For a recreational sailor, determining which education is "more comprehensive" depends on whether you are looking for a structured learning experience (training) or a rigorous qualification standard (licensing).
In short:
- RYA Day Skipper is a better education program. It is a structured course designed to teach you how to skipper from scratch, with a world-renowned practical curriculum, particularly for tidal waters.
- Fahrtbereich 2 (FB2) is a stricter licensing standard. It is an exam that requires significantly more prior experience (500 miles vs. 100 miles) and legally clears you for night sailing and further offshore distances (20nm), which the RYA Day Skipper does not explicitly cover.
The following detailed comparison breaks down the differences:
- RYA Day Skipper (The "Teaching" Approach):