RYA Day Skipper Handbook: Sail

by Sara Hopkinson

Genres: Sports

Paperback

First published February 1, 2011

Reviews

[Ian Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Luke Barrows · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 - Covers the theory and practical requirements of the RYA Day Skipper course. Comprehensive, not overly wordy, and is excellently illustrated. I feel the section on chart work could be improved by having a few more worked up examples.