
Basic knowledge of highs, lows and fronts

15

Passage planning

Preparation of navigational plan for short coastal passages
Meteorological considerations in planning short coastal passages
Use of waypoints on passage
Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source
Keeping a navigational record (Log book)

16

Electronic Charts Use of the RYA/UKHO plotting software
17

Navigation in restricted visibility

Precautions to be taken and limitations imposed by fog

18

Pilotage

Use of transits, leading lines and clearing lines
IALA system of buoyage for region A
Use of sailing directions
Pilotage plans and harbour entry

Responsibility for avoiding pollution and protecting the marine environment

 

[Sticky Fingers]

? You solved it yourself!
...
But then, around four years ago the whole thing was re vamped and is a much better course and more demanding in the testing. In my opinion, well overdue.
All the theory courses are now a lot more up to date.
...

I qualified in Jan 2018, I'm assuming this was the new Theory course. Due to pressure of spare time and work schedules, I paid for the whole course to be taught 1:1 in-person at my own house, by the trainer who came to me. It was, I have to say, completely excellent, I learned tons, and the benefit of doing it 1:1 was that there was ample time to discuss anything whatever that came up.

 

[capnsensible]

Good one. When people get to Coastal theory, they generally have a fair bit of experience on the water so it all makes sense.

Foot stampy pencil snappy happens on the Ocean theory with very experienced people doing something so different!

 

[ShaneAtSea]

Save your money and read the sylabus and go sailing and enjoy

Thats not going to bode well when trying to buy insurance is it?

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Thats not going to bode well when trying to buy insurance is it?

Meaning what? It’s the RYA system and has been so for years. Some insurers only take YM Practical into account.

 

[dragoon]

Thats not going to bode well when trying to buy insurance is it?

I don’t think it makes much difference. I only got an RYA qualification in the last few years to make renting boats easier. When I did it make almost no difference to my insurance premium.

 

[Jamie Dundee]

Thats not going to bode well when trying to buy insurance is it?

I was told by my broker that qualifications made no difference to premiums, except for the occasional case where the boat was in some way unusual and required a particularly qualified skipper.