MADRID SAILING FIELD GUIDE
Travesía de altura: 48 horas de prácticas oficiales para el Capitán de Yate
A 48-hour, hands-on sea passage that trains navigation, night watches and teamwork required for the Capitán de Yate title; this guide explains what to expect and how to prepare.
Travesía de altura: 48 horas de prácticas oficiales para el Capitán de Yate.
These official 48-hour practices place students in a continuous offshore regime to work organized watches, night navigation and the ongoing tasks of route planning, meteorological monitoring and safety. They are designed as practical sea time to accompany the theoretical modules and are an essential prerequisite to apply for the Capitán de Yate title.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Official, mandatory practice for the Capitán de Yate
These are official 48-hour prácticas de Seguridad y Navegación whose completion is a formal requirement to be able to request the Capitán de Yate title; the certificate is valid for 24 months for title processing.
48 hours in passage regime, full watches and night navigation
Participants live aboard for a continuous 48-hour passage, sharing watch duties, route keeping, meteorology checks and maintenance as part of the onboard team.
Common venues and flexible scheduling
Practices are commonly run in the Comunidad Valenciana and Galicia (Baiona), scheduled according to vessel and instructor availability and bookable as standalone blocks or within semipresential packs.
What the day feels like
What the 48‑hour passage feels like
From Friday afternoon embarkation through Sunday afternoon closure, the rhythm is organized around watches: boarding and planning on day one, a full day-and-night of passage work that includes plotting, estimate control, weather monitoring and, where conditions allow, sextant practice and radar use, finishing with port entry and logging on Sunday.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who these practices suit — and who they don't.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The practice is a continuous 48-hour schedule, typically running from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.
Bring comfortable clothing for night sailing, white-soled deck shoes, a waterproof jacket, sleeping bag or sheet and light blanket, a headlamp and basic personal items.
Practices are scheduled according to vessel and instructor availability; the resulting certificate is valid for 24 months for title application, and dates should be coordinated in advance with your exam timeline.
Typical boats carry between 6 and 8 students plus the qualified instructor; only enrolled students may embark.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Can I do the prácticas before the theoretical exam?
Yes. You may complete the prácticas either before or after the theoretical exam; the certificate remains valid for 24 months for title processing.
Do I have to sleep aboard?
Yes. The practice is conducted as a continuous 48-hour passage and sleeping aboard, participating in watches and communal life is part of the program.
Do I need to bring food?
No. Meals are organized aboard among participants; tasks for shopping, cooking and cleaning are shared and a common provisioning is usually arranged on embarkation day.
What should I bring with me?
Bring comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing for night sailing, white‑soled footwear, a waterproof jacket, sleeping bag or sheet and light blanket, a headlamp and basic personal effects.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If the weather forecast advises against sailing, the practice will be rescheduled to another date without additional cost.
Where are the practices held?
Practices are commonly run in the Comunidad Valenciana and in Galicia (Baiona), depending on the calendar and the availability of vessels and instructors.
What certificate do I receive at the end?
You receive an official certificate of Seguridad y Navegación for the Capitán de Yate practices, valid nationally and with 24 months of validity for the title application.
How many people are typically on board?
Normally there are between 6 and 8 students per vessel, plus the instructor authorized by the Dirección General de la Marina Mercante.
Can I bring companions?
No. Only students enrolled in the official practices may embark, for safety and civil liability reasons.