Direct answer
Coastal Skipper theory sits after Day Skipper. It assumes the foundations and then asks you to use them for longer coastal passages, night navigation, tidal gates, tighter pilotage, changing weather, and skipper-level planning. Use the plan as a structured route through the advanced topics, then test weak areas with free samples, module quizzes, flashcards, and mock practice.
Coastal Skipper theory sits after Day Skipper. It assumes the foundations and then asks you to use them for longer coastal passages, night navigation, tidal gates, tighter pilotage, changing weather, and skipper-level planning.
Use the plan as a structured route through the advanced topics, then test weak areas with free samples, module quizzes, flashcards, and mock practice.
If compass conversions, basic CTS, tidal heights, COLREGs, and chart symbols still feel slow, refresh those first. Coastal Skipper revision works best once the Day Skipper baseline is already automatic.
The advanced level is not just more facts. It joins CTS, tidal stream, leeway, EP/DR, running fixes, waypoints, and pilotage decisions into one passage problem.
Forecast wording, pressure systems, fronts, barometer trends, fog, and local winds should feed go/no-go decisions, timing, crew briefing, and ports of refuge.
Free printables
Free printable
A focused checklist for advanced coastal navigation, pilotage, meteorology, passage planning, and integrated exam preparation.
Free printable
A printable prompt sheet for advanced chartwork, secondary ports, tidal gates, pilotage, weather, and passage decisions.
Yes. There are familiar topic names, but the depth is higher and the questions are more integrated. Day Skipper shorebased knowledge is normally expected before starting.
The RYA describes the shorebased course as 40 hours plus exam time. Many online providers describe roughly 50-60 hours including assessment and consolidation.
Start with integrated chartwork and tides, then COLREGs, meteorology, pilotage, passage planning, and restricted visibility.
Keep exploring
Try independent Coastal Skipper theory practice questions with explanations across tides, chartwork, COLREGs, weather, pilotage, and coastal passage planning.
Try a free Coastal Skipper theory mini mock, then open the full independent timed mock for mixed chartwork, COLREGs, tides, weather, and passage-making practice.
Use a checkable Coastal Skipper syllabus for the step after Day Skipper: position fixing, compass, tides, pilotage, weather, safety, and passage planning.