Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Complete the Day Skipper theory
4–8 weeks
Complete the RYA Day Skipper theory course at a recognised centre or online. Learn charts, tides, collision rules and weather. Then plan a real passage on paper.
Proof required
Submit your theory course completion certificate and a written passage plan for a real coastal route.
What gets checked
- Theory completed with an RYA-recognised provider
- Passage plan uses real charts and tides
- Plan includes weather and bolt-holes
Common mistakes
- An unrecognised online course
- A passage plan with no tidal data
- No weather assessment
Powstik Guide
A theory certificate and a real passage plan.
Steps
- Book theory with an RYA-recognised provider.
- Practise chart work and tidal calculations.
- Pick a real coastal route.
- Plan tides, hazards, weather and bolt-holes.
Template
Passage plan Route: Date and tide times: Hazards: Weather forecast source: Bolt-holes (safe havens): Timings:
What gets sent back
- An unrecognised provider.
- No tidal data.
- No weather check.
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Check the provider is RYA-recognised
- Check tidal calculations
- Check safe havens are named
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
Build sea time and logged experience
1–3 months
Build the sea time and experience the practical course asks for. Sail with a qualified skipper and log every trip. Always follow your skipper and the course's safety rules.
Proof required
Submit your logbook showing the sea time and experience the RYA practical course requires, signed by the skippers you sailed with.
What gets checked
- Logbook meets the course prerequisites
- Entries signed by skippers
- Mix of conditions recorded
Common mistakes
- Unsigned log entries
- Sailing beyond your experience
- Falling short of prerequisites
Powstik Guide
A signed logbook that meets the course prerequisites.
Steps
- Check the course's current prerequisites with the centre.
- Crew for qualified skippers.
- Log every trip with conditions.
- Ask each skipper to sign.
Template
| Date | Vessel | Skipper | Hours / miles | Conditions | Signed | |------|--------|---------|---------------|------------|--------|
What gets sent back
- Unsigned entries.
- Prerequisites not met.
- Unsafe solo trips.
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Check signatures
- Check against RYA prerequisites
- Check conditions are varied
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
Earn the Day Skipper practical certificate
5 days
Complete the practical course with an RYA instructor. Skipper passages under their assessment. The certificate confirms you can skipper by day in familiar waters.
Proof required
Submit your RYA Day Skipper practical certificate showing your name and date.
What gets checked
- Official RYA certificate
- Name and date shown
- Practical, not theory only
Common mistakes
- Submitting the theory certificate
- An unrecognised school
- Name mismatch
Powstik Guide
An official RYA Day Skipper practical certificate.
Steps
- Book with an RYA training centre.
- Brush up on knots and chart work first.
- Skipper the passages you're assessed on.
- Save the certificate.
Template
Proof checklist [ ] RYA Day Skipper practical certificate [ ] Name matches profile [ ] Date [ ] Training centre
What gets sent back
- Theory certificate only.
- Unrecognised school.
- Name mismatch.
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Check it's the practical certificate
- Check name and date
- Check the issuing body
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.