This practical hands-on course gives you the knowledge and confidence to maintain a modern cruising yacht and reduce the risk of mechanical problems at sea.

Learn how to carry out routine maintenance checks, identify common faults, and understand key onboard systems including engines, marine electrics, winches, steering, pumps, and safety equipment.

Before the practical training begins, you will complete online pre-learning covering 12v marine electrics, batteries, charging systems, wiring, and fault finding.

Course programme

Day 1 — Yacht systems, electrics, ropework, and preventative maintenance

• Maintenance schedules and legal responsibilities
• Servicing engines, winches, sails, ropes, steering, and safety equipment
• Annual maintenance including antifoul, anodes, keel bolts, rudder bearings, and seacocks
• Practical ropework, whipping, splicing, and 12v systems

Day 2 — RYA Diesel Engine course

• Marine diesel engine operation and maintenance
• Engine checks, fault finding, and fuel system bleeding

Day 3 — Winch servicing and yacht maintenance

• Winch servicing
• Rig and steering inspections
• Pump servicing and maintenance

Professional instruction

Learn from experienced Flying Fish instructors and marine professionals with extensive knowledge of modern cruising yachts and onboard systems.

This course helps improve safety, reduce maintenance costs, and build confidence afloat.

Tuition, and certification.

Qualifications

• RYA Diesel Engine certificate
• Essential Yacht Maintenance 

• No previous experience is required.
• This course is highly valuable for boat owners, operators, cruising sailors, and anyone wanting a better understanding of modern yacht systems, maintenance, and onboard safety.
• It is especially useful for sailors planning to work commercially as Yachtmasters, charter skippers, delivery crew, or professional sailing instructors.

• Consider other safety and skills-based courses including sea survival, VHF radio, diesel engine, and advanced sailing training.
• Plot your pathway towards RYA Yachtmaster with Flying Fish through our practical short course programme.
• Explore Safety, radio, and maintenance courses
• View Yachtmaster short courses and progression options

• Booking information
  • If you book in advance, you can secure your place with a 20% holding deposit using the links above. The remaining balance is due 60 days before the course start date.
  • The deposit is non-refundable but can be transferred to another Flying Fish course or event.
  • Receive a 10% discount when booking three or more courses in a single transaction.
  • We recommend booking early as spaces are limited.
  • View our Terms and Conditions.
• What will I learn on this course?
  • You will learn the essential maintenance skills needed to keep a modern cruising yacht safe, reliable, and operational.
  • The course covers marine electrics, diesel engines, winches, ropework, steering systems, pumps, safety equipment, and preventative maintenance.
  • You will also learn how to identify common faults, manage servicing schedules, and reduce the risk of breakdowns at sea.
• Do I need any previous experience?
  • No previous experience is required.
  • This course is suitable for boat owners, cruising sailors, Yachtmasters, charter skippers, and anyone wanting greater confidence maintaining a yacht.
• Is this course practical?
  • Yes — this is a highly practical hands-on course combining demonstrations, onboard systems training, servicing tasks, and workshop-style learning.
  • You will work with real yacht systems and equipment throughout the course.
• What is included in the online marine electrics pre-learning?
  • The course includes self-paced online marine electrics training before the practical course begins.
  • Modules include:
  • Basic electrical principles
  • Marine DC systems onboard
  • Circuit diagrams and wiring schematics
  • Batteries and power supply
  • Connections, wiring, and installation
  • Fault diagnosis and troubleshooting
  • Practical tools and onboard electrical checks
  • Final assessment
• Is this course useful for professional Yachtmasters and commercial skippers?
  • Yes — this course is highly valuable for sailors planning to work commercially as Yachtmasters, charter skippers, delivery crew, or sailing instructors.
  • A strong understanding of yacht systems and maintenance is an important professional skill for anyone operating vessels commercially.
• Will this course help me maintain my own boat?
  • Yes — the course is designed to help boat owners better understand their yacht, carry out routine maintenance, identify defects early, and communicate more effectively with marine technicians when required.
  • The knowledge gained on this course can improve safety, reliability, and reduce maintenance costs over time.