Free interactive course

Navigation for Yachts

From absolute beginner to Yachtmaster-level theory

A free, interactive navigation course for sailors and motorboaters. Every lesson has an animated walkthrough, clear explanations, interactive charts and practice exercises — starting from zero and building to Yachtmaster-standard theory.

  • 40 lessons in 6 modules
  • 40 available now
  • No sign-up
Start lesson 1

How every lesson works

Watch

A narrated, animated walkthrough on the chart at the top of every lesson — with captions and a transcript.

Read

Clear notes with diagrams, worked examples and the key terms, written for complete beginners.

Try

Interactive charts and tools: zoom in, read positions, measure with dividers and plot on the chart.

Practise

Exercises marked instantly with worked answers, plus unlimited generated practice questions.

From zero to Yachtmaster-level theory

  1. Stage 1
    Foundations

    Charts, position, distance, direction and speed from first principles.

  2. Stage 2
    Day Skipper

    Compass work, fixes, buoyage, collision rules, tides and course to steer.

  3. Stage 3
    Coastal Skipper

    Secondary ports, passage planning, electronic navigation and night pilotage.

  4. Stage 4
    Yachtmaster

    Advanced tidal problems, radar plotting, offshore strategy and a mock exam.

Levels show roughly where each topic sits in the RYA scheme so you know what to expect; the course itself is not RYA-accredited.

Syllabus

New lessons are published module by module. Lessons marked “coming soon” are on the way.

Module 1 — Foundations

Start from nothing: the boat, the chart, position, distance, direction and speed.

  1. Lesson 1 · 10 minWelcome to navigationWhat navigation really is, the tools a navigator uses, and how this course takes you from zero to Yachtmaster-level theory.
  2. Lesson 2 · 15 minParts of a yacht and directions on boardBow, stern, port and starboard — and how sailors describe where something is relative to the boat.
  3. Lesson 3 · 20 minLatitude and longitudeHow the Earth's grid works and how to read and plot a position on a chart.
  4. Lesson 4 · 20 minReading a chartEverything printed on a nautical chart: title, scale, colours, depths, datums and the compass rose.
  5. Lesson 5 · 15 minMeasuring distance: nautical miles and knotsWhy a nautical mile is a minute of latitude, and how to measure distance with dividers.
  6. Lesson 6 · 20 minDirection and bearingsThe 360° system, true north, and measuring a course or bearing on the chart.
  7. Lesson 7 · 15 minSpeed, time and distanceThe one formula every navigator uses: 60D = ST — with plenty of practice.
  8. Lesson 8 · 20 minChart symbols and depthsSoundings, drying heights, contours, rocks, wrecks and the seabed — decoding the chart.

Module 2 — The compass and fixing your position

Magnetic north, compass errors and the classic ways to fix a position.

  1. Lesson 9 · 20 minThe magnetic compass and variationWhy the compass doesn’t point to true north, and how to convert between true and magnetic.
  2. Lesson 10 · 20 minDeviation and the steering compassThe boat’s own magnetic field, deviation cards and CADET.
  3. Lesson 11 · 15 minHand-bearing compass and position linesTaking bearings of landmarks and turning them into lines on the chart.
  4. Lesson 12 · 20 minThe three-point fixFixing your position from three bearings — and what a cocked hat tells you.
  5. Lesson 13 · 15 minTransits and clearing bearingsUsing lined-up objects and bearings to stay clear of danger.
  6. Lesson 14 · 20 minDead reckoning and estimated positionWorking out where you are from course, speed, time and tide.
  7. Lesson 15 · 10 minKeeping a navigational logWhat to record, when, and why it can save the day when electronics fail.

Module 3 — Buoyage, lights and the rules of the road

IALA buoyage, light characteristics and the collision regulations.

  1. Lesson 16 · 15 minIALA A lateral marksPort and starboard hand marks and the direction of buoyage.
  2. Lesson 17 · 20 minCardinal marksNorth, east, south and west cardinals: shapes, colours, topmarks and lights.
  3. Lesson 18 · 15 minIsolated danger, safe water and special marksThe remaining IALA marks, including the emergency wreck marking buoy.
  4. Lesson 19 · 20 minLights and their characteristicsReading Fl(3) 10s 28m 15M — and identifying lights at night.
  5. Lesson 20 · 25 minCollision regulations: steering and sailing rulesWho gives way: overtaking, head-on, crossing and sailing vessels.
  6. Lesson 21 · 25 minNavigation lights and day shapesRecognising vessels and what they are doing by their lights and shapes.
  7. Lesson 22 · 15 minSound signals and restricted visibilityManoeuvring and fog signals, and conduct in poor visibility.

Module 4 — Tides and tidal streams

Tidal heights, chart datum and the streams that push your boat around.

  1. Lesson 23 · 15 minWhy tides happen: springs and neapsThe moon, the sun, and the fortnightly cycle of big and small tides.
  2. Lesson 24 · 20 minTide tables and chart datumHeight of tide, charted depth, drying heights and clearances.
  3. Lesson 25 · 25 minTidal curves: standard portsFinding the height of tide at any time — and the time for a given height.
  4. Lesson 26 · 20 minThe rule of twelfths and clearance under the keelA quick method for tidal height, and making sure you float.
  5. Lesson 27 · 25 minSecondary portsApplying time and height differences from the almanac.
  6. Lesson 28 · 25 minTidal streams: atlases and tidal diamondsFinding the rate and direction of the tide for your passage.

Module 5 — Planning and pilotage

Course to steer, leeway, pilotage plans and passage planning.

  1. Lesson 29 · 30 minCourse to steerThe vector triangle: allowing for the tide to arrive where you mean to.
  2. Lesson 30 · 15 minLeewayHow wind pushes a sailing yacht sideways — and how to allow for it.
  3. Lesson 31 · 25 minPilotage plans and harbour entryNavigating by eye in confined water with a simple, robust plan.
  4. Lesson 32 · 30 minPassage planningPutting it all together: tides, weather, hazards, ports of refuge and timings.
  5. Lesson 33 · 25 minElectronic navigation: GPS, plotters and AISWaypoints, routes, cross-track error and the limits of electronics.
  6. Lesson 34 · 25 minNavigating at night and in poor visibilityNight pilotage, radar basics and keeping a safe lookout.

Module 6 — Yachtmaster-level navigation

Advanced tidal work, radar plotting, offshore strategy and a full mock exam.

  1. Lesson 35 · 30 minAdvanced tidal height problemsSecondary port curves, interpolation and time-for-height calculations.
  2. Lesson 36 · 30 minCourse to steer over several hours of tideCombining tidal vectors for longer passages.
  3. Lesson 37 · 30 minRadar plotting and collision avoidanceRelative motion, CPA and choosing a safe manoeuvre.
  4. Lesson 38 · 30 minWeather for navigatorsForecasts, fronts, sea state and how weather shapes the plan.
  5. Lesson 39 · 30 minOffshore passage planning and strategyLandfall, tidal gates, watch systems and contingency planning.
  6. Lesson 40 · 60 minFinal assessment: mock examA full Yachtmaster-standard theory paper with worked answers.

Questions

Is the Navigation for Yachts course free?

Yes. Every lesson, video and exercise is free, and you do not need an account. Your progress is saved in your browser.

Do I need any sailing experience?

No. The course starts from zero — what port and starboard mean, what latitude is — and builds up step by step to Yachtmaster-level theory.

Is this an RYA course? Will I get a certificate?

No. This is independent training material and is not accredited by the RYA or any other body, so it does not lead to a qualification. It is designed to complement the shore-based and practical courses run by recognised training centres.

Can I use the practice chart for real navigation?

No. The Isle of Kerran is a fictional practice area drawn for teaching. Always navigate with current official charts and publications.

What equipment do I need?

Nothing for the early lessons — the charts, dividers and plotting tools are built into each page. For later modules a paper practice chart, a Portland or Breton plotter and a pair of dividers are useful for extra practice.

Training material only. The Isle of Kerran practice chart is fictional and must never be used for navigation. This course is independent, is not accredited by the RYA, and does not replace practical instruction or official charts and publications. “Yachtmaster” is a registered trademark of the Royal Yachting Association; it is used here only to describe the standard of theory covered.