Course overview
Day Skipper Theory Prep
A structured theory curriculum in 12 modules and 65 lessons: seamanship, navigation, tides, weather, collision regulations, safety and passage planning — written for complete beginners.
Overall progress0/12 modules
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Curriculum
Module 1 · SEAMANSHIP
Seamanship & Boat Knowledge2.8h
- Parts of a YachtHull, keel, rudder, deck fittings and the essential vocabulary used aboard.25m
- Sails and RiggingStanding and running rigging, sail parts and the controls that shape them.25m
- Ropework and KnotsThe essential knots, hitches and rope-handling skills for cruising.30m
- Boat Handling Under Power and SailPoints of sail, tacking and gybing, prop effects and slow-speed handling.30m
- Anchoring and MooringAnchor types, choosing an anchorage, scope, and coming alongside.30m
- Engines and Boat SystemsDaily engine checks, fuel, batteries, gas and water systems afloat.25m
- Module assessment
Module 2 · NAVIGATION
Chartwork Fundamentals2.7h
- Understanding Nautical ChartsChart projections, scale, datums and how to choose and correct charts.30m
- Chart Symbols and AbbreviationsDepths, drying heights, dangers, seabed types and the symbols that matter most.25m
- Latitude, Longitude and PositionThe coordinate grid, reading positions from the chart scales and plotting them.25m
- Direction: True, Magnetic and CompassThe three norths, variation and deviation, and converting between them.30m
- Distance, Speed and DepthNautical miles, knots, logs, echo sounders and time–speed–distance sums.25m
- Plotting Tools and TechniquesPlotters, parallel rules and dividers — and standard chartwork notation.25m
- Module assessment
Module 3 · NAVIGATION
Position Fixing2.3h
- Dead ReckoningProjecting your position from course steered, speed and time.25m
- The Estimated PositionImproving DR with tidal stream and leeway to produce an EP.30m
- Position Lines and Visual FixesCompass bearings, the three-point fix and the cocked hat.30m
- Transits, Clearing Bearings and SoundingsPosition lines without instruments: transits, clearing lines and the echo sounder.25m
- Fixing in PracticeChoosing methods, fixing frequency, logging and cross-checking GNSS.25m
- Module assessment
Module 4 · TIDES
Tides & Tidal Calculations2.8h
- How Tides WorkSprings, neaps and the astronomy behind the tides.25m
- Tide Tables and Heights of TideChart datum, tidal levels, and finding depths from tide tables.30m
- The Rule of TwelfthsA quick mental model for the rise and fall between high and low water.20m
- Tidal CurvesUsing standard port curves to find height at a time, or time for a height.35m
- Secondary PortsApplying time and height differences to standard port data.30m
- Tidal StreamsTidal stream atlases and diamonds: which way the water is moving, and how fast.30m
- Module assessment
Module 5 · NAVIGATION
Course to Steer1.8h
- Ground Track vs Water TrackWhy your heading and your track over the seabed are different things.25m
- Constructing a Course to SteerThe one-hour vector triangle, step by step.35m
- LeewayEstimating and applying the wind's sideways push on your course.20m
- Course to Steer in PracticeLonger crossings, multiple tide hours, and the classic mistakes.30m
- Module assessment
Module 6 · PILOTAGE
Coastal Navigation & Pilotage2.4h
- IALA Buoyage (Region A)Lateral and cardinal marks, and the buoys that mark special features and dangers.35m
- Lights and Their CharacteristicsReading light characteristics on the chart and identifying them at night.30m
- Making a Pilotage PlanTurning chart study into a simple plan you can follow from the cockpit.30m
- Executing PilotageClearing bearings, back bearings and depth as real-time guardrails.25m
- Harbours, Marinas and TrafficPort signals, small-craft channels, and staying clear of big ships.25m
- Module assessment
Module 7 · NAVIGATION
Electronic Navigation2.2h
- GNSS FundamentalsHow satellite positioning works, its accuracy and its failure modes.25m
- Chart Plotters and Electronic ChartsVector and raster charts, zoom pitfalls, and safe plotter setup.30m
- Waypoints, Routes and XTEBuilding and checking routes, and steering to a track with cross-track error.25m
- AIS and Radar BasicsSeeing and being seen: what AIS and radar can and cannot tell you.30m
- Instruments and the Modern Nav StationDepth, log and wind data, and blending electronics with paper navigation.20m
- Module assessment
Module 8 · METEOROLOGY
Weather & Meteorology2.6h
- Air Pressure and Weather SystemsHighs, lows, isobars and the general circulation that drives our weather.25m
- Fronts and DepressionsThe life of a low: warm fronts, cold fronts and the weather each brings.30m
- Wind, Sea Breezes and Sea StateGradient wind, local effects, the Beaufort scale and fetch.30m
- Fog and Poor VisibilityRadiation and advection fog, and preparing for visibility to close in.20m
- Getting and Reading ForecastsMarine forecast sources and the precise language they use.25m
- Weather Planning for PassagesSynoptic charts, weather windows and making the go/no-go call.25m
- Module assessment
Module 9 · COLLISION REGS
Collision Regulations2.8h
- Foundations: Lookout, Speed and RiskThe rules that always apply: lookout, safe speed and judging collision risk.25m
- Give-Way Rules Between VesselsHead-on, crossing and overtaking — under power and under sail.35m
- Narrow Channels and Traffic SchemesKeeping right, not impeding, and crossing traffic separation schemes.25m
- Navigation Lights and Day ShapesIdentifying any vessel at night, and the day shapes that flag its status.35m
- Sound and Light SignalsManoeuvring signals, warnings, and signals in restricted visibility.25m
- Conduct in Restricted VisibilityHow the rules change when you cannot see other vessels.20m
- Module assessment
Module 10 · SAFETY
Safety & Emergency Procedures2.8h
- Personal Safety EquipmentLifejackets, harnesses, tethers and dressing for the conditions.25m
- The Boat's Safety EquipmentFlares, fire fighting, liferafts, EPIRBs and grab bags.30m
- Man OverboardImmediate actions, keeping sight, and recovery under power and sail.30m
- VHF Radio and Distress ProceduresChannel 16, DSC alerts, and the Mayday and Pan-Pan procedures.30m
- Emergencies AfloatFire, flooding, steering failure, grounding, towing and helicopter rescue.30m
- Crew Health and First Aid BasicsSeasickness, cold, sun and the first aid situations sailors actually meet.25m
- Module assessment
Module 11 · PASSAGE PLANNING
Passage Planning2.3h
- Appraisal: Gathering InformationSOLAS V obligations and the sources every passage plan draws on.25m
- Planning the RouteWaypoints, tidal gates, ports of refuge and contingency thinking.30m
- Preparing Boat and CrewVictualling, briefings, watch systems and pre-departure checks.25m
- Execution and MonitoringKeeping the plan alive underway: logs, fixes and decision points.25m
- A Complete Worked Passage PlanA full example plan for a coastal passage, from appraisal to arrival.35m
- Module assessment
Module 12 · PRACTICAL PREP
Practical Course Preparation1.8h
- What to Expect on the Practical CourseHow a typical practical course runs, and what instructors look for.20m
- The Skills You'll PractiseHelming, sail handling, mooring, MOB drills and skippered passages.30m
- Kit and PackingClothing, footwear and personal kit that actually earns its space.15m
- The Language of the CockpitCommands and responses used aboard, so nothing surprises you.20m
- After the Course: Building ExperienceLogging sea time, chartering, the ICC and the road to Coastal Skipper.20m
- Module assessment