RYA Coastal Skipper Practical
The RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course is designed for experienced Day Skippers and sailors ready to progress to more challenging coastal and offshore sailing. Over five days, you'll develop your navigation, seamanship and boat handling skills, building the confidence to skipper a yacht safely in more demanding conditions.
Description

Take the next step from coastal cruising to offshore passage-making. You'll gain practical experience planning and completing coastal and offshore passages, navigating by day and night, and managing the yacht and crew in more demanding conditions.
You'll take an active role in passage planning, pilotage, watchkeeping and yacht handling, developing your skills through hands-on experience.
Course content
Passage planning and preparation
- Navigation, tides, weather and route planning
- Safety and engine checks, crew briefings
- Victualling, watchkeeping and onboard routines
Passage-making and pilotage
- Coastal navigation and harbour pilotage
- Day and night passage-making and watchkeeping
- Electronic navigation, waypoints and routes
Yacht handling under power and sail
- Berthing and unberthing under power
- Steering and sail trim on all points of sail
- Using preventers and poles downwind
- Picking up moorings under sail
Heavy weather and emergencies
- Preparing the yacht for heavy weather
- Man-overboard recovery drills
- Storm sails and emergency equipment
Location and sailing conditions
You'll explore the NSW coast, with possible destinations including Broken Bay, Newcastle and Port Stephens. The route is planned around the prevailing weather and sea conditions.
Expect varied coastal sailing, spectacular scenery and opportunities to spot dolphins and whales in season.
The yacht and your instructor
You'll train aboard one of our offshore-approved yachts, under the guidance of a qualified RYA Yachtmaster Instructor.
You'll share responsibility for running the yacht, gaining valuable experience and confidence as an offshore skipper.
Before you start
- At least 15 days at sea, including two days as skipper, 300 nautical miles and eight night hours.
- RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate or equivalent experience.
- A sound understanding of navigation, meteorology, pilotage and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS), equivalent to the RYA Day Skipper Theory course.
What's included
- Professional instruction, logbook and pre-course reading materials.
- Lifejackets and safety harnesses, with wet-weather clothing available to borrow.
- Onboard accommodation with shared bathroom facilities.
- Meals provided during the passage-making component of the course.
Qualifications and experience
- Approximately 250 nautical miles of sailing experience.
- RYA Coastal Skipper course completion certificate.
What next?
- At the end of the course, your instructor will provide feedback on your sailing and skippering skills, with recommendations for further training and experience.
- Explore our RYA Yachtmaster short courses to continue your progression towards Yachtmaster certification.
Faq
- Booking information
- Secure your place with a 20% deposit. The balance is due 60 days before the course starts.
- Deposits are non-refundable but can be transferred to another Flying Fish course or event, subject to our booking conditions.
- Places are limited, so early booking is recommended.
- Read our terms and conditions.
- Who should attend?
- Confident RYA Day Skippers or sailors with equivalent experience who are ready to progress to coastal and offshore passage-making.
- You should be comfortable steering, trimming sails, handling lines and standing watch.
- What type of yacht will I sail on?
- You'll train aboard our offshore-rated Beneteau First 40 cruiser-racer, equipped with modern navigation and safety equipment.
- The yacht has crew cabins, a shared galley and bathroom facilities.
- How fit do I need to be?
- You should have reasonable fitness and mobility to manage sail handling, deck work and watchkeeping in varying conditions.
- If you're prone to seasickness, bring suitable medication and follow the recommended instructions for taking it.
- How long does it take to become an offshore sailor?
- This five-day course builds on your existing experience and develops the practical skills needed for coastal and offshore passages.
- Further sea time and experience will help you progress towards the RYA Yachtmaster qualifications.
- What if the weather is bad?
- Training takes place in a range of conditions, providing valuable experience in passage planning and heavy-weather sailing.
- Your instructor will adapt the route or schedule when necessary to ensure safety.
- Can I book as a private group?
- Yes. We can arrange private training aboard the Beneteau First 40 for sailing clubs, friends or crews preparing for longer passages.
- Contact us to discuss your group's experience and training goals.
- What should I bring?
- Warm layers and quick-drying clothing
- Waterproof jacket and trousers (loan sets available)
- Non-slip deck shoes
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Sleeping bag, pillowcase, towel and toiletries
- Headtorch with red-light function
- Seasickness medication if required