Welcome to Nautical Know How — a friendly and free learning hub for everyone starting their journey at sea. Whether you’re just beginning to explore the world of sailing, preparing for your Day Skipper theory course, or brushing up on essential skills, we’re here to help with interactive resources, plain-English guides, and a massive glossary of nautical terms.

Explore Our Most Popular Free Resources

What causes our weather?

Get to grips with the forces behind weather systems in this quick, easy-to-follow explainer video. Discover how wind, pressure, and temperature combine to shape the weather you’ll experience on the water — a perfect first step toward understanding forecasts.

Why do we have tides?

Tides can seem mysterious at first — but they don’t have to be. This short video breaks down the key principles behind tidal movement so you’ll know what to expect, and why it happens. An essential concept for any budding skipper.

Interactive Rule Book

Learning the IRPCS (Collision Regulations) doesn’t have to be dry or confusing. Our interactive rule book makes it easy to understand the rules of the road at sea — complete with diagrams, plain-English explanations, and quizzes to test your knowledge.

Sailing Essentials

This free mini-course covers the must-know topics for any new sailor: basic seamanship, safety, navigation, weather, and of course, the core rules you need to follow. A brilliant primer before jumping into Day Skipper theory.

Learn your buoys

Flashcards are a sailor’s best friend when it comes to remembering key visual aids. Use this tool to master the IALA buoyage system, with visual cues and definitions to help you recognise port, starboard, cardinal, and special marks at sea.

Nautical Glossary

Confused by terms like “luff,” “abeam,” or “chock”? Our searchable nautical glossary includes thousands of terms used in sailing, navigation, and marine communication — all explained in clear, beginner-friendly language.

Preparing for Your Day Skipper Course?

We’ve designed this site to help aspiring skippers build confidence, sharpen their knowledge, and get ready for the RYA Day Skipper Theory Course. Whether you’re about to enrol or just exploring your options, our resources will give you a head start — for free.

When you’re ready to take the next step, check out our Day Skipper Online Courses — designed to be flexible, accessible, and packed with instructor support.

Why Nautical Know How?

Built for beginners, useful for all levels
No jargon, just clear explanations
Visual tools and interactive learning
Always free to access, no catch
Created by instructors who get what it’s like to be new

Ready to Get Started?

Sign up for free to unlock bonus downloads and explore our full set of learning tools — or just dive into any of the resources above. Whether you’re aiming for your Day Skipper certificate, or just want to feel more confident on the water, this is the perfect place to start.