Daysail Skipper Course is your first step to becoming a confident skipper. The course is designed for beginners and those with little experience. May sound like too basic, but whether on a daysail cruise or across the ocean, you will be using sailing terminology, maneuvers and safety procedures you learn at this level. The aim is to learn how to operate the boat under sail and under power with some basic cruising skills. The emphasis is on proper techniques and safety.

By the end of the course a candidate should be able to cruise safely in familiar waters, as both skipper and crew, of a sloop rigged keel boat of 6 to 10 meters, in moderate wind and sea conditions by day.

Participation

14+ teenagers and adults of all ages. There are no required prerequisites, although you should be comfortable being on water. Although younger boys and girls can learn many sailing skills, it may be a big burden for young people to take responisibilty for a crewed boat venturing far from land.

Course Curriculum

Every sailing school providing courses leading to Canadian Yachting Association certification uses the curriculum set by the association.

• Terminology.
• Sailing gear.
• Maneuvering under sails: upwind, downwind, tacking, gybing, reefing, heaving to.
• Maneuvering commands.
• Maneuvering under power. Docking and casting off.
• Anchoring.
• Safety aboard sailing vessel.
• Rules of the road.
• Weather conditions and its impact on a sailing trip. Obtaining forecast.
• Responsibilites of the skipper and the crew.
• Handling common emergencies.
• Lines and knots.
• Checking the boat before departure. Snugging down upon return.

For details visit the CYA web site.
Canadian Yachting Association - Basic Cruising Standard

Although the list of the ashore objectives is longer than of the afloat, time spent to teach and practice afloat skills takes 80% of the time.

The Exam

To get the certificate you must pass both ashore and afloat tests. Ashore knowledge test consists of set of questions and you must achieve 70%. It could be written at the end of the course or some other day. If you do not pass you will get a second chance minimum 14 days later. The afloat skills are evaluated on the on-going basis. Nobody became a professional skipper after a few days on the water, but you should be able to safely operate the boat.

Pleasure Craft Operator Card Exam - A Boating License

You can also take Pleasure Craft Operator Card Exam (PCOC) at the end of the course. By completing our course your knowledge will far exceed the requirements for getting PCOC, however you still have to pass PCOC exam.

Price

The price for the course is CND$660 (400 Euros).
Included are:
- Instructions, exam and CYA registration fees;
- Food and non-alcoholic drinks;
- Four days (three nights) on-board accomodation;
- Fuel, water, port taxes, etc;
- CYA Log book and seal;
- CYA "Basic Cruising Skills" text book;

School Policy

Please review our policy here