What boating skills should you have before you buy a yacht?

Many people dream of owning a yacht and sailing off into the blue yonder. What boating skills should you have before you buy a yacht?

Handling a yacht requires a range of boating skills that enables a sailor to sail, navigate and berth a yacht safely. If you are thinking of buying, here are a few questions to consider before you make a purchase.

Boating skills questionnaire

Am I familiar with how to sail and manoeuvre a sailing yacht?
Do I know all about sail controls, winches and reefing systems?
Can I sail a boat on all points of sail confidently?
Am I ok with rope work and knot tying?
Can I do an engine check?
Could I spot a potential engine problem before it is too late?
Do I know how to prepare a passage plan for a day trip?
Can I plot a course to my next port of call?
Can I manoeuvre my boat out of a crowded marina with a strong tide running?
Do I know the meanings of all the channel markers?
What does a North Cardinal mark look like and what does it mean?
What is the significance of a buoy with a yellow light?
Do I know the collision regs?
Do I have a VHF Short Range Certificate (SRC) ?
What channel should I be monitoring for the Coastguard?
Do I know how to convert a magnetic compass course to true?
Can I plot an estimated position if my GPS fails?
How are my meteorological skills – do I know how to read a pressure chart?
How much chain will I to need to let out when anchoring in 5 metres of depth?
A crew member falls seriously ill when I am out at sea, what do I do?
What training have I had?

Should you be unsure about any of these questions and topics, then it would be wise to get some training to improve your boating skills before you commit to buying. The usual way to do this is to sign up for a liveaboard sailing course. Ideally, it is best to chose a location close to where you plan to sail most.

Boat training

A good place to start searching for a sailing course in the USA is the American Sailing Association (ASA) website https://asa.com

In the UK, it is best to check out the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) website rya.org.uk . The RYA has boat training centres all over the world and we recommend a few of these on our website: here.

The RYA sail cruising courses

RYA sail cruising courses prepare sailors for anything from getting started in sailing to living on board, cruising down the coast or venturing further offshore. Below is a brief summary of what training courses are on offer if you want to improve your boating skills.

RYA Day Skipper

RYA Day Skipper courses consist of a shore based theory course followed by a practical course at sea with a minimum duration of 4 days.

The theory course is taught over 40 hours and covers coastal navigation, pilotage, chart work, weather forecasting, collision regulations, safety procedures and more. This course can be done either online or in a training school classroom. Either way, it requires students to put in a fair amount of homework and fitting this in to an already busy schedule can be quite challenging. There are two exams at the end of the course.

Once you have passed the theory course, then you will be ready to move on to the Day Skipper practical course out on the water. The aim of the course is to learn navigation, pilotage and boat handling up to the level required to skipper a yacht by day safely. This really is the minimum skill level you should be aiming for as a skipper of a small yacht.

RYA Coastal Skipper

RYA Coastal Skipper is a more demanding practical course to consider once you can handle a boat with confidence close to the shore. This course will stretch your abilities and covers more advanced pilotage, boat handling and how to deal with emergency situations.

You will also learn how to prepare a detailed pilotage plan by day and night, advanced weather forecasting, how to handle a yacht in heavy weather and strong winds.

VHF Radio Short Range Certificate (SRC)

Anyone who operates a VHF radio is required by law to have a Short Range Certificate. The RYA administer one day courses which includes a practical and written exam.

This course covers radio operation, use of frequencies and channels, emergency procedures, Digital Selective Calling (DSC), Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), Emergency Position indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB) and Search and Rescue (SART).

In summary

Sailing is a tremendous pastime and building your sailing knowledge and experience is all part of the fun. It is wise to spend as much time as it takes to master your boating skills before you commit to buying.

If you have limited boating experience, personal skill advancement is critical
Research boat training schemes and book yourself onto a training course for your skill level
Practise your boating skills on the water whenever you get a chance and be prepared to spend time studying ashore
Make safety your top priority at sea

Check out a selection of RYA training schools in UK and Europe on Safe Skipper here.

Keel design – options to consider when choosing a yacht

Keel design is constantly evolving and nowhere is this more apparent than in modern racing yachts such as the Imoca Open 60...

Fire safety advice at sea from the Marine & Coastguard Agency

Fire safety advice for boaters Top fire safety advice at sea: 1. Fit smoke alarms, carbon monoxide and gas detectors 2. Turn...

Engine failure at sea – common causes and how to avoid them

Many engine failures are caused by lack of maintenance, resulting in fuel filter blockages, water pump failures, overheating and other breakdowns. Indeed, one of the most common reasons for marine rescue service call outs is for one of the most basic reasons possible – boats that have run out of fuel.

Sail care and maintenance – Part 2

At the end of the sailing season sails should be washed and inspected carefully for damage, including small tears, stitching failure, ultraviolet damage, stains and mildew.

Sailing to windward – how to take advantage of wind shifts

For most sailors, sailing upwind is the most exhilarating point of sail as you tack your way to your destination. Sailing to windward is a bit like zig-zagging your way up a mountain road through a series of hairpin bends – great fun but also calling for concentration and hard work.

Weather forecasting resources and tips

All competent sailors need to have a good basic understanding of how to interpret a weather forecast. They also need to be able to interpret the actual conditions they are experiencing.

Sailing into fog – being prepared and staying safe

Most skippers will sensibly delay their departure, if fog is forecast. However, if fog begins to form when you are at sea it is important to be prepared, and know what precautions to take, to help make your vessel detectable or visible in fog and keep the crew safe.

Boat plumbing maintenance & troubleshooting

A boat’s fresh water system needs annual maintenance to keep it in good condition. Some boats have far more complex systems than others, with pressurised hot and cold water, associated pumps, an accumulator, calorifier and pressure valves, all to keep a boat owner busy.

Boat maintenance log

Keeping a boat maintenance log is an ideal way of reminding owners what needs to be done to a boat and when. Read on for some tips,...

Steel hull maintenance

A steel boat owner’s biggest enemy is corrosion. You don’t have to worry about osmosis or rotting timbers, instead rust is the number one issue that will keep you awake at night.

Marine diesel exhaust checks

You should inspect the exhaust system for corrosion damage regularly, especially around the injection bend. If you have noticed the engine exhaust smoking a lot during the sailing season this can also indicate a number of potential problems.

Know your Navlights & Shapes – essential for all skippers

Know your Navlights & Shapes International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (ColRegs) Anyone who is...

An explanation of the IALA maritime buoyage systems – IALA A and IALA B

What are the differences between the two IALA buoyage systems, IALA Region A and IALA Region B, and where are they used? As recently as the 1970s...

ColRegs Nav Lights & Shapes, Rules Of The Road and IALA Buoys Apps

ColRegs Nav Lights & Shapes, Rules Of The Road and IALA Buoys Apps Make Learning Rules on iPhone, iPad, iPod and Android...

Jester Challenge 2022 – Sailing single handed from Plymouth UK to the Azores: Part 8 – Arriving at the Azores

Jester Challenge – A modern experiment in old-fashioned self-reliance, self sufficiency, and personal responsibility. This is the eighth of a 10-part post where solo sailor, Bernie Branfield, shares his first-hand account of his single-handed, 2022 Jester Challenge, from Plymouth, UK to the Azores, in his 26′ Invicta Mk2, Louisa.

Seasickness – how can you prevent it?

Seasickness is a common problem at sea and affects both seasoned sailors and novices. What are the causes and symptoms of seasickness?...

Tidal terms and definitions

Getting to grips with tidal terms and definitions can seem a little daunting, even to the most experienced sailors! Here we look at some of the key terms and definitions associated with the language of tides.

Keeping boat records and doing checks

A boat’s records should provide information about maintenance schedules, when major work was done and when equipment was replaced or added to the boat. Without this information you are left guessing when things are likely to need replacing in the future and also what the costs are likely to be.

Antifouling for leisure boats – Part 2

To prepare for antifouling, as soon as your boat has been lifted out and pressure washed, you need to check all the surfaces of the hull below the waterline, remove any remaining barnacles and check for blisters.

Steel and Aluminium Hulls

The two metals used for hull construction are steel and aluminium. These are both very strong materials and will last a long time as long as they are cared for, which primarily means protecting steel boats from rust and aluminium boats from electrolytic action.