yacht master theory

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Online Theory Course

An outstanding course - I can highly recommend this. The details, feedback and support is excellent - makes celestial navigation understandable!

Unravel the mysteries of astro navigation, the sextant, global meteorology and ocean passage making

The online RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean theory course teaches advanced techniques to those aspiring to blue water cruising and is ideal for holders of the Yachtmaster Offshore certificate who are preparing for their first ocean passage, and for commercial Skippers or Mates planning on operating more than 150nm from a safe haven.

This course will introduce you to the principles of astro navigation, the practical use of the sextant, the measurement of time, position fixing by the sun and stars, compass checking and great circle sailing.  

You’ll also study the concepts of worldwide meteorology, including tropical revolving storms, and passage planning for ocean voyaging.

• Assumed knowledge Yachtmaster level.
• Minimum duration 40 hours study is specified by the RYA.
• Ability after course Theory knowledge to undertake an ocean passage.

Simply click below to try a free lesson.

Introduction to Astro Navigation

• Introduction & Basic Astro Navigation Theory
• Using a Sextant
• Meridian Passage
• Plotting Your Position
• Planet Sights
• Moon Sights
• Star Sights
• Latitude by Polaris (The Pole Star)
• Compass Check by Sun’s Amplitude
• Ocean Weather & Tropical Storms
• Passage Planning
• Satellite, HF communications and obtaining weather data

Unlimited support from our dedicated RYA Instructors - 365 days a year via email, phone or Skype/Zoom.

14-day unconditional money-back guarantee.

13 fully-narrated online lessons including animations, videos and realistic 3D graphics.

Embedded quizzes with instant feedback in each lesson.

Self-assessment exercises with fully worked answers.

Final exam with detailed instructor feedback and free repeat attempts if requried.

RYA Ocean Yachtmaster Shorebased Theory Course Completion Certificate.

12 months access to study with instructor support and exams - you can extend this if you want.

Lifetime access to training materials once you’ve completed the course.

This course is accessed online with no additional software required.

Lessons are accompanied by optional professional narration, and notes. 

They are intuitive and easy to follow, whilst more complex subjects are accompanied by interactive animations and graphics to help you gain a full knowledge of each subject in the course syllabus.

Whilst the process of translating a sextant sight into a position line is straightforward it is quite challenging to get to grips with. Unlike classroom training, where time is limited and students progress at different rates, online learning allows you to participate in lessons as many times as you wish to fully get to grips with the concepts.

At the end of each lesson there are excercises containg similar questions to the exam, with detailed and illustrated answers sent to you immediately to confirm your progress and fully prepare you for your final exams.

You can repeat entire lessons and excercises as often as you wish until you are confident that you fully understand each subject.

When you have completed the course you can request the final exam.

This is assessed by our RYA Instructors and detailed feedback is provided in any areas that may require further study within the course.

If you pass the final exam you will be awarded the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Course Certificate , which will be posted to you.

Ad ditional free resits, with suitable Instructor guidance, are available if required.

If you  are working towards your Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence, successful completion of this course exempts you from the written exam.

For most students exam invigilation is not required - see here for examples of when invigilation is required.

Call us for advice on 0238 218 2604

Read this Sailing Today article about our Ocean Yachtmaster course

Course Reviews

Nigel Andrews

Helped me master it

This was my third attempt at an RYA Yachtmaster Ocean online course from different companies, and by far the best. For an admittedly difficult subject matter to get one’s head around, the instructor presents a very organized and understandable series of lessons that combine learning with wisdom and humour. Its still a tough subject, but this course helped me master it. Thanks!

Mathew Myatt

Ability to repeat when in doubt

Logical and clear. What was really good was the ability to go back and repeat or all or part of a lesson to ensure you truly understand a concept / principle, something which is more difficult to do when in a real classroom situation

David McIntyre

An excellent course

I found this course to be very comprehensive and informative. The format was very well presented and clear. The main advantage for me was the convenience of doing this in your own time. They are very generous with this. All my correspondence was very promptly replied. They are certainly very on the ball. The instructors gave clear and prompt feedback.

David Collins

Well worth the investment. Excellent!

A challenging course which stretches you but backed up with excellent coaching and instructor support. Worth the investment in time and money. Highly recommended.

Combined - RYA Day Skipper & Yachtmaster to fast track your theory learning

RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory – All The Information You Need

What Is The RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory Course?

The RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory course is a theory-based course aimed at yacht skippers advancing to RYA Coastal Skipper and RYA Yachtmaster exams.

It is an advanced course in navigation and other nautical topics such as meteorology that allows you to skipper a vessel on coastal voyages by day and night.

What Does the RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory Allow You To Do?

The RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory sets you up to be ready for your RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Sail or Motor course.

The course will also provide you with the relevant nautical theory knowledge to help for those advancing to the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal and RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exams.

Who Can Do an RYA Yachtmaster Theory Course?

The RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory course is open to anyone who has equivalent knowledge to that covered in the RYA Day Skipper Theory course. There is no age limit.

If you are a complete novice to nautical sailing, then you may want to consider the RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship course or the RYA Day Skipper Theory course is also suitable for novices.

If you are an experienced mariner with many years of experience, both skippering and taking on navigational duties but with no formal training, then there is another suitable course that we have at Ardent Training for you. This is the RYA Fast Track to Yachtmaster course which is essentially the same as the RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory course but with extended content to bridge the gap for someone without an RYA Day Skipper Theory course completion.

Can You Go Straight to the RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory Course?

A theoretical experience in line with the RYA Day Skipper Theory course is required.

A practical experience in line with the RYA Day Skipper course is desirable but not required.

If you have advanced practical skills but lack theoretical knowledge, then the RYA Fast Track to Yachtmaster Course is for you.

If you currently lack both theory and practical experience, you will want to start at RYA Day Skipper Theory.

Where Can I Take My RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory?

There are many thoughts on where is best, but to be truthful, it is what works for you best. 

Your 2 main options are in a classroom course or via an online provider. The 2 different types of learning suit different types of people.

Classroom courses benefit from listening to and talking to other students face-to-face, as well as having the instructor in front of you. Online courses benefit from being able to work at your own speed, repeat lessons, and get a more in-depth learning experience as you are not tied to completing the course at the end of the week at the same pace as the others in the classroom. At Ardent Training we pride ourselves on bringing the best of both of these worlds together with instant 1:1 instructor support on demand, built-in discussions on our online platform, a student forum, and every single lesson being recorded in video format as well as visual and text.

How Long Does an RYA Yachtmaster Theory Take?

The RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory is suggested to take a minimum of 40 hours of learning, plus exam time. I believe the average to be about 50 hours in total.

How this time is shaped can vary. In online courses, you can generally work at your own speed, while in classroom environments, anything from evening classes of 2-3 hours a week, to 3 weekends in a row, or a 6 or 7 consecutive day course over a week.

Is There a Set RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory Syllabus?

There is indeed a syllabus. Each of the following topics represents a specific part of the learnings that will be covered on an RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory course in varying levels of detail.

Navigational Instruments, tidal heights, tidal streams, position fixing and chartwork, Meteorology, pilotage, safety, passage planning and marine environment detail the various aspects of the syllabus.

Read on to learn in a little more detail about how each of these is covered in a little more detail.

What Will I Learn in the Yachtmaster Theory Course?

The RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory course covers a wide range of topics and introduces many topics and important knowledge that will be useful not only for completing an RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Course but in preparing and passing your RYA Yachtmaster exams.

Navigational instruments will cover all those aids to navigation that we have to use onboard such as GNSS, compasses, radar and chartplotters. At this stage, charts should be known about and so they won’t be taught in this course other than using them for our chartwork.

Tidal theory will cover everything from how they are created to using the tidal curves, working out secondary port data, clearances and all about tidal streams. Tidal streams include using a tidal atlas, tidal diamonds and computation of rates table.

Our chartwork at this stage is using the pre-learned tidal information to advance our basic dead reckoning positions to more complex estimated positions, courses to steer and even doing running fixes.

Fog, weather effects, frontal depressions and pressure systems will all be covered within meteorology while IRPCS will see a more in-depth look at vessel lights, shapes and their various characteristics which allow us to know what to do to prevent a collision at sea.

Pilotage and Passage planning will bring all our knowledge together as we learn all the steps contained within the structure of a passage plan and how to formulate and use these. Safety will of course be covered in full, but personal and on-board safety items while we will also look at things to be aware of while being in and to help protect the marine environment.

How Much Does This Course Cost?

As ever, many schools differ in price and it is important to understand everything that is included within your course such as materials, available content and instructor help. As always, the cheapest is not often better. At Ardent Training, our online RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory is priced at £345 and that includes everything. A unique student pack with Ardent Training extras, free worldwide postage, access to materials and instructor help and of course, your end-of-course certificate.

What Is the Pass Mark for the RYA Yachtmaster Theory Course?

There is no specific pass mark as such. The instructor’s aim is to bring you up to a level where you have a satisfactory level of theory knowledge across the subjects covered to be able to put your new learnings into practice during your RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course.

What Comes After RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory

After your RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory, we suggest progressing on with your RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Sail or Motor course as soon as possible. That way, all your recent learnings are still fresh in your mind and you can use the practical tasks to consolidate all your knowledge. After that, you can look to start gaining more miles at sea, longer passages and progressing the to coveted RYA Yachtmaster certificates of competence.

Releated Posts

RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory – Everything You Need to Know

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Motor – Everything You Need to Know

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Everything You Need To Know About RYA Yachtmaster Theory

In last weeks blog we broke down RYA Day Skipper Practical and how it fits in to your learning progression. RYA Yachtmaster Theory is the next step in that journey and on its completion you opens up RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Course as well as several other interesting optional courses you could take. This blog will tell you Everything You Need To Know About RYA Yachtmaster Theory.

What is RYA Yachtmaster Theory? 

Being a theory course its shore based in a classroom or online via zoom. It assumes you have completed RYA Day Skipper theory or possess a comparable level of knowledge as it teaches you more advanced navigation techniques. You will learn about navigating safely on coastal and offshore passages. If you plan to progress to Coastal Skipper practical, Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore then you should be taking this course.

What RYA Yachtmaster Theory teaches you?

The course in essence will teach you advanced theory of navigation and meteorology.  For those with extensive sailing experience with previous navigational experience, the course builds upon those basic skills. You will be developing a comprehensive depth of knowledge and understanding of navigation theories, techniques and practices.

www.firstclasssailing.com/rya-courses/yachtmaster-theory-course

What can I expect to do?

RYA Yachtmaster Theory is an in-depth course with a wide subject field. But in short it will include position fixing, magnetic compass, tides, tidal streams, buoyage, lights, pilotage, and introduction to GPS and plotters, meteorology, collision prevention regulations, safety, navigation and passage planning among a lot more to numerous to go in-depth about in a short blog.

Where & When Can I take RYA Yachtmaster Theory?

There are three different ways you can take Yachtmaster Theory. We offer classroom based courses in our Southampton (Shamrock Quays) location and across London.  The classroom based course runs for 8 weeks ( 1 evening per week) and a weekend, or over 2 and a half weekends. If you have a suitable space we can also come to your office and run the program for your colleagues. Due to the impact of COVID we adapted our shore based courses for online zoom learning. This became very popular over the pandemic and the flexibility it offers means it has maintained it popularity. Like the in person course is typically run over 8 weeks however is sometimes compressed with multiple lessons a week. Finally we have a purely online version that allows you to dip in and out as and when it suits you. Support from an instructor is only a phone call or email away

What Equipment Will I Need?

No matter if you doing RYA Yachtmaster theory in a classroom, via zoom or online, each format comes with a extensive set of materials to make use of.  All students will receive a RYA work pack of charts, tide tables, port information and mock questions. A website with course slides will also be accessible after each lesson to help you refresh you memory. Those taking the Classroom or Zoom versions will also receive s Cockpit Companion.

To complete the course you will need a set of plotter and dividers. We can provide them to you for £20 to be collected at your first lesson. If your doing the Zoom or Online versions we will courier them to you. You can also opt to buy your own however they will likely be more expensive. If you have already completed RYA Day skipper theory or have the comparable experience you should already have everything you need.

Lastly If you haven’t already got a logbook you should make sure you get one. They are £7.49. The Logbook is a place to record your miles and keep your certificates. It outlines the whole RYA Cruising Scheme giving the course content for each course again if you completed prior course you should already have one of these.

What skills will I have after the course?

On competition of RYA Yachtmaster Theory you should now have the Background knowledge you need to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day and night. You can now develop your skills further by moving up a level and taking the RYA Yachtmaster Practical , which in itself opens up several more course options. You can find more information about course options by following the link below.

www.firstclasssailing.com/first-class-sailing-rya-course-progression-plan

Want to get started?

Hopefully this blog has answered Everything You Need To Know about RYA Yachtmaster Theory. If you have any further questions or  you are interested in taking RYA Yachtmaster Theory click here to see availability and dates. You can also E-mail [email protected]  or call 0203 006 3717

Find out more about this course by following the link below. 

www.firstclasssailing.com/rya-courses/day-skipper-theory-course

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Tips and hints for passing your Yachtmaster theory

• Katy Stickland
• July 20, 2021

Racing turned cruising sailors Liz Rushall and her husband Mark go back to school to brush up on their Yachtmaster theory

Although accomplished sailors, Liz and Mark found their rusty knowledge was hampering their cruising enjoyment. The Yachtmaster theory course revealed a number of areas in need of a refresher. Credit: David Harding

Liz Rushall shares tips and hints for passing your Yachtmaster theory course

‘Why on earth are you guys doing your Yachtmaster ?’ was the question our friends repeatedly asked. ‘Surely, you know all that stuff?’

We’ve both sailed since childhood, competitively racing dinghies, then keelboats. Sailing is our work and life.

Liz Rushall has won national dinghy and keelboat titles, but currently cruises a 28ft classic Honeybee called Ragdoll

Mark is a British Sailing Team coach, we’ve both won championships together and with others, and raced keelboats offshore.

In between times, since 2000, we’ve cruised Ragdoll our 28ft classic Honeybee, from Emsworth, having slow adventures around Brittany, Normandy, and the West Country.

Generally, we’ve arrived on the day we had planned, if not quite always at our estimated time.

Although I did my Yachtmaster theory some 20 years ago, it’s just like I have a Maths O-Level. It’s still a mystery to me.

Sitting the course at night-school, during an intensely busy job, with a bunch of powerboaters talking jargon knowingly, it was as if I was reliving the horror of maths at school.

Needless to say, as with my maths, I battled through the exam and unfortunately not much of it stuck.

Meanwhile, Mark learned his navigation on the hoof, cruising on friends’ boats during his student days and he is self-taught.

Good at all things involving science and numbers, he was always a bit dismissive of things like compass deviation.

We had a little hand-held GPS, a Walker trailing log, and more recently a very small detachable Garmin chartplotter and Simrad AIS. It all seemed to work – we were fine.

What could possibly go wrong?

You never stop learning

The real answer to the question ‘why do our Yachtmaster ’ was a wake-up call that came last summer.

We’d had a hectic few months, working late and trying to fit in our summer cruise around Mark’s Olympic coaching commitments.

We were both tired and needed a break.

Mark plotted our Channel crossing.

Normally I try to get involved and have a crack at the passage plan too, but it takes me ages.

Making sense of passage planning, including tidal heights and gates, is much easier once you’ve had a refresher. Credit: Liz Rushall

I helped a bit with the tidal streams (which I thought I was good at) and had a quick, over-the-shoulder look.

We decided to head for Cherbourg, to have options.

We dismissed the idea of heading straight to Saint-Vaast, as we’d anticipated a four-hour wait for the lock gates – tedious after a long crossing.

We left Chichester Harbour early, although I wanted to go even earlier.

As soon as we had popped out of the harbour, the wind clearly was not as forecast. It was more WSW than west, so not the reach we had hoped for.

Continues below…

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We were keen to get to France, however, so we pressed on.

It was a big spring tide, so we expected to get swept hard eastwards and then back westwards.

We reefed early, anticipating the wind against tide effect as we got towards France.

But it was a horrible sea. Our little boat was sailing beautifully but struggled to keep to our estimated speed.

We were consistently too far east of our course, even after the tide had turned, and the tide didn’t push us as hard west to Cherbourg as had been expected.

Still behind schedule, the water didn’t flatten out when the tide turned east again.

How to calculate position, estimate time of arrival and course to steer is all easily forgotten in a digital age. Knowing how to extract this information from your chartplotter is also crucial

Now very tired from hand steering, less than two hours from Cherbourg we had to concede that we simply could not punch upwind, with or without the engine.

The whole day had been a domino effect of one little thing after another.

So, as the sun faded, a quick change of plan.

We altered course for St Vaast, rocketing down on the tide, arriving just as the lock gates opened at 2300.

In the end, it was a good result, landing in our favourite spot, although it had been a very long day on a little boat with no self-steering.

After two days’ sleeping, having a sailing coach on board and racing in our blood meant, of course, a thorough debrief.

Naturally, over some lovely seafood and French wine.

We realised that our brains were not getting younger, and clearly there had been some ‘gaps’ in our navigational planning.

For a long time, I’ve felt aware that I didn’t have a complete handle on chartwork, despite owning a certificate that says I do.

The decision was made. Let’s have a crack at our RYA Yachtmaster and find out what we do and don’t know.

A course in ‘Johart’s Window’

Stage one of our plan was enrolling on an Intensive RYA Yachtmaster Theory course with the Emsworth School of Navigation – six days completed over two weekends.

Using dividers to transfer a position line from a scale is easier on a small boat than lining up a plotter or parallel rules. Credit: David Harding

Compared to my memories of scary night-school, the experience was a refreshing change.

Karen Dorontic, the principal, turned out to be an amazing teacher, with astounding levels of patience and a gift for not making you feel stupid, despite most of us coming up with some bizarre calculations and answers.

Her empathy with our learning process, the pitfalls and the mistakes we would make as we progressed through the topics and papers, was clearly based on her own experiences.

We had an interesting, mixed group on the course; a couple refurbishing their yacht to cruise around the world, two people who take people sailing on club-owned yachts, a Solent based cruiser, and my brothers.

One who, like me, did his Yachtmaster theory exam many years ago, the other a confirmed dinghy sailor now doing a bit more yacht racing.

Straight into the first session, and many of us were picking up some great tips.

Frequently things that sounded obvious, although only once you had been told.

For us, it was time-saving things, such as using the dividers to transfer positions from the side of the chart rather than struggling with parallel rules, and unlocking the delights of a Portland plotter.

Both were far more useful for our tiny navigation table. Then, there were the really useful ways of remembering things.

Who knew the cones on cardinal marks point to the black section? Easy.

Bizarrely, one of the most entertaining sessions was learning the Colregs (collision regulations).

We were in hoots visualising all those bells and gongs going off in poor visibility.

Yet once again, Karen gave us really helpful tips for working out lights, especially for towing vessels, which initially felt like a sea of colour we’d never remember.

The intensive nature of the course means there is a vast amount of information to process but without the luxury of a few days to absorb and reread what you are learning.

Almost inevitably, that meant some of us ‘hitting the wall’.

By day two of plotting estimated positions and courses to steer, I could no longer figure out Variation and Deviation.

The phrase ‘Error East Compass Least’ rapidly became another maths maze. Plus or minus?

The more I tried to think about it, the more it went wrong.

One candidate put his dividers down saying: ‘I’ve completely forgotten what it is I’m trying to achieve’.

I began to wonder how we’d ever got our boats anywhere around the Solent, let alone to St Malo, Chausey, and Tréguier.

Homework humiliations

With a lot of exercises to practise before the second weekend, it was hard to cram our homework into a busy fortnight.

Somehow we did, although mealtime conversation got down to the level of ‘what do two red lights mean?’ Riveting stuff!

The family WhatsApp was busy that week with shrieks of frustration as we all made chartwork errors.

Back in the classroom, we all compared notes. Everyone had struggled with their homework.

Mark didn’t get a single question right first time.

Liz found it useful to identify areas of weakness ahead of her Yachtmaster Theory course. Credit: David Harding

Number blindness set in as we all plotted the wrong information, dates and data and tried to use the tidal height tables to calculate tidal stream rates. We’d done it all.

One man owned up to plotting the date as a position on his chart.

At least we were all suffering in the same boat.

Undoubtedly, it was a painful process to go through, as we all fell into the pitfalls and traps deliberately set in the exercise questions.

However, it was true that practice makes perfect.

Through comparing our random attempts with the answers, we were all learning from our errors.

The fog is clearing

With homework horrors behind us, our practice paid off as we went through our exam papers.

Everyone passing the Colregs paper was a confidence boost. Bang the gong!

While we waited to hear our results, the bemused conversation went along the lines of, ‘Were those yellow and red lights a Hovercraft that was fishing?

Or an air-cushioned, displacement fishing vessel?

Details of the RYA Yachtmaster Theory course

Officially speaking, the RYA Yachtmaster Theory course builds on that which is taught in the shore-based Day skipper course.

However, for most people who have sailed regularly, then jumping straight to Yachtmaster theory is unlikely to be a major problem.

The course covers advanced navigation techniques including: position fixing; course shaping and plotting; tidal knowledge including secondary port calculations; navigation in restricted visibility; Admiralty publications and electronic position-finding equipment.

Much of this will be familiar to even the most casual cruiser, but as Liz discovered, some of the specifics might well need a bit of study.

The meteorology tuition includes the taking and interpretation of forecasts, plotting of weather systems as well as weather prediction.

Further courses

Many people who jump straight into Yachtmaster Theory may find that it turns up a weakness or gap in their knowledge.

It can often be helpful to identify areas of weakness and consider a training course that might help raise your level ahead of a Yachtmaster practical exam.

Several schools offer courses on many of the subjects in a Yachtmaster exam and they can help you to improve your knowledge.

On the other hand, it might just be an area you devote more time to in the lead up to Yachtmaster Practical.

Know your COLREGS

The one area where there are no shortcuts are Colregs; you just need to know your stuff – and finding the time to learn isn’t difficult.

So far as the MCA is concerned, this is the crunch.

Examiners are encouraged to demand high standards in this subject, and there’s no reason for a candidate, knowing full well they are going to be grilled extensively on this, not to have the regulations solidly in their mind.

The best way to be exam-proof is to invest in A Seaman’s Guide to the Rule of the Road (Morgans Technical Books Limited (£12.50), available for modest money online or in any chandlery.

Place it prominently in the heads some months before the exam and devote five minutes of each day to digesting its contents.

The book makes it easy and should leave you with no excuse for not having a thorough working knowledge.

Aside from the certificate, we both got a lot out of the course. Mark felt that it reminded him what he did know and reinforced what he didn’t.

Liz found she had forgotten some useful shortcuts during her Yachtmaster Theory course and put these into practice during her Yachtmaster Practical assessment. Credit: David Harding

Learning the processes and the ways to remember them, was so helpful.

For me, cracking the tidal stream rates was a revelation, and fears of secondary ports and tidal height calculations are mostly gone.

It will definitely help us explore places we never felt confident to visit because we have a long keel.

Karen’s many wise tips such as not trusting the electronics unquestioningly, and rapid plotting techniques will be invaluable.

Pilotage plans for new ports will now be a joy rather than a scrabble around through the pilot books.

We love our little boat, we sail her well, yet she will never be anything like the quickest boat on the water.

She needs all the help we can give her, which includes accurate navigation to arrive on time.

Having returned to the Yachtmaster theory I now feel that my confidence is up.

Mark and I now can’t wait for our next big voyage, to see what we’ve really learned.

Now there’s the small matter of our practical exams on the horizon.

5 key points to take away from our Yachtmaster Theory course

• Quick Plotting Techniques: Karen’s quick plotting technique really helps if, like us, you have a very small chart table. Simply plot your latitude using your Portland plotter or ruler. Then measure off your longitude along the top line of the chart from the nearest major longitude line eg 002°. Move the dividers down to in-line with your latitude plot and draw an arc on your first line
• Deviation and Variation: In the end, I solved this by learning to literally translate ‘error east/compass least’ and ‘error west/compass best’ into plain English! In other words: Compass error West – compass will be bigger than True; Compass error East –compass will be less than True. Learning how to use a pencil mark on the error scale on the Portland plotter to avoid the mental arithmetic entirely was another gem.
• Extrapolating tidal streams : One particular ‘lightbulb moment’ was calculating tidal streams. We’d only ever interpolated the tidal streams, estimating the rate between the mean spring and neap rates shown in the tidal atlas. The exercises highlighted that a big spring tide will be higher than the mean rate, and extrapolating this accurately makes a big impact on your course to steer.
• Remembering lights: Learning the lights felt really complex, but Karen taught us to look for the patterns. Remember a clock face for the number of flashes of the N, E, S and West cardinals (E is three flashes, South six, West nine and North continuous) is a great tip. For remembering the lights for towing vessels, adding an extra masthead light to represent the vessel it is towing, plus another for boat length over 50m, and another for tow length.
• Templates for secondary port and tidal stream calcs:  Rather than working it out from scratch each time, Karen encouraged us to develop our own, or use standard templates for calculating tidal information. It helps reduce errors, speeding up the planning process and saving brain cells for other tasks.

Key information on the Yachtmaster practical and theory courses

Why yachtmaster.

Although a Yachtmaster qualification is required for anyone planning to become a professional, thanks to the continuing efforts of the RYA, Brits who sail for leisure still don’t have to carry any proof of competence in home waters.

The certificate certainly remains the logical target of many a self-motivated sailor, though.

It also represents the icing on the cake for those looking for the reassurance of an external assessment.

Theory and Practical

Yachtmaster training can take place on a boat or in a classroom.

A shore-based course, either at desks in a school or via the popular Internet distance learning programmes, ends with a theory exam.

Success in this will help a student in later qualification upgrades, but it is not officially recognised.

The only certificates accepted by the authorities are those issued after an at-sea examination. To become a fully-fledged Yachtmaster, this practical test is the one that counts.

Coastal or offshore

In recent years, the old Coastal Skipper has been superseded by the new Yachtmaster Coastal certificate.

The qualifying mileage for this MCA-recognised qualification is 800 miles, with passage and night-hour requirements being regarded as fairly relaxed in comparison with Yachtmaster Offshore, which keeps its 2,500-mile entry level.

Either will serve as a proper Yachtmaster qualification and can be described as such.

Only the often-dropped suffix distinguishes the two.

Apply for ‘coastal’ and the examiner, recognising that you have less sea-time, will be more inclined to cut you a bit of slack.

The RYA has noted that most candidates are really only making ‘coastal-status’ passages.

In real terms this includes an annual trip across the Irish Sea, the North Sea or the Channel in a calculated weather window.

RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster ™ Offshore Theory (Online)

• This course looks to refine the techniques learnt in your RYA Day Skipper Theory course
• International Maritime Law
• Passage Planning
• Meteorology
• Environmental care

RYA Coastal Skipper and/or Yachtmaster offshore theory is a more advanced course that builds on the knowledge gained at the RYA Day Skipper Theory level. Its aim is to take your theory knowledge to the standard required for the Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore practical course.

This course is open to anyone who has already completed Day Skipper Theory, and ideally has some practical boating experience. You should be comfortable applying concepts such as tidal heights and streams and interpreting weather information. Pilotage and passage planning will already be in your knowledge base. You will feel at ease with the practical and thorough application of the IRPCS. You will understand how to fix position using a variety of methods. Your knowledge of safety systems and practices will be substantial.

Your full training pack contents include:

• Two RYA practice charts
• The RYA Coastal / Yachtmaster course notes
• The RYA Coastal / Yachtmaster exercises
• The RYA Training Almanac

Please note: Your online course is provided by Navathome. Booking conditions are not the same as for courses delivered by Andrew Simpson Yachting.  

Notes on shipping of training materials.

All training materials for the online courses are shipped to you the buyer. Please be aware of the Navathome policy relating to shipping. This forms part of their terms and conditions.

• Navathome is unable to ship to addresses which contain PO Box Numbers. A physical address is required.
• Buyers must provide a valid contact telephone number at the time of booking
• Packs being shipped to Russia must be delivered to a business address.
• All packs must be signed for, so the buyer must ensure that there will be somebody available to accept the package
• Navathome will not accept responsibility for packs sent to marinas, or c/o addresses. If the pack goes missing after it has been signed for, the buyer will be liable for the cost of the replacement pack. 

Course Outcomes

• With this qualification combined with additional practical experience, you should be equipped with the knowledge required to consider the RYA Yachtmaster ™ Coastal or Yachtmaster ™ Offshore examination.

To book this course please call or email our friendly team who will set you up with everything you need to get learning. Phone: +44 (0)2392 522777 Email: [email protected]

Yachtmaster Coastal / Offshore Theory

The Royal Yachting Association Yachtmaster certificate has become the industry standard qualification after the entry-level stage. It is the first formal training in navigation and seamanship that deckhands receive on their path to higher MCA issued certificates and it is a vital part of their maritime education. This course equips you to navigate safely on coastal and offshore passages. It will take your theory knowledge to the standard required for the Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams, concentrating on advanced navigation and meteorology skills. 

Instructor student ratio 1:8

You will learn: 

• position fixing 

• course shaping and plotting 

• tidal knowledge 

• use of almanacs and admiralty publications 

• electronic position finding equipment 

• taking and interpreting forecasts 

• plotting weather systems 

• weather predictions using a barometer and by observation 

• collision regulations 

• customs and excise regulations for cruising abroad. 

For MCA OOW, Chief Mate and Master Certificates it is a requirement that this theory course is successfully completed as part of the training. This course is fully redeemable with your ONE Account vouchers (excluding exam fee).

We provide this yacht training course in Antibes.

3 exam papers over the duration of the course

GMDSS SRC Marine Radio (VHF) , Elementary First Aid (STCW Code A-VI/1-3)

• Navigational knowledge of Day Skipper standard
• Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR) Online test (for commercial endorsement)
• 2500 sea miles (at least half in tidal miles and half in vessels between 7mLWL-24m LOA sub 80GT and all below 500GT), 50 days at sea, 5 passages over 60nm in vessels between 7m LWL-24m LOA and sub 80GT - including: 2 overnight passages and 2 as skipper
• Personal Survival Techniques (for commercial endorsement)
• I have a sufficient level of spoken and written English to understand the course content and to pass any verbal or written assessments.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore / Yachtmaster Coastal / Master of Yachts 200 Course 300

MPT is the most complete full service private maritime school in the country and has been training mariners since 1983. Our Fort Lauderdale based campuses host over 45,000 square feet of classrooms, deck and engineering training labs, the Ship's Store, and student service facilities.

Preparing for RYA Yachtmaster Offshore / Yachtmaster Coastal / Master...

Course description.

  Yachtmaster Certificate of Competency

The Yachtmaster Qualification is the pinnacle of the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Training and Certification System. It is widely recognized throughout the world as a prestigious accomplishment.

 Holding this credential can:

- Improve your resume for any deck department position on yachts - Serve as prerequisite training for an MCA OOW 3000 GT CoC - Professional Development in your yachting career  - Serve as your Certificate of Competence (CoC) for operators of yachts up to 200 tons

The Yachtmaster Course should be undertaken by crew aspiring to advance to the MCA OOW level up to 3000 tons and by those who are advancing to the command level for Master of Yachts up to 200 tons.

  2 Routes Available – Same Course:

Yachtmaster Coastal Yachtmaster Offshore

Yachting professional candidates are encouraged to start their training and professional development as early in their career as possible. Many will take their STCW Basic Safety Training Program (#140) and then when they qualify, it is recommended to obtain the Yachtmaster Coastal CoC. Candidates wishing to upgrade to the offshore route later can simply examine, without additional required training.

Whether you qualify for the Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore, the training is the same. The only difference is your experience and practical skill level. You will be examined towards whichever level you qualify for.

The MPT Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore Course (#300) is taught on a Motor Yacht and the practical training and examination are towards a Motor Certificate of Competence. (If you are applying for a Sail Endorsement, this course will not satisfy your practical training and exam requirements). All sea time must be on a power boat and not on a sail boat under power. The Theory, SRC, PPR, and Basic Training courses are the same for both schemes.

The MPT Yachtmaster advanced level certification is available in a 2 week + exam program combining shore-based theory and practical hands-on techniques for a Motor Vessel and the RYA Practical Examination. The first week of class is in the classroom (theory) and the second week is Practical, out on the boat. In addition, there will be class on Saturday of the first week so please plan accordingly.

YACHTMASTER COASTAL & OFFSHORE Subjects Include:

One week (40 hours) of comprehensive shore-based theory module with written assessment papers including navigation, tidal calculations, international and inland rules of the road, coastal pilotage, meteorology, anchoring and mooring, docking and undocking, buoyage systems, safety, voyage and passage planning, general ship knowledge and seamanship.  A theory examination will be conducted after the completion of the 40-hour theory portion of the program.

One week of Yachtmaster Offshore/Coastal practical training is conducted on board one of MPT’s Yachts. These yachts are up to 48’ and are twin screw motor yachts. This part of the instruction covers seamanship skills such as nautical terms, tides, marlinespike seamanship, anchor work, boat handling, docking, general yachting skills, basic weather, navigation and passage planning. This course will be a preparation course for your final Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore Examination. The practical portion of the course will be conducted during daytime, evening and occasionally may include weekend hours.

The Yachtmaster Course #300 is an Advanced Review Course and it is assumed that candidates will have the prerequisite knowledge of the Basics of Navigation and recommended to the level of RYA Day Skipper, and the very least, the level of the Essential Navigation On-line course. To increase your likelihood of success, we recommend taking the online pre-course - ESSENTIAL NAVIGATION. Additionally, flash cards are available in the MPT Ship's Store for rules study in lights and shapes. Also, many Apps are available to assist in these subjects for pre-study. It is also strongly advised that you pick up your study material well in advance of the start of your course. Pre-study is essential for a successful outcome of this course. 

The RYA Yachtmaster course is accredited by the RYA and MCA and recognized for service as Captain or Mate (OOW) up to 200gt up to 150 miles from a safe haven, at the Offshore level or up to 60 miles from safe haven at the Coastal level. 

The Yachtmaster CoC meets the STCW A-V1/1 and section A V1/1-4 when combined with Basic Training Courses. Yachtmaster Offshore fulfills the prerequisite for MCA OOW 500 and 3000 GT and the MCA STCW A-II/2 Command Certificate for Master 200GT.

Sea Service Prerequisites (minimums): Note you must be able to provide proof of your sea service before undertaking the exam. This should be provided at least 2 weeks before the course when possible to allow our team to review it and ensure your eligibility for the course. Speak to your MPT Career Counselor or your instructor for assistance.

 Sea Service can be proven by submitting one or more of the following: 

• Log book (RYA or other acceptable)
• Sea Service Testimonial Letters from captains, owners or operators of vessels outlining vessel specifics, time underway, your capacity served onboard and the location of the service (tidal or non-tidal waters, etc).
• Sea Service Forms (calendar style - provided you can supply all of the additional information such as number of miles, etc.) Method 2 is preferred.

Yachtmaster Coastal: Motor - Option 1

Without RYA Coastal Skipper Practical certificate:

• 2 days as skipper on vessels of less than 24 meters

Note: No more than half of the required miles can be on vessels over 24 meters

Yachmaster Coastal: Motor – Option 2 A & B

  With RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Certificate:

Can be used to enter OOW 3000GT program and modules

A. Mariners with Coastal Skipper Practical Certificate and with more than half of required sea service on vessels less than 24 meters

• 20 days on board
• 2 days as skipper on vessel less than 24 meters

B. Mariners with Coastal Skipper Practical Certificate and with more than half of required sea service on vessels greater than 24 meters

• 30 days on board

Yachtmaster Offshore: Motor  

• 50 days sea time overall on motor vessels
• 5 days in the command position on the vessel (as Master)
• 2500 nautical miles logged with half transiting through tidal waters and half on a vessel of less than 24 meters that is not a tender.
• 5 passages over 60 nautical miles, including 2 overnight and 2 in command (as Master) of vessel.        

Yachtmaster Ocean:

• Obtain Yeachmaster Offshore
• Complete the RYA astro/ocean shorebased theory #306
• Ocean passage of 600 nautical miles or more as captain or mate
• Complete oral exam with RYA examiner successfully

For Commercial Endorsement:

In addition to the SRC and First Aid (must have been taken within 5 years) you will need to obtain an MCA Certificate of Medical Fitness (ENG-1) as well as the Personal Survival Training (4 Modules of STCW 210) and the online Professional Practices & Responsibilities (PPR) Certificate. If you are planning to work commercially, you should simply add the STCW Basic Training Program, which will include the approved Personal Survival and First Aid automatically and will also allow your Yachtmaster CoC to have the STCW endorsement as well. Most boats internationally require this of all crew working commercially. We also recommend the Security Awareness or Designated Security (VPDSD) Course if you are working commercially as well. These are all separate fees from the Yachtmaster Course however MPT offers Package discounts, speak to an MPT RYA Specialist for more information and assistance. There is also a fee candidates will pay to the RYA for the commercial endorsement.

Written & Practical Exam Information:

The written exams are administered at MPT at the end of the shore-based theory segment of your program. They include all of the topics covered in the course. All of the shore-based courses and experience criteria must be fulfilled before the RYA Examiner will conduct the practical assessment. The final exam will be conducted by an independent and unbiased RYA Yachtmaster examiner and takes the form of an extensive oral and practical examination on a motor yacht. Candidates who have taken MPT's Yachtmaster course may use one of the MPT vessels for the exam at no additional fee. The practical exam will take an additional one-two day and is scheduled when the examiner is available and generally immediately after the course, weather permitting.  Once your eligibility has been reviewed (sea time and prerequisites met), the schedule for the practical examination is predicated on several things:

1)The weather as this is a practical underway examination 2)The availability of the RYA Examiner (this is not an MPT employee)

Examinations may need to be scheduled for additional days which may not be consecutive to the dates of the course.

Exam Subjects:

We will review with you the knowledge-based subjects during your shore-based theory week and also fine tune your boat handling skills during your practical course, but you should be familiar with the following areas when you join the class and proficient by the exam date. (Note if you are not already well versed in these subjects when you arrive, you are strongly encouraged to take the Essential Navigation (online course) as there is not sufficient time to cover the basics in the 2-week program. Ask about #333) 

• Knowledge of the International and Inland Rules of the Road.
• Safety. The candidate will be expected to know what safety equipment should be carried on board a yacht.
• Boat Handling, Maneuvering, Docking: Yachtmaster Coastal students will be expected to answer questions & demonstrate ability in simple situations only. Yachtmaster Offshore candidates are expected to demonstrate ability in more complex situations and will also be expected to show a higher level of expertise.
• General seamanship, including maintenance.
• Responsibilities of the skipper
• Navigation, Basic Weather 
• Radio Communication & Signaling
• Command presence, management and direction of crew.
• Essential Navigation (online course)

Practical Exam Fees:

The RYA Examination Fee for the initial examination will be paid by MPT as part of your course tuition. Additional RYA fees are paid by candidate if a subsequent examination is needed.

 If at the end of your course you wish to postpone the practical exam date, you are permitted to return for exam and RYA exam fee paid by MPT, within one calendar year, space permitting.

Additional Recommended or Required Courses:

• Essentials of Navigation (Online Pre-Course) #333
• First Aid & CPR #143 or Take STCW Basic Safety Training #141, 142, 143, 144
• SRC VHF Radio License #303 Required (offered Online) or GMDSS GOC #404
• RYA PPR (Professional Practices & Responsibility) #335 ONLINE COURSE
• MCA Approved Engine Course #440
• USCG Radar Course #148 & ARPA Course #150 or MCA Nav/Radar/ARPA Course #402

If you have three years of yacht service, speak to a career counselor about continuing straight through your OOW or Chief Mate 3000 GT program.

Required Materials

RECOMMEND PRE-STUDY: Essential Navigation online, course #333, COLREGS Study Apps or flashcard, and course notes. AVAILABLE IN MPT SHIPS STORE or bring with you the following: Pencil (mechanical or #2) Paper Chart Eraser (We recommend white- like magic rub or Staedtler), Navigation Tools (parallel rules/Portland plotter/triangles – your choice), Dividers (we recommend two- one as divider and one as compass), Calculator (we recommend the TI-30x), Hand Bearing Compass - optional though recommended (We recommend Weems & Plath #2004). Pick up at MPT when you register or when you check-in: Yachtmaster Shore based Training Manuals & Charts (provided by MPT).

11 day class in Fort Lauderdale

RECOMMENDED PRE-STUDY: Available at MPT Ships Store Complete Course Training DVD Flashcards AVAILABLE IN MPT SHIPS STORE OR BRING WITH YOU: Pencil (mechanical or #2) Paper Chart Eraser (We recommend white - like magic rub or staedtler) Navigation Tools (parallel rules/Portland plotter/triangles - your choice) Dividers (we recommend two - one as divider and one as compass) Calculator (we recommend the TI-30x) Hand Bearing Compass (We recommend Weems & Plath #2004) PICK UP AT SCHOOL WHEN YOU REGISTER OR WHEN YOU CHECK-IN: Yachtmaster Shorebased Training Manuals & Charts (provided by MPT)

Course Photos

Testimonials

Not suggestions. Thanks for letting me be your student! Alejandro, Friday August 2015 RYA Yachtmaster Offshore / Yachtmaster Coastal / Master of Yachts 200

A bit more time would be nice! But Steve was an awesome instructor.Very easy to follow and very thorough. Arthur, Wednesday November 2013 RYA Yachtmaster Offshore / Yachtmaster Coastal / Master of Yachts 200

1915 South Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, +1-954-525-1014 | +1-888-839-5025 (Toll Free)

Site map | privacy notice | cookie policy | accessibility notice, 1915 south andrews avenue, fort lauderdale, fl 33316 +1-954-525-1014 +1-888-839-5025 (toll free).

[email protected]

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RYA Online Courses

Rya yachtmaster online course.

£ 315.00

Description

The RYA Yachtmaster online theory course is an advanced  course that builds on the knowledge gained on the shorebased Day Skipper course. The course is aimed at sailors and motor boaters who are looking to undertake more complex passages, perhaps offshore or at night. This course is a must for those looking to work towards taking the RYA Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams.

The RYA Online Yachtmaster course costs £315.00 and includes the RYA Course pack which contains: 2 Full size Training charts, a Training Almanac and Shorbased notes that will act as an Aide-mémoire throught the online course

***NEW***  When you purchase this course you will also gain full access to our new Online  Diesel Engine  course.

The Yachtmaster online course is an intensive programme covering advanced navigation techniques. It includes position fixing, course shaping and plotting, tidal knowledge, secondary port calculations, navigation in restricted visibility, Admiralty publications and electronic position finding equipment.

The meteorology tuition within the course includes the taking and interpretation of forecasts, plotting of weather systems and weather prediction. Students are shown how to use this information when planning and executing passage plans. The International Regulations for Prevention of Collision at Sea are dealt with in detail and you will also learn more about yacht stability and safety offshore.

Students will need to have a valid RYA Day Skipper theory certificate or equivalent and have thoroughly revised the Collision Regulations before taking the course.

YACHTMASTER QUALIFICATION WITH AN RYA APPROVED COURSE

The animated lessons are not matched in any other Yachtmaster online course. They are designed to make learning interesting and questions easy.

Assessment methods within the courses ensure student training is  E valuated,  V alidated and  R ecorded.

The majority of Yachtmaster Online courses are mainly narrated videos and slideshows and to be honest, you may as well buy a book.

Our Yachtmaster online courses are fully animated lessons with an optional voice over so you get the best of everything.

Click here for a  Free Trial

You will receive RYA Certification on satisfactory completion of the course.

The RYA Yachtmaster online course is provided by Navathome, a RYA Recognised Training Centre specialising in online training, and includes: a course pack consisting of training charts, exercises pack, Yachtmaster shorebased booklet,  and your certificate, which is normally priced at £40.00. Plus, a Training Almanac normally priced at £7.49 (Day Skipper/Yachtmaster).

By clicking a payment button you are agreeing to Navathome’s terms and conditions available  here .

To Purchase your course just click your preferred payment method below.

The RYA Online Yachtmaster course normally costs £315

YACHTMASTER ONLINE COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE:

• position fixing
• course shaping and plotting
• tidal knowledge
• use of almanacs and admiralty publications
• electronic position finding equipment
• taking and interpreting forecasts
• plotting weather systems
• weather predictions using a barometer and by observation
• collision regulations
• customs and excise regulations for cruising abroad

There is a six-month initial access period to the online theory course. In the unlikely event that you will need an extension, there is an option to extend as many times as you like until you pass your assessment. The cost of administrating each 6-month extension, beyond the initial 6 months, is £30.

This is an advanced course in navigation and meteorology for candidates for the Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate.

This course will take your theory knowledge to the standard required for the Yachtmaster™ Coastal and Yachtmaster™ Offshore practical exams, concentrating on advanced navigation and meteorology skills.

As with the Day Skipper shorebased course, the RYA’s specially designed chart plotter software will be used during the course to give you a realistic taste of modern electronic navigation.

Those who have not acquired the knowledge set out in the Day Skipper course are unlikely to be able to assimilate all the subjects covered in this advanced course.

1. Position

• Dead reckoning and estimated position
• Satellite-derived position
• Use of waypoints to fix position
• Radar fixes
• Techniques of visual fixing
• Fixes using a mixture of position lines
• Relative accuracy of different methods of position fixing
• Area of uncertainty

2. The magnetic compass

• Allowance for variation
• Change of variation with time and position
• Causes of deviation
• Swing for deviation (but not correction)
• Allowance for deviation
• Different types of compass
• Causes of tide – Springs and Neaps
• Tide tables – sources
• Tidal levels and datum
• Standard and secondary ports
• Tide anomalies (Solent, etc.)

4. Tidal Streams

• Sources of tidal information
• Tidal stream information in sailing directions and Yachtsmen’s Almanacs
• Allowance for tidal streams in computing a course to steer
• Tide rips, overfalls and races
• Tidal observation buoys, beacons etc.
• IALA system buoyage in Region A
• Limitations of buoys as navigational aids
• Characteristics
• Ranges – visual, luminous and nominal
• Rising and dipping distances
• Light lists

7. Pilotage

• Harbour regulations and control signals
• Methods of pre-planning
• Clearing lines
• Use of soundings
• Transits and leading lines

8. GPS and chart plotters

• Principles of operation and limitations of use
• Raster and vector charts
• Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source and keeping a separate record of position
• Importance of paper charts

9. Echo sounders

10. logs (speed and distance measuring).

• Principles of operation limitations of use

11. Deck log

• Importance of log as yacht’s official document
• Layout of log, hourly and occasional entries

12. Meteorology

• Basic terms, the Beaufort scale b. Air masses c. Cloud types d. Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems e. Sources of weather forecasts f. Ability to interpret a shipping forecast, weatherfax and weather satellite information g. Land and sea breezes h. Sea fog i. Use of barometer as a forecasting aid

13. Rules of the Road

• A sound knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, except Annexes 1 and 3

14. Safety at Sea

• Personal safety, use of lifejackets, safety harnesses and lifelines
• Fire prevention and fire fighting
• Distress signals
• Coastguard and Boat Safety Scheme
• Preparation for heavy weather
• Liferafts and helicopter rescue
• Understanding of capabilities of vessel and basic knowledge of stability

15. Navigation in restricted visibility

• Precautions to be taken in fog
• Limitations to safe navigation imposed by fog
• Navigation in poor visibility

16. Passage planning

• Preparation of charts and notebook for route planning and making, and use at sea
• Customs regulations as they apply to yachts
• Routine for navigating in coastal waters
• Strategy for course laying
• Use of waypoints and routes
• Use of weather forecast information for passage planning strategy
• Sources of local and national regulations

Packs will be delivered for free to destinations within most of the mainland United Kingdom.

We cannot deliver to a PO Box address. A physical address will be required in all circumstances.

A valid contact telephone number for the student will also need to be provided at the time of making the booking.

Packs to Russia must go to a Business address.

Sailtrain will not accept responsibility for Packs sent to Marinas, or C/O addresses. If the pack goes missing after it has been signed for, replacement packs will only be provided at the students expense.

Details of any special delivery requirements should be provided in the notes section of your Booking form.

The shipment of packs to the following countries not shown above will incur the below indicated additional charge:

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RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory

The RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster theory course is an advanced course that builds on the knowledge gained on the shorebased Day Skipper course . It is aimed at sailors and motor boaters who are looking to undertake more complex passages perhaps offshore or at night. This course is a must for those looking to work towards taking the RYA Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams.

• ADVANCED NAVIGATION
• PASSAGE PLANNING
• PROGRESSION

It is an intensive course covering advanced navigation techniques including - position fixing, course shaping and plotting, tidal knowledge including secondary port calculations, navigation in restricted visibility, Admiralty publications and electronic position finding equipment. The meteorology tuition includes the taking and interpretation of forecasts, plotting of weather systems and weather prediction. Students are shown how to use this information when planning and executing passage plans. The International Regulations for Prevention of Collision at Sea are dealt with in detail and you will also learn more about yacht stability and safety offshore.

It is strongly recommended that students have a good grasp of theory subjects to Day Skipper standard and have thoroughly revised the Collision Regulations before attending.

During the course students sit three exams and will be awarded the RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory Certificate.

0900 until approximately 1700 Monday until Saturday.

What's Included:

All course materials including RYA Yachtmaster Theory course notes. Morning and afternoon tea. For details of local accommodation establishments please click here.

Support Courses: 

• RYA Sea Survival
• RYA/ISAF Offshore Safety Course .

Supporting Books:

RYA Coastal Skipper Practical (sail) or RYA Coastal Skipper Practical (motor) .

Course Dates: 

Please note that if the dates listed are not suitable for you or you wish to have a course run at your own venue please contact us.

Online option available

Duration: 6 days (Monday to Saturday).

Previous Experience Required: Current knowledge of navigation to RYA Day Skipper theory level and practical sailing or motorboat experience to RYA Day Skipper. 

Course Overview: Advanced coastal and offshore navigation course covering pilotage, meteorology, stability, Collision Regulations and electronic navigation aids such as GPS and chart plotters.

Click here to view full course syllabus.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore

Find out About the Yachtmaster Offshore Theory & Practical Training, (both Online & Shorebased)

Use the global Yachtmaster Offshore Directory to Find a Course Near me (Select any Location)

Page Navigation

• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore 200GT
• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Requirements
• Course Breakdown
• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Limited Theory
• RYA Yachtmaster of Yachts Practical Course
• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Practical Examination
•  RYA Yachmaster Offshore Certificate
• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Commercial Endorsement

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (Yachtmaster 200GT & 150NM Limited)

An RYA Offshore certifies an individual as competent to captain a vessel up to 24m in length and no more than 200 Gross Tonnes. The offshore certification is applicable passages during which the yacht is no more than 150 miles from harbour.

The Yacht master offshore consists of two components:

• Yachtmaster Offshore Theory 
• Yachtmaster Offshore Practical 

Both components can be done on an individual basis but in order to achieve a commercial endorsement for the yachtmaster offshore certificate of competency, both the theory and practical examinations must be passed.

Yachtmaster Offshore Requirements:

In order to be eligible to take the Yachtmaster Offshore practical exam, candidates must meet the minimum sea time requirements.

The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore minimum sea time prerequisites are as follows:

• 50 days at sea on yachts up to 500GT
• 5 days as skipper on vessels less than 24m LOA
• 2500 miles on yachts up to 500GT
• 5 passages over 60 miles long, which must include 2 overnight passages and 2 as skipper

If a candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence for a different vessel type (Ie. power or sail) then the above prerequisites are adjusted as indicated on the RYA's Yacht Master Offshore Exam page.

Yachtmaster Offshore Course Breakdown

The Yachtmaster Offshore course consists of a 40-hour (minimum) theory course (excluding exam time), 5 days of practical training and preparation followed by a 2-day practical examination.

Yachtmaster Offshore Theory:

The following topics are covered during the Yachtmaster Offshore theory course:

• Position fixing,
• Course shaping and plotting,
• Tidal knowledge,
• Use of almanacs and admiralty publications,
• Electronic position finding equipment,
• Taking and interpreting forecasts,
• Plotting weather systems,
• Weather predictions using a barometer.
• Certificate issuing criteria

Yachtmaster Offshore Theory Online

The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Theory can be studied in an online or virtual distance learning format. The online version of the course allows students to work through the training content at their own pace, which may benefit those who are working with little time off.

Yachtmaster Offshore Practical

Although there is no formal training course leading up to the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Practical exam, it is common for yacht crew to complete a practical training course, leading up to the exam. This may vary slightly between schools but should be done at an RYA accredited center.

The exam will include an assessment of your skippering skills, boat handling, general seamanship, navigation, safety awareness and knowledge of the IRPCS, meteorology and signals.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Practical Exam:

A valid GMDSS-approved SRC Radio Operators Certificate and a First Aid Certificate are requirements for the RYA Yachtmaster Practical examination. The Elementary First Aid Certificate as acquired during STCW Basic Training is an accepted version. For recreational sailors, an RYA First Aid certificate is sufficient.

In addition to this, candidates need to ensure that they have met the minimum sea time prerequisites as highlighted above.

Practical Exam Assessment:

The exam will include an assessment of:

• The candidate's skills as a captain,
• Boat handling ability
• General seamanship,
• Navigation planning and execution
• Safety awareness and procedures
• Knowledge of the IRPCS,
• Meteorology,
• Lights, shapes, sounds, and other signals.

Practical Exam Duration:

• 8-12 hours for 1 candidate,
• 10-18 hours for 2 candidates.
• No more than two candidates can be examined in 24 hours and no more than four candidates can be examined in one 2-day session.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate

Students who pass their Yachtmaster Offshore practical and theory examinations will be awarded an RYA Yachtmaster offshore certificate of competency. It is important to understand that CoC is a recreational license until it is commercially endorsed by the MCA.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Commerical Endorsement

In order to commercially endorse your Yachtmaster offshore certificate, you will need to submit the following:

• Original Yachtmaster Offshore certificate
• RYA Professional Practices and Responsibilities certificate
• an RYA commercial endorsement application form
• Your original, completed ML5, ENG1 , or an ENG1 equivalent medical form.
• A copy of your RYA Basic Sea Survival certificate or STCW Personal Survival Techniques
• A copy of your RYA Marine Radio SRC Certificate or other acceptable GMDSS Marine Radio Operator's Certificate .
• A passport-sized photo with your name on the back
• The application fee

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore License

A license card/ book will be provided to those who pass the relevant Yachtmaster offshore examinations. The license will include a photo, and details about the license holder, and will also include information about the endorsements associated with the license.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Training School Locations

Brazil Sao Paulo

Croatia Split

Greece Corfu

South Africa Cape Town Langebaan

Spain Barcelona

Turkey Marmaris

United Kingdom England Ireland Scotland

West Indies Antigua

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FAST TRACK RYA YACHTMASTER

Course dates:, booking a course:, as keelboat syllabus, rya theory syllabus, rya practical syllabus, fast track rya yachtmaster program.

Listed here are the steps from beginner to RYA Yachtmaster. You can enter at any level and our sailing advisors are here to advise where to start depending on your knowledge level and experience.

The RYA Yachtmaster® Certificate of Competence is often the ultimate aim of aspiring skippers. It is a well known, highly respected qualification worldwide, proving your experience and competence as a skipper.

There are a number of RYA navigation courses that will help you prepare for your exam. Many RYA Yachtmaster candidates also choose to book themselves into an RYA training centre for some specialised exam preparation training, but this is not compulsory.

Program breakdown (in the above image).

This Program includes the following courses from:

The australian sailing as – keelboat program & the royal yachting association (rya) – yacht training program.

Certificates of Competence Include:

• International Certificate of Competence 
• RYA  Yachtmaster Coastal
• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore
• RYA Yachtmaster Ocean

Option 1 – Keelboat courses on our J24 Yachts (or go to Option 2 with the RYA 5 day Competent Crew on larger yachts)

Australian Sailing Keelboat Program

The knowledge to skipper and navigate your own Keelboat by day on sheltered waters

Prices when booked as a Program

Start Crewing

• 4 x 3-hour practical lesson
• 1 x theory lesson and social evening
• Lessons every day

Start Helming

• 4 x 3-hour practical lessons or 2 days

Keelboat Start Skippering

• 2 x 6 hour practical days
• 1 x Theory lesson and social evening
• Best do just before your 5-day practical Coastal Skipper

On our J24’s you will have hands-on instruction on helming (steering the boat), main sheet (controlling the power of the boat), winches (turning the boat through tacks and gybes etc) and the foredeck. After each lesson is your most important part of the day is the debriefing session with your crew and instructor at the Deck bar at the CYCA! (Home of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race). 

The sailing lessons on the J24’s are available every day except Thursdays and you can choose your lesson times. Session times are 9:00 am to 12:00 pm or 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm and weekend sessions extend to 4 pm to 7 pm during daylight saving. As we have several training yachts, booking in is really easy and flexible – all you need to do is give us a call. You can even do 2 lessons in one day if you wish.

RYA Competent Crew Practical  5 Day Practical (5 Days and 4 Nights onboard)

•  All Provisions on board inclusive
• $2350 on Monohull Beneteau 38.1
• $2460 on Seawind Catamaran  1170
• $2460 on Seawind Catamaran 1260

RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship Shorebased theory available online or virtually $390

Then the RYA Day Skipper Certifications: 

RYA  Day Skipper Shorebased Theory

• 40 hours Elearning plus 4 virtual evenings with a RYA Yacht Master Instructor 

Or Online (40 hours + exams) in your own time $750 – Course materials posted

RYA Day Skipper Practical   5 Day Practical (5 Days and 4 Nights onboard)

• $2460 on Seawind Catamaran 1170

It is recommended to complete the theory prior to the practical.

On successful completion of the RYA Day Skipper Practical, you can automatically apply to the RYA for the  ICC International Certificate of Competence  This is required to skipper your own yacht or hire a yacht or powerboat in over 140 countries. The certification is for sailing up to 24m .

Then RYA Yacht Master Certificate of Competence –  Enable the skipper to navigate and skipper on any coastal passage.

RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory

• 40 hours eLearning and 6 virtual evening sessions with an RYA Yacht Master Instructor

RYA Coastal Skipper Practical  5 days and 4 nights onboard

• $2350 on monohull Beneteau 38.1

Marine Radio Licence (LROCP)

• Online theory and 1 x evening and practical course
• VHF, HF and DSC
• $450 plus $89 licence fee

Australian Sailing Safety and Sea Survival

• eLearning & Practical
• Includes flare and pool session

Optional Courses 

Radar Course

Diesel Course

• 1-day course

RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Course

• 40 hours plus exam

RYA Exams and Commercial endorsement for Australia and International.

Included & benefits

• Free unlimited 3-hour practice sails on a standby basis for 4 weeks after Keelboat Courses
• 1 x 3 hour private lesson on our J24 (normally $450)
• Course packs for all RYA virtual and online courses
• Free use of wet weather gear for Keelboat Courses
• Free introduction to boat owners as crew to race or mile builders/deliveries after SSSC is completed
• PSS is located in the CYCA and has operated from this base for over 40 years.
• Opportunities for crewing are unlimited.
• Starting on smaller yachts like our J24s and progressing to our bigger yachts provides the best outcome in sailing skills.
• Flexible course dates – can be altered with the required minimum notice as per our booking conditions
• Fast track – RYA Yachtmaster program completed in 3 months if requested

Not included:

Exam for RYA Yacht Master Offshore Certificate of Competence

• The exam is independent and approximately $500 is paid directly to the RYA
• PSS registration, Insurance, logbook and certificate fees $150
• Textbooks (if required) approximately $230

Practice Sails 

Unlimited and available on a standby basis for 6 weeks on our J24 Yachts.

ICC Assessment

ICC assessment cost is included in the 5 day practical assessment.

On successful completion of the RYA Day Skipper practical, ask about the ICC International Certificate of Competence. During the RYA Day skipper practical course you will be assessed for your theory, sailing and seamanship skills. This is a pass or fail and a pass is the minimum requirement for the ICC.

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• Certificates of Competence
• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Exam

Full details of the exam syllabus and requirements are shown in the RYA Yachtmaster Scheme Syllabus and Logbook (G158) available from the webshop (see right).

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams can be taken under sail or power and your certificate will be endorsed accordingly. The candidate or a training centre provides the boat and the RYA provides an examiner. Note: All qualifying sea time and passages must be gained on vessels appropriate to the type of exam i.e. gained in sailing vessels for a sail exam and power vessels for a power exam.

There is no formal training course leading up to the exam, but those who have not previously taken RYA courses often find it useful to book themselves in for some informal training at an RYA centre prior to their exam. This training can be tailor-made to your specific needs and helps to fill any gaps in your knowledge that may become apparent.

The exam will include an assessment of your skippering skills, boat handling, general seamanship, navigation, safety awareness and knowledge of the IRPCS, meteorology and signals.

Boats used for exams

You may use your own boat or a boat that you have chartered or borrowed. You will be responsible for ensuring the boat is seaworthy and suitable for the area in which the exam takes place and equipped as shown below.

The boat used must be between 7m and 18m (LOA) and be in sound, seaworthy condition, equipped to the standard set out in the RYA Boat Safety Handbook 2nd Edition (code G103). The boat must be equipped with a full up to date set of charts and navigational publications along with working instruments and either plotter or GPS. In addition to the candidate there should be two crew on board as the examiner will not take part in the management of the boat during the exam.

There may be vessels that will meet the guidelines outlined above but by virtue of their layout, construction, handling characteristics or other factors may be unsuitable for use for an RYA Yachtmaster Practical examination. The RYA reserves the right to refuse an exam on a vessel that, in the view of the RYA Chief Examiner, will not allow the examiner to conduct an examination to the standard required by the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Qualification Panel.

Before you book your exam please check that you:

• can provide a boat
• have completed the required mileage and experience as skipper
• hold an SRC (Short Range Certificate) or higher level GMDSS radio operators qualification
• hold a valid first aid certificate
• have read the syllabus in RYA Logbook (G158)
• have read and comply with the pre-requisites above.

Additionally if not on the boat, you will need to bring to the exam:

• laminated or waterproof charts
• GPS set (may be hand held)
• tide tables
• pilotage information for the local area, eg pilot books, port information etc
• plotting instruments.
• Photographic ID card or document, such as a passport or driving licence

If you need your Certificate of Competence in order to work on board a commercial craft subject the MCA's codes of practice, you will need to get it commercially endorsed .

Useful links

Arranging your exam, commercial endorsements, exam payments service, mca manning requirements, professional qualifications.

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Late notice spaces available for selected courses - click here for details

RYA Yachtmaster™ Theory

Price: from £425 (Finance now available)

Location: Starts from our base at Premier Gosport Marina

Duration: 5 days

The RYA Yachtmaster™ Theory Course brings students with at least the RYA Day Skipper / Coastal Skipper qualification and a sound level of sailing experience, up to Yachtmaster™ level (Theory only).

Take a look at our live course calendar  for dates for the RYA Yachtmaster™ Theory course!

Booking details

Please select your preferred start date below.

• Saturday 26th October 2024 (6 spaces)

Course Information

Joining Instructions: Please click here for course joining instructions

Recommended Reading: RYA Day Skipper Handbook Sail (G71), RYA Yacht Sailing Techniques (G94), RYA Yachtmaster scheme and syllabus (G158)

Course Prerequisites: 30 days on board, at least 2 days acting as skipper, 12 night hours, 800 miles (50% tidal), If you hold the Coastal Skipper course certificate this is reduced to 20 days, 2 days as skipper, 400 miles, 12 night hours. All qualifying seatime must be within 10 years prior to the exam. RYA VHF Licence and in date First Aid certificate

Minimum Age: 17+

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.

We have a maximum of 6 students on this course ensuring that each student gets the maximum possible attention from the instructor.

Small class sizes allow each student to work at their own pace, ask questions and gain the greatest possible benefit from taking this theory course.

Who is the course for:

The RYA Yachtmaster Theory course is designed for advanced training for more experienced skippers building on the Day Skipper course.

The RYA Yachtmaster Theory course equips you to navigate safely on coastal and offshore passages. Its advised you have theory to the level of day skipper theory before attempting this course

What we cover on the course:

The RYA Yachtmaster™ Theory course will take your knowledge to the standard required for the Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams, concentrating on advanced navigation and meteorology skills.

As a broad stroke of topics on your RYA Yachtmaster Theory course, you will be looking at and covering are:

• Position fixing
• Course shaping and plotting
• Tidal knowledge, use of almanacs and admiralty publications
• Electronic position finding equipment
• Taking and interpreting forecasts
• Plotting weather systems, weather predictions using a barometer and by observation
• Collision regulations
• Customs and excise regulations for cruising abroad.

The idea of the course is to advance your knowledge in navigation and also add to your navigation tool kit.

Course formats & details:

Courses run in a choice of two formats:

• 6 days continuously
• 3 weekends sequentially

The RYA Yachtmaster Theory course includes free overnight accommodation aboard our immaculate, well-maintained yachts, and free tea and coffee, although no meals are included in the course cost (Free accommodation is during low season only and subject to yacht availability – Please check with us beforehand).

All meals are at the students own cost and are taken at any of the great local establishments in Gosport, or a short ferry hop across the harbour to Portsmouth.

Please note that during high season accommodation on-board cannot be guaranteed, so please ensure if you need to take advantage of this benefit you inform us of your requirements well in advance. Should we have no free boats available, you will need to arrange overnight accommodation at your own cost.

Fancy going VIP and having your own exclusive private course for you and your friends or family? You can book the whole yacht just for your own exclusive course from only £395 per person. Enjoy the course in style, with up to five persons on the boat being taught by one of our friendly, experienced Yachtmaster Instructors! What a way to start your sailing adventure!

Our Chief Instructor says this about the RYA Yachtmaster™ Theory:

The RYA Yachtmaster Theory course is a very full-on course. It will test you to your limits. It will even make your instructor scratch their head now and then (we are all only human!).

It is really well advised to make sure you are fully focused on the Yachtmaster Theory course. There is a lot to cover in the course, always ask questions if you do not unerstand, as your instructor is there to help.

A few things from me – The course is not a 9-5 course. It can be longer depending on the pace of the students and questions asked.

It is a lot about understanding and having the knowledge brought forward into the front of your thinking. The course can be amazing fun and will bring some really useful navigation techniques for longer routes.

There are so many usefull techniques to learn in navigation that are interesting for longer routes and more unusual passage plans.

My advice for the course is keep a sharp pencil, and ask lots of questions. If you do not understand then ask the instructor as we are here to pass on our knowledge to you.

Related courses

Mile building weekend.

Our Mile Building Weekend is the perfect way to build-up your sea miles and gain valuable experience at the helm as Skipper or as crew under the watchful eye of one of our expert Instructors. With longer, more involved & exciting passages, it’s an adventure outside the confines of the Solent and a great way to gain confidence in the waters around the South Coast.

Take a look at our live course calendar  for dates for the Mile Building Weekend!

RYA Sea Survival

The RYA Sea Survival Course is an essential for any sailor. Teaching self-help techniques and what to do when all is lost, it’s a prerequisite for longer passages and those wanting to get into racing like RORC Fastnet!

Take a look at our live course calendar  for dates for the RYA Sea Survival course!

RYA/MCA Yachtmaster™ Coastal/Offshore Preparation Week

The RYA Yachtmaster™ Coastal/Offshore qualification is the next progression step from being a qualified RYA Day/Coastal skipper, and is one of the most useful, credible, and accepted profressional qualifications in Yachting.

Take a look at our live course calendar  for dates for the RYA Yachtmaster™ Coastal/Offshore Preparation week!

Customer reviews

A fantastic weekend of sailing, almost 130 NM in all, with a relaxed, but fully engaging skipper. Great set up and brilliant on the admin. Thanks Stef, Tom et al!

I did a weeks coastal skipper course getting ready for my yacht master and I have to say it was one of the best training weeks I’ve had - our training instructor was superb, exactly the sort of person that you want. He could inspire, provide discipline and impart knowledge as well as let you learn through your own mistakes. Tom and Steph run an excellent operation there and I highly recommend it. They’re flexible and very helpful when it comes to your journey into being a qualified sailor.

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