YACHTMASTER PREPARATION COURSE & EXAM

Now taking bookings for 5 day training: March 10th to 14th 2025

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Now taking bookings for 5 day training: March 10th to 14th 2025 -

RYA YACHTMASTER

PREPARATION COURSE + EXAM

Course Fee £725

An RYA YachtMaster qualification is required if you wish to work professionally as a yachtsman. For those not looking for a career in yachting, achieving the YachtMaster qualification demonstrates they are a safe, responsible, and competent skipper. The RYA YachtMaster qualification is a certificate of competency recognised around the world and is accepted by every charter company as evidence of competency to charter a boat.

HOW TO BOOK

Please email us for further details and to book.

Dates currently available:

5 days 10th - 14th March (with exam 15th/ 16th March)

More dates coming soon

Price of £725 includes VAT - receipt on request.

Please see our Terms and Conditions

PREREQUISITES

Information in full: https://www.rya.org.uk/training/certificates-of-competence

Summary for YM Coastal:

Documented minimum sea time1 completed on a seagoing sailing yacht in the last 10 years:

  • 30 days at sea (may be reduced to 12 days for those with RYA coastal skipper)

  • 2 days as skipper

  • 800 miles (reduced for coastal skippers)

  • A GMDSS compliant Marine Radio Operator's Certificate such as the RYA Short Range Certificate or higher.

  • An RYA First Aid Certificate or another valid first aid certificate.

  • RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course completion certificate ONLY IF claiming reduced sea time.

  • Photographic ID card or document, such as passport or driving license

Summary for YM Offshore:

Documented minimum sea time completed on a seagoing sailing yacht in the last 10 years:

  • 50 days at sea.

  • 5 days as skipper.

  • 2500 miles on yachts.

  • 5 passages over 60 miles long, which must include 2 overnight passages and 2 as skipper.

  • Hold an SRC (Short Range Certificate) or higher level GMDSS radio operators qualification

  • Hold a valid first aid certificate

THE COURSE

This is an intensive week for experienced skippers who wish to gain this professional qualification. The course will help you refine and practice your skills under the instruction of an experienced RYA YachtMaster Instructor.

  • Responsibilities of skipper

  • Close quarters boat handling

  • Hoisting, reefing and dropping sails

  • Boat handling under sail - Tacking, gybing and efficient sail trim

  • Boat handling under motor - Mooring/Berthing and anchoring

  • IRPCS - Rules of the road and signals

  • Safety, plus man overboard

  • General seamanship, and basics of maintenance

  • Navigation techniquies

  • Meteorological knowledge and understanding

THE EXAM

Once you’ve completed this prep course, you will have been advised by your instructor if you are ready or not take the exam for either Yachtmaster Coastal, or Yachtmaster Offshore. If you are not quite ready to take the exam, you can still take part as crew to witness the process with the other students to help prepare you better for what it entails.

You can take prep weeks until you are ready or if it is miles you need then perhaps a mile-builder trip is what you may need.

Once you’ve passed your exam, you will be a member of the group of the most qualified of sailors in the world, congratulations!