Free guides Day Skipper theory
Free sailing theory guides
Eight free guides to the parts of the Day Skipper theory syllabus people search for most, each with a straight answer at the top, a diagram, and a free tool to try it: the docking game, the animated knots or the taster exam. No account needed.
- Day Skipper theory practice questionsExam practice
Ten questions with answers and explanations, one from each of ten syllabus topics.
- IALA buoyage explainedBuoyage
Lateral, cardinal, isolated danger, safe water and special marks, with a drawing of each.
- How to spring off a pontoonBoat handling
Bow spring and forward gear to swing the stern out, step by step, and when to leave stern first.
- Docking a catamaranBoat handling
Twin engines, windage and pivoting in her own length, on and off a pontoon.
- The rule of twelfthsTides
Height of tide hour by hour, with a worked example, a chart and where the rule fails.
- How to make a VHF Mayday callVHF radio
The DSC alert, the call and message in order, a worked example, and cancelling a false alert.
- COLREGs basics: who gives wayRules of the road
Sailing boats, power, overtaking, crossing and the order of who keeps clear of whom.
- Sailing knots every skipper needsRopework
The eight knots, what each is for, and the rope they are tied in.
Three free tools, no account
Dock a monohull or a catamaran in the docking game, watch the eight knots tied step by step, or sit the 10-question taster exam.
The whole course for £12 a month
These guides are a sample. The course covers the full Day Skipper theory syllabus in 18 modules, each with a narrated film and quiz, plus the 50-question mock exam and the berthing and anchoring games. Module 01 and the knots module are free; everything else is £12 a month or £79 a year. Sail Academy is not affiliated with the RYA and does not issue an RYA certificate.
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