If you’re considering taking the RYA Day Skipper Practical course, chances are you’ve already fallen in love with sailing — and now you’re ready to take the next step.

But one question naturally comes up:

“Am I actually ready for Day Skipper?”

It’s a smart question — and an important one. This course marks the transition from learning to sail to learning to lead.

Let’s break it down clearly so you can decide with confidence.

What Is the RYA Day Skipper Practical Course?

The Royal Yachting Association Day Skipper Practical course is designed to teach you how to skipper a yacht on short coastal passages by day.

During the course, you’ll learn to:

• Skipper and manage a small crew
• Plan and execute short passages
• Pilotage in and out of harbours
• Moor, anchor and handle a yacht confidently
• Make safe decisions based on weather and conditions

At schools like Mallorca Sailing Academy, you’ll typically complete the course over five intensive days — gaining hands-on experience in real Mediterranean conditions.

The Official Requirements

The RYA recommends:

• 5 days sea time
• 100 nautical miles
• 4 night hours onboard
• Completion of Day Skipper Theory

But here’s the important thing:

What really matters is whether you’re comfortable with the fundamentals.

You’re Probably Ready If…

You’ve Completed Competent Crew (Or Equivalent Experience)

If you’ve completed RYA Competent Crew or spent a week actively sailing — steering, sail handling, mooring — you’re on the right track.

You don’t need to be perfect.

You do need to be comfortable:

• Helming on different points of sail
• Basic sail trim
• Rope handling and knots
• Moving safely around the boat

If you still feel unsure about these basics, another week sailing first may help build confidence.

You Understand Navigation Basics

Day Skipper shifts your focus from “doing” to “thinking ahead.”

You should feel comfortable with:

• Tidal heights and streams, vital around the UK but relevant everywhere on the sea.
• Chartwork and position fixing understanding charts and how the channels and hazards are depicted
• Bearings and pilotage planning
• Basic collision regulations often called rules of the road
• Markers and buoys

If you’ve completed Day Skipper Theory recently and it makes sense (rather than feeling like distant school maths), you’re in good shape.

You’re Ready to Take Responsibility

This is the big one.

Day Skipper is not just about boat handling — it’s about decision-making.

You’ll be expected to:

• Brief your crew
• Choose safe plans
• Adjust for changing conditions
• Take responsibility for the boat

If the idea of being “in charge”  feels natural (even if it feels slightly intimidating), you’re likely ready.

If it terrifies you — that’s normal too. The course is designed to support you through that transition.

Common Doubts (That Are Totally Normal)

“I’m not confident enough.”

Confidence comes from doing — not before doing. The instructor is there to guide and teach

“I’ll be the least experienced person there.”

Most students feel this way. In reality, groups are usually at a pretty similar level despite often coming from a wide age group

“What if I make mistakes?”

You will. That’s the point. It’s a training course — not an exam, try not to crash the boat though.

When You Might Want More Experience First

Consider more sailing beforehand if:

• You still struggle with basic helming
• You haven’t sailed for several years
• You haven’t finished the Day Skipper Theory
• You feel overwhelmed by navigation using charts
• Tides and weather predictions are a blank page

A short refresher week or mile-building trip can make a big difference.  See if you can grab a few hours in the water with a friend or local sailing club, evening races are often a great way to do this and rarely taken too seriously.

Why Mallorca Is a Great Place to do the Course

Training in Mallorca offers:

• Great weather, sailing is always more fun in the sun
• Line-of-sight coastal navigation, visibility is usually great
• Predictable weather and limited tidal range
• Beautiful anchorages and the scenery in general
• Challenging but manageable pilotage

At Mallorca Sailing Academy, courses are run with small crews, 5 people or less, meaning you get plenty of time skippering the yacht — not just watching.

For many sailors from the UK and Northern Europe, it’s the perfect balance of challenge and enjoyment and a great way to enjoy learning especially in the early or late part of the season.

The Real Question

Instead of asking:

“Am I good enough?”

Ask:

“Am I ready to learn and grow as a sailor?”

If you:

• Have basic sailing experience
• Helming basics and sail handling experience
• Understand navigation fundamentals
• Want to take the next step toward skippering

Then yes — you’re likely ready.

And if you’re still unsure, speak to the team. An honest conversation about your experience will quickly clarify whether this is the right moment.

Ready to Take the Helm?

Day Skipper is often the turning point in a sailor’s journey.  It is a doorway that allows you to start experiencing sailing with confidence in your ability make decisions that every voyage, however short, throws at you.

It’s where confidence begins to replace hesitation.

And there’s nothing quite like sailing away from harbour knowing you planned the passage — and you’re in command.

If that sounds exciting rather than terrifying…

You’re probably ready.

But remember, when you pass, (and we really hope you do ), this is the start of your journey, despite the euphoria of passing the course you only have one more week’s experience than you had before you started, time to put the information you learned to practice.