We offer a 5-day course as well as a combined 2-day and 3-day Day Skipper course. You will need to have completed the 2-day course first in order to book and take part in the 3-day course.
About the course
The 2-day Day Skipper course is an introduction to skippering on yachts. You will learn skills like sailing onto mooring buoys and parking the yacht in the marina. These two days are day sailing from the Town Quay in Southampton, which means you will return to Southampton each night.
The 3-day course is where you will take the skills you have learnt on from the Day Skipper Theory course and put them into practice on a sailing adventure. You will be completing a passage plan with things like 'course to steer' and tidal stream calculations. You also do a pilotage into a new port using bearings, leading lights and tidal height calculations. You will spend two evenings in different ports around the Solent.
The 5-day course is for aspiring skippers with some yachting experience and basic navigation and sailing skills.
Learn to skipper a short passage with the instructor on hand to give advice and encouragement and ensure your safety. Experience being in charge, taking credit when it all goes well and being responsible when it doesn't.
Before this course, if you are not sure that your sailing is up to speed, a good way to learn is on an RYA Level 2 dinghy course. This will teach you to sail around a course and control the boat's speed.
If it's help with navigation that you need, you should take our Day Skipper shore-based course. Expected pre-course experience to attend this course is 5 days sailing, 100 miles, 4 nights on board a sailing yacht. Theory to the level of Day Skipper shore based is assumed and it is recommended that you attend the RYA Day Skipper Theory course before attending this course.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss whether this is the right course for you, email the Watersports team at southamptonsport@soton.ac.uk.
Dates and times
2 day courses run from 9am to 5pm each day.
3 day courses run from 9am Saturday to 4pm Monday (staying onboard).
5 day courses run from 9am Monday to 4pm Friday (staying onboard).
Day Skipper - Part 1
Day Skipper - Part 2
2 days
3 days
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
11 to 12 October 2025
Day Skipper - Part 2
:
18 to 20 October 2025
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
22 to 23 November 2025
Day Skipper - Part 2
:
29 November to 1 December 2025
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
17 to 18 January 2026
Day Skipper - Part 2
:
24 to 26 January 2026
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
14 to 15 February 2026
Day Skipper - Part 2
:
21 to 23 February 2026
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
11 to 12 April 2026
Day Skipper - Part 2
:
18 to 20 April 2026
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
9 to 10 May 2026
Day Skipper - Part 2
:
16 to 18 May 2026
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
6 to 7 June 2026
Day Skipper - Part 2
:
13 to 15 June 2026
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
1 to 2 August 2026
Day Skipper - Part 2
:
8 to 10 August 2026
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
12 to 13 September 2026
Day Skipper - Part 2
:
19 to 21 September 2026
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
17 to 18 October 2026
Day Skipper - Part 2
:
24 to 26 October 2026
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
7 to 8 November 2026
Day Skipper - Part 2
:
14 to 16 November 2026
Day Skipper - 5 days
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
6 to 10 October 2025
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
10 to 14 November 2025
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
9 to 13 March 2026
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
27 April to 1 May 2026
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
25 to 29 May 2026
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
22 to 26 June 2026
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
20 to 24 July 2026
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
17 to 21 August 2026
Day Skipper - Part 1
:
5 to 9 October 2026
Prices
Our courses are available to everyone, but Southampton Sport members can book at a discounted rate.
In 2025 parts 1 and 2 must be booked at the same time, so the cost will be the same as for the 5 day course.
Membership type
Day Skipper Part 1 (2 Days)
Day Skipper Part 2 (3 Days)
Day Skipper (5 Days)
Membership type
:
Southampton Sports Membership
Day Skipper Part 1 (2 Days)
:
£202.50
Day Skipper Part 2 (3 Days)
:
£303.75
Day Skipper (5 Days)
:
£506.25
Membership type
:
Non-Member
Day Skipper Part 1 (2 Days)
:
£270
Day Skipper Part 2 (3 Days)
:
£405
Day Skipper (5 Days)
:
£675
Included in the cost of the course are:
certificates upon successful completion
use of lifejackets and lifelines
morning breakfasts, snack lunches and tea/coffee/soft drinks
2 evening meals on board (5 day courses) or 1 evening meal onboard (3 day courses)
Not included in the cost of the course are:
other evening meals
mooring fees for berths other than Southampton Town Quay Marina
Cruising Scheme Logbook is available for purchase on the course for £7.99
You can cancel or reschedule a booking by contacting the Jubilee Sport and Recreation Centre. Your options depend on how much notice you give us. Notice periods are based on the date of your booking, not on the start time.
Notice given
Refund options
Notice given
:
7 days or more
Refund options
:
Full refund or reschedule to another date
Notice given
:
Between 48 hours and 7 days
Refund options
:
Full refund if you present a doctor’s note stating why you can't complete your booking
Notice given
:
Less than 48 hours
Refund options
:
No refund available
When we might cancel your booking
We might need to cancel a booking if:
the weather means we cannot safely run a course
staff members are sick and their absence cannot be covered
we cannot meet our minimum student-instructor ratio
If we need to cancel your booking, we’ll always try to give you at least 24 hours' notice. We’ll also offer to reschedule your booking.
