RYA Day Skipper Handbook - Sail

good reference book

I bought this book a couple of years ago but have only just read it as I am revising for the Royal Yachting Association’s day skipper theory assessment. I’ve been doing an online course and this book has given me some extra learning material, which I hope will get me over the line. This book summarises most of what you need to pass the theory assessment and that makes it very useful for revision purposes. It covers anchoring and mooring, emergency procedures, tides, interpreting charts, finding your position, voyage planning and collision avoidance. I imagine that once you’ve passed the assessment, you can use it for reminders. It also covers some practical skills, such as boat handling and mooring as it’s really intended for the day skipper practical course, which I hope to do in the next few months. This edition was first published in 2012 and has been reprinted several times. I’m not sure when or if it’s been updated but the references to GPS and technology seem to be as up to date as the RYA’s Day Skipper Shore Based Notes, which were revised in 2023. It is worth checking that you’re buying the latest edition as things can change rapidly in the sailing world. I would recommend this book to anyone thinking of doing the day skipper courses – theory or practical. It goes well with the RYA’s Day Skipper Shore Based Notes. I’m confident that it’s going to help me pass the theory exam under full sail.

BOOK WAS VERY EASY TO FOLLOW AND I PICKED UP SOME GOOD BASIC TIPS

This was recommended by my sailing school pre practical element and I wish I had purchased it earlier on in my theory course. It is really well written and illustrated, concise and an invaluable aid to any aspiring Day Slipper.

If you are considering studying the RYA Day Skipper Theory course and you are a relatively inexperienced sailor (such as me) or even if you're experienced, I would recommend this book as a 'must' to accompany the aide memoir RYA Day Skipper book (Day Skipper: Introduction to Navigation Theory, Safety and Seamanship) that you'll probably receive with your course materials. As you would expect, it covers all of the ground required but in much more depth without assuming much prior knowledge and in a clear and simple way.

Very informative book for the novice sailor. I'd recommend this book for anyone who is going on a flotilla holiday who has little or no experience. Simple instructions & information for all ages. I was recommended this book by someone who had it in his kit, who had sailed around the world. It also suited me who had sailed on the Solent once.

A bit basic but good reminders for starters

I works well as a prep for your practical course - the instructor should refer to it by page (e.g. we're going to come alongside the pontoon as shown on page 57...). However, you'll get more practical use in the long term from another popular skipper's handbook as this isn't a very good quick-reference.

Not only quite useful for those doing the RYA certification, but an amazing reference for all weekend sailors who need to have a good and no-frills book to support both marina and sea manoeuvres.

Prompt delivery. Excellent text, examples and clear instructions and advice.

It’s to the point and helps me better understand what I’m taught at the in person classes.

Perfect book to catch up on some sailing rules and techniques! Well described and it covers all topics! can't have a better sailing guidebook in my opinion.

I bought this book prior to my day skipper course and unfortunately it was a waste of money. I started reading part 1 (Practical skills) and realized that its content is just an outdated version of what you can read in the competent crew book (2014 edition). For example, on using winches, this Sail book states: always have your thumbs uppermost. While the CC book states: ¨Keep hands and fingers away from winches. Have your little finger nearest the winch¨. This is also the way I was taught during the CC course as well. To be fair, in part 1 you also find some new material on boat handling and mooring, but the organization of the subject is so poor, that you really have to struggle to make sense of what you read and put it in context. I am now struggling reading part 2 on Navigation and tides, and here I have even more trouble, as this part is completely new for me and the book lacks definitions. eg Latitude and Longitude are not defined and the book just states: Latitude is measured N or S of the equator. Longitude is measured E or W from the Greenwhich Meridian.