Day skipper first steps

[houteiral]

Ahoy gents and lasses:
I am embarking in a Day Skipper course and I was wondering if there are any others in the same position as I am.
I reside in the UK and the course is overseen by the Royal Yachting Association.

I am trying to get to grips with navigation and pilotage at the moment.

anyone with questions, tips, book references.... feel free to add stuff on

Cheers

[nolatom]

I don't know the British system, but teach some in the US and assume this rating is similar to Basic Keelboat skipper here.

I've found Chapman's "Piloting, Seamanship, and Small Boat Handling" to be a good bible for the beginner, as well as a lifetime book for experienced sailors too.

For a quicker read, with more sailing instruction, there's the ASA Basic Keelboat Book. About 120 pages and reader-friendly with lots of pictures.

Sorry I don't know much about what's available in the UK. You can get copies of the above on Amazon or maybe EBay.

And best of luck getting into this great pastime.

[houteiral]

thanks for the reply.
at the moment the only literature I am reading is Navigation Handbook by Tim Bartlett, which is the RYA's recommended book.
Also I bought a book with navigation exercises that came with two training charts, again everything was recommended by the RYA.
I've got two or three weeks before the course starts so I am trying to get ahead before I set foot on the boat.
Also, I have been told that if you have to wait for your skipper or yacht master to give you exercises it will take ages to get your certificates and so on...

[houteiral]

with regards to compatibility of training...so far the only discrepancies I have read about concern the use of different Datum to work out fixed positions but to be honest, most GPS and Plotters today do have automatic conversion modes that you can fidget with.

[jackdale]

There are some multimedia materials that compliment the RYA courses:

RYA, MCA and RNLI Distance Learning Courses - Sailing Courses From Ocean Training

Jack

[houteiral]

thanks for the link sir.
I am hoping the gents at my local marina will provide me with good knowledge at a reasonable price.
Seems to me sailing training doesn't come cheap

[chrondi]

Here is a link to a highly appreciated on-line navigation course:
Advanced navigation courses - sailing schools Greece and the Greek islands
I have followed the RYA curriculum six years ago and I don't think that the course (Day skipper RYA one week practical) has much changed since then. They take for granted that you already know how to sail and navigate, so they concentrate in safety issues (MOB drills, flares, VHF distress signals and the like), berthing/anchoring practice and the coordination of the crew. Remember that skipper doesn't mean just competent helmsman ...
PS: You can also check your knowledge by reading the DK published book "Complete Sailing Manual".

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by chrondi

Here is a link to a highly appreciated on-line navigation course:
Advanced navigation courses - sailing schools Greece and the Greek islands

PS: You can also check your knowledge by reading the DK published book "Complete Sailing Manual".

I will second both of those recommendations.

Also Sailtrain:Training aids for RYA sailing courses. - written for RYA Day Skipper Candidates.