RYA Online Sailing & Navigation Courses

Flexible home-based learning with instructor support

Interactive navigation exercises for all courses.

View the Day Skipper Buoyage Demonstration

Study Anywhere, Anytime

SailNorth provides flexible RYA online courses through Skippers Online, allowing you to study whenever and wherever it suits you.

Courses are ideal for sailors balancing work, family commitments or boating seasons, while still working towards recognised RYA qualifications.

Available courses include:

• RYA Day Skipper Theory
• RYA Yachtmaster Coastal & Offshore Theory
• RYA Ocean Yachtmaster Theory

Each course includes structured lessons, diagrams, animations, quizzes and progress tracking, together with instructor support whenever required.

Training charts, almanacs and course materials are supplied where applicable, and students normally have six months' access with multiple assessment attempts.

What You Will Learn

The online courses follow the recognised RYA syllabus using clear explanations, worked examples and interactive exercises that progressively build confidence in coastal navigation and passage planning.

Students work through approximately thirteen structured modules at their own pace, making the courses particularly suitable during the autumn and winter months or before practical sailing holidays.

Throughout the course, quizzes and revision exercises reinforce learning before students progress to the next topic.

Interactive chart plotting and dead reckoning exercices.

View the Position Plotting Demonstration

Typical Course Topics

Professional Development & Course Enrolment

Many students undertake these online courses as preparation for practical RYA training, charter holidays or as part of the knowledge requirements for MCA commercial qualifications and endorsements.

Where appropriate, SailNorth can arrange RYA invigilated examinations and provide guidance on progressing from online study to classroom or practical training.

Getting Started

Enrolment is available throughout the year, allowing you to begin whenever it best suits your schedule. Progress is automatically saved so lessons can be completed over days, weeks or months.

Whether your objective is chartering abroad, preparing for classroom study or working towards higher RYA qualifications, the online courses provide a well-structured and enjoyable route to success.

Online Course Information & Enrolment

The latest online Radar Simulator demonstration is also available from the enrolment website.

RYA Online Sailing & Navigation Courses | SailNorth