Training Course Information
Joining Instructions: Please click here for training course joining instructions
The RYA Yachtmaster Exam application fee isn’t included in the above cost. Please click here to print-off the RYA Yachtmaster exam application form:
What is included in the training course cost:
- Yacht use 7 days total (5 days prep + 2 days for the exam)
- RYA Qualified Instructor
- RYA training course materials (Use of)
- Breakfast, lunches, snacks and three evening meals (One evening meal is taken ashore at the students own cost, food is simple ‘one pot’ meals like casseroles, chillis, curries, pasta etc for evening meals)
- Tea, coffee & soft drinks
- Accommodation on board
- Diesel
- Cooking gas
- Wet weather kit hire (not footwear)
- Hire of a Baltic automatic life jacket
We can accommodate most dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian or gluten free. Just let us know when you fill out the booking form.
Recommended Reading: RYA Yachtmaster Handbook Sail (G70), RYA Yacht Sailing Techniques (G94), RYA Yachtmaster scheme and syllabus (G158)
Training Course Prerequisites:
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal:
- 15 days at sea, 2 days as skipper (Not on a course)
- 800miles sailing (reduced to 400 if you have RYA Coastal Skipper)
- 8 night hours sailing
- Day Skipper Theory (or knowledge to the level of).
- VHF Operators certificate
- First Aid Certificate
- Minimum Age: 18+
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore:
- 50 days at sea on yachts up to 500gt2 which may be reduced to 25 days if the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence
- 5 days as skipper on vessels less than 24m LOA, which may be reduced to 3 days if the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence
- 2500 miles on yachts up to 500gt2, which may be reduced to 1250 miles if the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence
- 5 passages over 60 miles long, which must include 2 overnight passages and 2 as skipper, which may be reduced to 3 passages including 1 overnight and 1 as skipper if the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence
- VHF Operators certificate
- First Aid Certificate
- Minimum Age: 18+
What Does the Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate Recognise?
The Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence recognises that you have the skills, knowledge, and experience to take command of a cruising yacht and its crew, safely and confidently, on coastal and offshore passages—so long as you remain within 150 nautical miles of a safe haven. This includes navigating challenging conditions, managing your vessel day and night, and taking responsibility for everyone on board. In other words, this certificate confirms you’re trusted to skipper substantial journeys beyond coastal waters—but not quite round-the-world epics!
Eligible Vessels for Qualifying Passages
To ensure your sea time counts toward your RYA Yachtmaster exam, you’ll need to make your qualifying passages on the right sort of vessel. Here’s what you need to know:
- For Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore: Qualifying passages must be completed on yachts between 7 metres waterline length (LWL) and less than 24 metres length overall (LOA) and weighing under 80GT. Larger vessels do not count unless you are pursuing Yachtmaster Ocean.
- For Yachtmaster Ocean: Passages can be completed on vessels up to 500 gross tonnes, giving a bit more flexibility at this advanced level. That means craft between 7m LWL and 24m LOA (up to 80GT) are always eligible, and for Ocean, vessels over 24m and up to 500GT also qualify.
Remember, at least half your seatime must be on tidal waters, completed on vessels matching the discipline of your exam—so sail for sailing candidates, power for power. Always check your vessel’s specs before you set off!
Recommended Experience Levels
To get the most out of your Yachtmaster journey (and impress your examiner), you’ll want to arrive with the right sea miles and hands-on knowledge under your foulies.
For Yachtmaster Coastal:
You should have logged at least 800 miles at sea, or 400 miles if you’ve completed the RYA Coastal Skipper course. Expect to demonstrate solid command over essential sailing techniques, but don’t worry—you’re not required to show quite the breadth of experience expected at the Offshore level.
For Yachtmaster Offshore:
This is a step up: candidates should come with a minimum of 2,500 miles under their belt. What’s even more important? That your experience includes passages in a mix of unfamiliar waters, plus some time managing crew, and setting watches (yes, night sailing counts!). The examiner will expect you to show confidence not just in boat handling, but also in decision-making over longer distances and different conditions.
Bringing this level of experience will ensure you not only meet the prerequisites, but also gain real value from the preparation and exam itself.
Holiday Insurance: We would advise ALL our customers to ensure they have suitable holiday insurance in-place. Yachtsman’s insurance is available from a variety of souces like Topsail Insurance and can cover things like cancellations and personal effects cover.
This training course can only be run over 7 consecutive days (5 days preparation and 2 days for the exam)
Not all schools run this training course as comprehensively as we do. Most will only give you three days preparation and two days for the exam. We give you 5 days preparation PLUS 2 days for the exam! We give you more bang for your buck!
Due to the sea-miles you will be covering and the timing of the sailing you will be doing with the exam at the end (Exam fee not included). This training course will only have RYA Yachtmaster Preparation students onboard.
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