Advanced navigation and meteorology
The syllabus emphasis is position fixing, course shaping, tidal knowledge, almanacs, electronic position-finding equipment, forecasts, weather systems, and barometer use.
Syllabus guide
RYA Coastal Skipper theory syllabus checklist
Direct answer
Use this independent checklist to plan revision across the 17 Coastal Skipper theory topic areas. It follows the advanced knowledge areas described by RYA course information and common shorebased syllabus outlines, with a practical focus on coastal passage-making. Read public lesson articles across the syllabus, try the complete free modules, or add guided quizzes, flashcards, progress, tools, and mock exams.
- Course
- Coastal Skipper
- Format
- Syllabus guide with checklist and module links
- Review focus
- Advanced navigation and meteorology and Use module order as a route
- Independence
- Independent revision aid; not affiliated with or endorsed by the RYA
Use this independent checklist to plan revision across the 17 Coastal Skipper theory topic areas. It follows the advanced knowledge areas described by RYA course information and common shorebased syllabus outlines, with a practical focus on coastal passage-making.
Read public lesson articles across the syllabus, try the complete free modules, or add guided quizzes, flashcards, progress, tools, and mock exams.
Checklist
Checkable 17-topic revision checklist
Use this independent revision structure to plan study and check coverage. It is not an official RYA syllabus publication.
Foundations
1. Nautical TermsModulePublic lesson
2. RopeworkModulePublic lesson
3. AnchorworkModulePublic lesson
4. SafetyModulePublic lesson
17. Marine EnvironmentModulePublic lesson
Rules and safety
5. COLREGsModulePublic lesson
15. Restricted VisibilityModulePublic lesson
12. Visual Aids to NavigationModulePublic lesson
Calculations and navigation
6. Position, Course & SpeedModulePublic lesson
7. Charts & PublicationsModulePublic lesson
8. Drawing InstrumentsModulePublic lesson
9. CompassModulePublic lesson
10. ChartworkModulePublic lesson
11. Tides & Tidal StreamsModulePublic lesson
Practical planning
13. MeteorologyModulePublic lesson
14. Passage PlanningModulePublic lesson
16. PilotageModulePublic lesson
Use module order as a route
Work from terms and safety into COLREGs, chartwork, tides, visual aids, meteorology, restricted visibility, pilotage, and passage planning.
Make hard topics visual
Use the app's trainers for buoyage, lights and shapes, compass conversions, tidal curves, course-to-steer vectors, and forecast decoding.
Keep Day Skipper and Coastal distinct
If you are still building the first-course foundations, use dayskippertheory.co.uk. This site assumes that base and focuses on the advanced exam standard.
Syllabus modules
17 topics to revise
Module 1
Nautical Terms
General nautical terminology and parts of a boat and hull.
Module 2
Ropework
Properties of synthetic ropes in common use aboard yachts.
Module 3
Anchorwork
Anchoring considerations and characteristics of different anchor types.
Module 4
Safety
Rescue procedures, distress signals, personal safety equipment, fire precautions, and stability/heavy-weather awareness.
Module 5
COLREGs
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea — steering rules, lights, and shapes.
Module 6
Position, Course & Speed
True bearings, courses, latitude, longitude, and the knot.
Module 7
Charts & Publications
Reading nautical charts, symbols, chart correction, and navigational publications.
Module 8
Drawing Instruments
Use of parallel rulers, dividers, and proprietary plotting instruments.
Module 9
Compass
Hand-bearing compass, variation, deviation, and compass conversions.
Module 10
Chartwork
Course shaping, course to steer, visual and electronic fixes, DR/EP, and waypoint strategies.
Module 11
Tides & Tidal Streams
Tidal heights, tidal curves, tidal diamonds, stream atlases, and secondary port corrections.
Module 12
Visual Aids to Navigation
Lighthouses, beacons, and light characteristics used for navigation.
Module 13
Meteorology
Interpreting forecasts, Beaufort scale, synoptic patterns, barometer work, and broadcast meteorology.
Module 14
Passage Planning
Deck log, passage preparation, waypoints, and planning for extended coastal passages.
Module 15
Restricted Visibility
Precautions and limitations imposed by fog and restricted visibility.
Module 16
Pilotage
Harbour entry, IALA buoyage (Region A), transits, leading lines, and clearing bearings.
Module 17
Marine Environment
Responsibility for avoiding pollution and protecting the marine environment.
Free printables
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Free printable
Coastal Skipper theory revision checklist
A focused checklist for advanced coastal navigation, pilotage, meteorology, passage planning, and integrated exam preparation.
Independent revision aid, not official RYA material.Privacy policy
Free printable
Coastal Skipper chartwork and passage quick reference
A printable prompt sheet for advanced chartwork, secondary ports, tidal gates, pilotage, weather, and passage decisions.
Independent revision aid, not official RYA material.Privacy policy
Common questions
How many modules are in Coastal Skipper Theory?
There are 17 modules covering the main Coastal Skipper theory knowledge areas for advanced coastal passage-making.
Which topics are usually hardest?
Integrated chartwork, multi-hour CTS, secondary ports, tidal streams, COLREGs in restricted visibility, and weather interpretation often need extra practice.
Can I browse the syllabus for free?
Yes. The module list and public lesson articles are open across the syllabus, with complete free modules available before buying full access.
Keep exploring
Related Coastal Skipper revision pages
Post-Day-Skipper passage-making
Use Coastal Skipper revision for the post-Day-Skipper step into advanced coastal passage-making, pilotage, night navigation, weather, tides, and COLREGs.
Course cost guide
Plan your Coastal Skipper theory, practical, books, equipment, and revision budget, including where a £7.99 post-Day-Skipper revision companion fits.
Practice questions
Try independent Coastal Skipper theory practice questions with explanations across tides, chartwork, COLREGs, weather, pilotage, and coastal passage planning.