Flying Fish has been training professional Yachtmasters for more than twenty years. Our customers include men and women of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds.

Our innovative course programme provides an exhilarating mix of training and a reliable route to certification.

We promise expert tuition, a stimulating learning environment and a great Australian sailing adventure.

Course Schedule

The programme is a package of individual training courses built into a balanced and progressive training schedule. 

Training time is divided between live-aboard periods, day sailing courses and shore-based theory classes. 

Weekends are usually free, but we encourage you to join our dinghy sailing and windsurfing classes (at no cost) to develop core sailing skills or join a Flying Fish weekend course as a mate to one of our qualified yacht instructors.

For racing enthusiasts, there is also the chance to go yacht racing with owners at Middle Harbour Yacht Club.

See the Faq section below for a full breakdown of the week-by-week training schedule. 

Fantastic sailing area

The course is based in the spectacular setting of the Flying Fish Sail Academy at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, Sydney.

You sail in Sydney Harbour, Australia's favourite yachting playground, cruising past the Opera House and under the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Offshore, you explore the New South Wales coast, heading south to Jervis Bay or north to Pittwater, Seal Rocks and Coffs Harbour.

Weather conditions vary from warm sea breezes to cool southerly busters. You will experience magnificent seascapes, dolphins, whales and, of course, flying fish. This is offshore sailing at its best! 

Equipment and instructors 

We operate a fleet of excellent training vessels, including Beneteau 40.7 cruiser racers, a Beneteau First 40 and our flagship SV Arctos (a Radford 55 built for a southern ocean circumnavigation).

We also have a fleet of Laser Bahia and RS Zest training dinghies and Highfield rigid inflatable boats, which we use in the early part of the programme. 

For shore-based training, we have a comfortable waterside classroom equipped with various modern teaching aids and equipment. 

Our team of experienced instructors will guide you through your programme in the friendly and professional style that is the hallmark of Flying Fish.  

Where to stay ashore

If you don't live in Sydney, you will need a place to stay for the duration of your course.

We have limited availability in Flying Fish serviced crew apartments in Manly, staying with other Flying Fish customers on one of Australia's most beautiful beaches. Or you can book your own place. 

For more information, see the FAQ section below. 

• Tuition, logbook, pre-course reading, training resources, and certification. 
• Life jackets and safety harnesses are provided; we can loan you wet weather clothing if required.
• Shared cabin accommodation and meals onboard on live-aboard passages 
• All vessels have an enclosed bathroom on board.
• Fast-track customers can join our weekend dinghy and windsurf classes free of charge.
• RYA YM exam fees (approximately $465) are not included and are payable directly to the RYA on the exam day. 

Qualifications and experience

See the Faq section below for a complete list of the qualifications and experience acquired on the programme.

• The course is often described as a 'Zero to Hero' programme. As such, it is suitable for newcomers to sailing and boating. Having said this, any prior experience in sailing and boating (eg dinghy sailing or windsurfing) will be very helpful.
• If you are already at RYA Dayskipper standard, consider joining our Day Skipper to Yachtmaster Fast Track course.
• To plan your own pathway to Yachtmaster with a custom package of short courses, see here.

• If you leave the Yachtmaster Offshore Fast Track as a qualified, commercially endorsed Yachtmaster, you will be ready to start work as a skipper.
• If you want to work as an instructor at an RYA school, you will need to complete a Yacht Cruising Instructor course.
• To qualify for your Yachtmaster Ocean / Master of Yachts 200 gt (unlimited) certification, see here.

• Willem B. Van Rootselaar - Holland
• Yachtmaster Offshore Fast Track
• 
• “ This has been the greatest life experience I ever had! and with the result: Yachtmaster! Now I'm a REAL Sailor! The course was magnificent!
• Li Peihong - China
• Yachtmaster Offshore Fast Track
• 
• “ Flying Fish is the best choice to learn and enjoy sailing. Authentic British style management, a friendly coaching team, a loving student atmosphere, a tailored teaching program, and a glimpse of the southern hemisphere's deep blue charm. ”
• Lyndsay Barnes - UK
• Yachtmaster Offshore Fast Track
• 
• “ Joining the Flying Fish Yachtmaster programme was one of the best decisions I ever made, My new office is floating on Sydney Harbour. If you’re considering doing the course, sign up now and don’t give it a second thought. But be warned, it could change your life ”

• Course programme 
  • Week 1 -  RYA Powerboat Level 2 (2 days) / Dinghy Sailing Level 1/2 (2 days) /Marine First Aid (1 day) / ACMA  Marine Radio Operator (1 day)
  • Week 2 -  RYA Competent Crew (5 days live-aboard)
  • Week 3 -  RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Theory 
  • Week 4 -  RYA Day Skipper Practical  (5 days live-aboard)
  • Week 5 -  Racing and Spinnakers (2 days) / Basic Yacht Maintenance (3 days)
  • Week 6, 7, 8  - Yachtmaster Milebuilder and Qualifying Passages (16 days live-aboard)
  • Week 9 -  RYA Yachtmaster Shorebased Theory (6 days)
  • Week 10 - RYA Coastal Skipper Practical (5 days live-aboard)
  • Week 11 - Yachtmaster Practical Skills (5 days)
  • Week 12 - Yachtmaster Prep and Exam Week - Offshore (5 days live-aboard)
  • The above programme may be run in a different order, but the training units are correct

• Qualifications and experience 
  • Approx 2,500 sea miles logged
  • RYA Competent Crew
  • RYA Day Skipper Shorebased
  • RYA Day Skipper Practical
  • RYA Powerboat Level 2
  • TCP Marine First Aid
  • RYA Diesel Engine certificate
  • Basic Yacht Maintenance
  • RYA Yachtmaster qualifying passages/watchkeeper experience 
  • RYA Dinghy Level 1 or 2
  • Intro Racing and Spinnaker handling course
  • ACMA VHF/HF GMDSS Radio Licence
  • RYA Yachtmaster Shorebased
  • RYA Coastal Skipper
  • RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (Sail)

• Where to stay ashore
• Flying Fish crew apartments - stay with other Flying Fish customers on one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches. Our crew apartments in Manly are comfortably furnished for shared living and only a short bus ride or Uber ride to our Middle Harbour Yacht Club training centre. Room share (twin or triple with ensuite) $790 per week / single room $1190 per week. Book your accommodation package when you book your course. We only offer accommodation packages for the full duration of the programme. 
• Book your own Backpackers In Manly – basic accommodation for those on a budget (approx $60 / night for 4-6 berth mixed dormitory)
• Book your own Air BNB at various prices and standards. 
• Visas for international students
• Apart from Aussies and Kiwis, everybody travelling to Australia must apply for a visa in advance. Don't apply for a student visa. These are only available for government-sanctioned higher education courses at universities and other tertiary establishments.  Tourist visas or working holiday visas (for those who want to work) are acceptable. 
• What happens if I fail the Yachtmaster exams?
• We do our best to make sure that you don't. But if the worst comes to the worst, you'll go away with an action plan to complete.  Usually, this involves revising some missing skills or knowledge and then resitting the exam.
• Over 90% of our Yachtmaster candidates pass the first time.