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.

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.

Sail boat rig checks – Part 1

Sailing boat rigs need to be checked regularly to reduce the risk of rig failure at sea. In part one of Sail boat rig checks we run through a series of useful checks that owners and skippers can carry out.

First Aid Afloat – jellyfish stings

Wherever you are boating in the world I am sure you will be using a pilot guide to aid your navigation. Often in the...

ColRegs when sailing single handed

Don’t neglect the Colregs when sailing single handed Sailing single-handed represents several challenges for skippers, not least how to...

Top Ten Tips For Learning The ColRegs Boating Rules Of The Road

Colregs Boating Rules Of The Road Skippers struggle to learn and remember the ColRegs Yachtmaster and Day Skipper course...

How to tackle osmosis

Many owners of old GRP boats live in fear of osmosis, but what exactly is osmosis and what can be done about it? Osmosis comes about...

Hull inspection – the annual checks

With the boat ashore for the winter it is time to do a hull inspection - the annual checks. Are there any scratches and chips in the...

Boat surveys

A full boat survey assesses the condition of the hull, mechanical gear and means of propulsion. The survey is carried out with the boat...

Keel maintenance and repair – Part 1

Keels are designed to act as underwater foils that generate lift as the boat moves through the water, counteracting the leeward force of the wind and enabling the boat to sail closer to the wind. Keel maintenance and repair is essential for the performance of your boat.

Antifouling for leisure boats – Part 1

Boats that are kept afloat can very quickly become a home for small marine organisms such as barnacles, weed and slime. Applying an antifouling paint to your hull is necessary to protect it from these micro-organisms, as a fouled hull can cause problems and will slow down a boat’s maximum speed considerably if left unchecked.

VHF DSC radio – how best to communicate at sea

There are many ways to communicate with others at sea. What makes the VHF DSC radio the best form of short range...

Avoiding collisions at sea – how to stay safe on the water

Boats have many blind spots, including the headsails of sailing boats. Always keep a lookout, stay safe and remember that...

Pleasure craft safety equipment recommendations

Safety equipment is an important part of boat preparation and it is advisable for all pleasure craft skippers to check their vessel is...

Understanding your boat’s compass

Article submitted by Mike Rossiter, Certificated Compass Adjuster. Since the magnetic compass was first used by the Chinese...

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...

Tools and spares for your boat

It is wise to have a comprehensive and well-organised tool kit and a supply of spares for your boat. This is both for routine...

Passage Planning Advice & Safety for skippers

Passage planning helps you to: • Decide where to go • Calculate how long it will take to get there • Avoid bad weather •...

Understanding marine sealants & adhesives

Sealants, adhesives and adhesive sealantsThere is a bewildering variety of sealants, adhesives and even adhesive sealants available for...

First Aid Afloat – how to deal with a fracture at sea

First Aid Afloat A closed fracture does not break through the skin. An open fracture is when the bone punctures it. A...

A five day sailing cruise of the Solent, UK

Welcome to our virtual Solent sailing cruise – a five day sail in the south of England from Bosham Quay in Chichester...

Boating Rules of the Road – International ColRegs

International ColRegs Rule 7: Risk of Collision Anyone who is responsible for a vessel at sea, from the...

Essential boat engine checklist

Boat engine checklist Engine oil level check Even if you have checked it previously, confirming the engine oil level is up...

The VHF DSC Radio jargon buster

AIS - Automatic Identification System This system is used by shipping. It allows another vessel or coast station to use...

Leaking decks

Leaking decks are perceived as a nuisance by some boat owners, but if leaks are ignored a much more serious situation may well be developing, especially in the case of boats with balsa or plywood deck cores. So deck leaks do need to be investigated and dealt with.