RYA Navigation Theory courses
Imagine being capable and confident enough to take your friends and family out on dinghy in coastal waters such as the beautiful Chichester Harbour, or develop your skills to charter a yacht for a day, a weekend or even on holiday. We can support you on the start of this journey with RYA Navigation Theory courses, there are three levels:
Essential Navigation and Seamanship Course
This is an introduction to navigation and safety for anyone new to boating: sailors, and powerboaters alike. Particularly useful for those using coastal waters and harbours such as Chichester. (see below)
Day Skipper Theory Course
A comprehensive introduction to chartwork navigation, meteorology and the basics of seamanship. Invaluable for learning how to start making decisions on board and invaluable if you are considering taking the Day Skipper practical course to enable you to charter. (see below)
Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory Course
Ideal for candidates for the Coastal Skipper practical course & Yachtmaster Offshore exam. Some revision of the Day Skipper shorebased course plus more advanced skills in offshore & coastal navigation by day & night, pilotage & meteorology. (see below)
If you are interested in any of these courses please let the Chief Navigation Instructor via the contact page.
Essential Navigation and Seamanship Course
RYA Training Centre: Crawley Mariners Yacht Club
Venue: This is a shorebased course, which is presented in the CMYC clubhouse or occasionally online via Instructor led video link
Required experience: None
Minimum duration: 16 hours.
Minimum age: None
Content: Charts and Publications, safety, engine checks, buoyage, tidal awareness, visual and electronic navigation, pilotage, rules of the road, anchoring, weather forecasts, passage planning
Course materials and equipment: Books are included in the course fee
Certificate issuing criteria: Basic knowledge of navigation and safety
Dates: TBD
Fee: £TBD
Day Skipper Theory
RYA Training Centre: Crawley Mariners Yacht Club
Venue: This is a shorebased course, which is presented in the CMYC clubhouse or occasionally online via Instructor led video link
Required experience: Some practical experience is desirable.
Minimum duration: 40 hours plus ‘homework exercises’ and exam time.
Minimum age: None
Content: Seamanship, coastal navigation and pilotage, chartwork, electronic charts, position fixing, plotting a course to steer, weather forecasting and meteorology, tides, collision regulations, seamanship, coastal navigation and pilotage, chartwork, electronic charts, position fixing, plotting a course to steer, weather forecasting and meteorology, tides, collision regulations
Course materials and equipment: Books are included in the course fee, plotting devices and dividers are available at an extra cost
Certificate issuing criteria: Background knowledge to skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day.
Dates: 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st Jan & 7th Feb 2026 (possible extension 14th & 21st Feb 2026)
Fee: £200 (TBC) (this course is only open to club members)
Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster
RYA Training Centre: Crawley Mariners Yacht Club
Venue: This is a shorebased course, which is presented in the CMYC clubhouse or occasionally online via Instructor led video link.
Required experience: Knowledge to the level of Day Skipper Shorebased.
Minimum duration: 40 hours plus ‘homework exercises’ and exam time.
Minimum age: None
Content: 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.
Course materials and equipment: Books are included in the course fee, plotting devices and dividers are available at an extra cost
Certificate issuing criteria: Background knowledge to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day & night.
Dates: TBD
Fee: £TBD
