The Day Skipper Practical Course teaches you to safely skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day, with a focus on boat handling, pilotage, navigation, and seamanship.

The course has mandatory prerequisites (listed below), along with recommended preparation to help you get the most from your time onboard. As this qualification can be used internationally, it’s important that all students meet and understand these requirements. For example, if it’s been some time since your Day Skipper Theory course, a refresher is recommended, and if you haven’t sailed recently, time with West Pier Sailing Club can help refresh boat handling and wind awareness.

• Preparation of a yacht for sea
• Reefing
• Anchoring
• Navigation to include
  • Position Fixes
  • Course to Steer
  • Dead reckoning and Estimated Positions
  • Pilotage
• Interpreting Shipping forecasts
• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
• Basic Engine Maintenance
• Can handle a yacht under power
• Can handle a yacht in close quarters under sail

Pre-Requisites

To qualify for this course:

• You must have taken the Competent Crew Course or have spent at least 5 days on a yacht acting as an effective crew member. This includes
  • Minimum 5 days at sea
  • 100miles logged
  • At least 4 hours sailing at night.
• Have navigation and theory knowledge to Day Skipper Shorebased Theory level, either by completing the Theory Course and passing the assessment or by knowledge and ability self-taught/learned in other ways. Please be aware that the instructor will test you on this level of knowledge. Without this you cannot successfully complete the Day Skipper Practical course. On receipt of your booking we will call you to confirm you meet the pre-requisites for this course. Please have your cert number to hand.

We recommend:

The Day Skipper Practical Course combines sailing skills with passage planning and navigation. In addition to the prerequisites, we strongly recommend gaining extra time on the water beforehand.

The West Pier Sailing Club was founded to support graduates of our courses, as well as sailors who want to develop their skills in a structured sailing environment. After completing a Competent Crew course—or if it’s been some time since you last sailed—the club is an ideal way to refresh your boat handling and wind awareness before taking the Day Skipper Practical.

In short, spending more time on the water makes all the difference, and it’s exactly what will set you up for a productive, informative, and busy Day Skipper Practical course.

• More About the Club

Once candidates have successfully completed this course, they will receive a certificate and be eligible to apply to Irish Sailing for an ICC (International Certificate of Competency), which is recognised in many countries as evidence of competence to skipper a small vessel in coastal waters.