Assuming some practical sailing experience, the shorebased Day Skipper course introduces navigation to the potential skipper.

There is much information that can be gained from nautical charts, so being able to read one and understand what it all means is a major part of navigation. Students will learn to how to fix their position using Latitude and Longitude, measure distances, plot compass bearings ie. 3 point fix, shape a course to steer, calculate an estimated position and much more.

Bouyage provides the nautical equivalent of signposts, with each type of bouy having a different colour scheme and meaning. The 'rules of the road' or Colregs as they are better known keep us safe from collisions at sea. Whilst day shapes and lights help identify different types of vessels and their work operations or potential constraints.

Entering or leaving a marina can be a daunting experience, especially if you have no prior knowledge of the location, so pilotage techniques along with tidal height calculations will help ascertain the correct time window in which to enter or depart by reducing the risk of running aground.

Passage planning ties in all the above elements and is crucial if the journey is to be success, master the planning process, avoid hazards, calculate tidal effects and even come up with a pretty accurate ETA. 

The course is taught over 5 days and costs 400 Euros with lunch provided.

Not sure which course is right for you, read our Course Advisor notes.

Interested in solving navigational challenges, learning more about sailing theory and how to apply it all to real situations- enquire now for course dates and availability or Skype call / Instant Message: go-n-sail

UK cheap call 0872 426 0837 or Spain - 0034 695 326 184