Classroom: Starting 1st March
From: £390.00
10% discount automatically applied to bookings of 2 or more
Advanced training for more experienced skippers building on the Day Skipper course, the RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster theory course looks at more detailed navigational techniques, specifically for those looking to undertake longer passages and, in particular, navigation at night. For those who have built up some miles and are looking to the next stage of their boating journey, the RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster theory is a great step and essential preparation for the Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster and Yachtmaster offshore practical exam. You’ll hone your skills in lights and shapes, course shaping and plotting and tidal knowledge, including secondary ports and tide gates. Additionally, you will learn how to take and interpret weather forecasts and plot weather systems. You’ll extend your collision regulation knowledge and understand the requirements for arriving and entering a foreign port. All this and much, much more. As with the Day Skipper shore-based course, the RYA’s specially designed chart plotter software will be used during the course to give you a real taste of modern electronic navigation.
The course is taught over 40 hours with three exam papers.
Course topics include:
- position fixing
- course shaping and plotting
- tidal knowledge
- use of almanacs and admiralty publications
- electronic position finding equipment
- taking and interpreting forecasts
- plotting weather systems
- weather predictions using a barometer and by observation
- collision regulations
- customs and excise regulations for cruising abroad
The course allows some time to revise the basics and then moves on to advanced navigation techniques.
Event Details
Day 1: March 01, 2023
Start time:
18:00
End time:
21:00
Day 2: March 04, 2023
Start time:
09:00
End time:
17:00
Day 3: March 05, 2023
Start time:
09:00
End time:
17:00
Day 4: March 08, 2023
Start time:
18:00
End time:
21:00
Day 5: March 15, 2023
Start time:
18:00
End time:
21:00
Day 6: March 18, 2023
Start time:
09:00
End time:
17:00
Day 7: March 19, 2023
Start time:
09:00
End time:
17:00
Location: Godalming College
Our fabulous facilities at Godalming College.
We use the classrooms in the sports facilities located at the back of the college. There’s easy access, free parking and plenty of tea & coffee available. Look out for our banners when you arrive.
Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster® Theory Syllabus
This is an advanced course in navigation and meteorology for candidates for the Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. The syllabus makes some provision for the revision of subjects in the Day Skipper course, but those who have not acquired the knowledge set out in the Day Skipper course are unlikely to assimilate all the subjects covered in this advanced course in the time available.
1. Position
- Dead reckoning and estimated position
- Satellite-derived position
- Use of waypoints to fix position
- Radar fixes
- Techniques of visual fixing
- Fixes using a mixture of position lines
- Relative accuracy of different methods of position fixing
- Area of uncertainty
2. The magnetic compass
- Allowance for variation
- Change of variation with time and position
- Causes of deviation
- Swing for deviation (but not correction)
- Allowance for deviation
- Different types of compass
3. Tides
- Causes of tide – Springs and Neaps
- Tide tables – sources
- Tidal levels and datum
- Standard and secondary ports
- Tide anomalies (Solent, etc.)
4. Tidal Streams
- Sources of tidal information
- Tidal stream information in sailing directions and Yachtsmen’s Almanacs
- Allowance for tidal streams in computing a course to steer
- Tide rips, overfalls and races
- Tidal observation buoys, beacons etc.
5. Buoyage
- IALA system buoyage in Region A
- Limitations of buoys as navigational aids
6. Lights
- Characteristics
- Ranges – visual, luminous and nominal
- Rising and dipping distances
- Light lists
7. Pilotage
- Harbour regulations and control signals
- Methods of pre-planning
- Clearing lines
- Use of soundings
- Transits and leading lines
8. GPS and chart plotters
- Principles of operation and limitations of use
- Raster and vector charts
- Datum
- Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source and keeping a separate record of position
- Importance of paper charts
9. Echo sounders
- Principles of operation and limitations of use
10. Logs (speed and distance measuring)
- Principles of operation limitations of use
11. Deck log
- Importance of log as yacht’s official document
- Layout of log, hourly and occasional entries
12. Meteorology
- Basic terms, the Beaufort scale b. Air masses c. Cloud types d. Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems e. Sources of weather forecasts f. Ability to interpret a shipping forecast, weatherfax and weather satellite information g. Land and sea breezes h. Sea fog i. Use of barometer as a forecasting aid
13. Rules of the Road
- A sound knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, except Annexes 1 and 3
14. Safety at Sea
- Personal safety, use of lifejackets, safety harnesses and lifelines
- Fire prevention and fire fighting
- Distress signals
- Coastguard and Boat Safety Scheme
- Preparation for heavy weather
- Liferafts and helicopter rescue
- Understanding of capabilities of vessel and basic knowledge of stability
15. Navigation in restricted visibility
- Precautions to be taken in fog
- Limitations to safe navigation imposed by fog
- Navigation in poor visibility
16. Passage planning
- Preparation of charts and notebook for route planning and making, and use at sea
- Customs regulations as they apply to yachts
- Routine for navigating in coastal waters
- Strategy for course laying
- Use of waypoints and routes
- Use of weather forecast information for passage planning strategy
- Sources of local and national regulations
Hi Marcus,
Just a couple of suggestions:
1. On the 1st day you may want to ask “what do want to get out of the weekend?” I was very happy as the last two years I had been on the bow so I thoroughly enjoyed being on the main sheet.
2. Lots of skippers have slightly different terms when going about and counting down to the maneuver. I thought it worked better when you started to count down 3,2,1 after saying going about.
I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. You were well organised and it made a great change to have a good skipper that knew how to race very well and knew his boat extremely well.
It was also good to stay in Cowes for Saturday evening and have a leisurely sail back on the Sunday, instead of heading home on Saturday.
I will definitely book again.
Thanks for a great weekend.
Clive
Fantastic weekend on the water for the Isle of Wight Round the Island Race. Marcus is a highly experienced racing skipper; s/v Polka is superbly maintained & prepared, with high quality sails & equipment all in excellent condition. The Solent co-operated with 20-30kn of wind, all adding to a memorable weekend, with Marcus guiding the team safely across the finish line.
Nicely run course, delivered in a relaxed and helpful way
VHF online course was comprehensive and easy to follow. Marcus was extremely helpful in answering my queries before the exam. On the day of the exam I was accompanied by my daughter who i expected would wait outside whilst I completed the test. Instead Marcus involved her and allowed her to follow the script during the practical radio examples – she was delighted to be involved and to push the big red button! Thank you Marcus. I would highly recommend Polka Sailing for the VHF or day skipper theory course. Marcus is an engaging instructor who brings the syllabus to life with practical examples.
Thank is my third course with Marcus. He always managed to strike the right balance of making it fun whilst we learn and understand the serious points. He was the same for the assessment so my nervous was dispelled and I really enjoyed it.