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RYA shorebased theory sailing courses

Greek Sails - Poros Yachting Academy. Information on shorebased sail training to help you with the practical sailing courses we run.

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RYA shorebased theory sail training courses

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The RYA theory (shorebased) sail training courses are designed to complement the practical sailing courses.

The shorter courses cover subjects that are important to give students a rounded knowledge, while the longer courses, Day Skipper (shorebased) for example, giving essential background information for the practical courses.

Some people suggest it isn’t necessary to complete the theory courses, however, we do not recommend you skip these courses in the hope of ‘simply picking it up’ during the practical courses; you will have enough to think about without trying to work out the theory at the same time as completing the practical courses.

Basic Navigation & Safety (shorebased) course

This course provides a basic introduction to navigation and safety for anyone new to boating.

Basic Navigation & Safety (shorebased) course details
Previous experience required: Some practical experience desirable
Assumed knowledge: None
Duration of course: 2 days (16 hours, plus "homework")
Recommended reading: None
RYA details on the Basic Navigation & Safety (shorebased) course

Day Skipper (shorebased) course

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to chart work, navigation, meteorology and the basics of seamanship. You will learn how to make decisions on board regarding the safe passage of the vessel you are skippering.

Although not a mandatory requirement for completing the Day Skipper (practical) course, we do not recommend you skip this theory course. Some sailing schools happily omit this and believe you will pick it all up during the practical course, however, once you have completed this course you will understand how wrong this is!

Day Skipper (shorebased) course details
Previous experience required: Some practical experience desirable
Duration of course: 5 days (40 hours, 2 exam papers, plus “homework”)
Recommended reading:
RYA details on the Day Skipper (shorebased) course

Yachtmaster Coastal & Yachtmaster Offshore (shorebased) course

This course is the most advanced RYA sailing theory course and combines theory for both Yachtmaster Coastal (previously known as ‘Coastal Skipper’) and Yachtmaster Offshore. It is an advanced course in navigation and meteorology for candidates aiming to take their Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore certificates of competence.

Yachtmaster Coastal & Yachtmaster Offshore (shorebased) course details
Previous experience required: Day Skipper (shorebased) course
Duration of course: 6 days (40 hours, 3 exam papers, plus "homework")
Recommended reading:
RYA details on the Yachtmaster Coastal & Yachtmaster Offshore (shorebased) course

Marine Radio Short Range Certificate course (VHF Radio)

If you operate a marine radio (fixed or handheld) you are required by law to hold an operator’s licence. This course teaches you the procedures for the safe operation of a radio and gain a Short Range Certificate.

Note that although this is a pre-requisite for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster examinations and we show it as such, any skipper wishing to use a VHF radio is required to hold an operator’s license. Consequently this course is applicable to anyone wishing to skipper a yacht irrespective of certification level.

If you do not hold an operator’s license you should not use the VHF radio! Indeed in some countries you are not permitted to skipper a yacht, even on flotilla, unless you hold a VHF operator’s license.

Marine Radio Short Range Certificate course (VHF Radio) details
Previous experience required: Knowledge of the phonetic alphabet is helpful
Theoretical knowledge: Successful completion of the RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Shorebased or equivalent course. For students requiring additional assistance with areas of the shorebased course, some extra tuition can be given, but this is no substitute for being properly prepared before you arrive on Poros.
Assumed knowledge: None - although learning the phonetic alphabet is useful
Duration of course: 1 day (8 hours minimum)
Recommended reading: RYA VHF Radio (inc.GMDSS) (G22)
RYA details on the Marine Radio Short Range Certificate (VHF Radio) course

Send an enquiry about RYA theory sail training courses in the sun with Greek Sails


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