Yachtmaster Prep and Exam Week is designed for experienced sailors preparing to take the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or Coastal Certificate of Competence—a key step for those pursuing commercial qualifications in yachting, sailing instruction, or maritime operations.

This intensive week is ideal for candidates who already meet the required experience levels and have completed their theory training, but want focused coaching, polishing of practical skills, and a structured lead-in to the exam itself.

We aim to fine-tune your skills and ensure you are fully prepared and confident for the assessment.

The Yachtmaster examination

During the Yachtmaster exam, you will be asked to demonstrate your boat handling, seamanship, and navigation skills under sail and power, both by day and night. You will also manage a variety of simulated safety and emergency scenarios.

The RYA Yachtmaster Examiner will assess your practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and ability to manage the vessel and crew safely. The key factor is simple: Are you safe?

Course programme

Monday: Yachtmaster skills training + evening session (finish approx. 2130)
Tuesday: Yachtmaster skills training 
Wednesday: Skills training + exam briefing; Yachtmaster exams commence at 1700
Thursday: Yachtmaster exams continue
Friday: Exams finish around 1300; group debrief at 1600

What you'll practice

In the first three days, your instructor will coach you in all core competencies assessed during the exam, including:

• Precise boat handling under sail and power
• MOB (Man Overboard) recovery drills
• Navigation and pilotage (including by night)
• Passage planning and execution
• Emergency and safety procedures
• Crew management and leadership

Before joining, you should make sure your shore-based theory knowledge is up to standard. The prep week does not allow time to teach topics such as IRPCS (Collision Regulations), tidal calculations, or navigation theory.

The yacht and the instructor

You will train in a small group (maximum of four students) aboard one of our RYA-approved Beneteau 40.7 training yachts.

The training is led by a qualified RYA Yachtmaster Instructor with detailed knowledge of the exam requirements.

On Wednesday at 1700, the RYA Yachtmaster Examiner will join the yacht to conduct your exam, and your instructor will step ashore. From then on, it’s over to you!

Location and weather

Training and exams take place within Sydney Harbour and nearby coastal waters. The exam proceeds in most weather conditions, so candidates should be prepared for both sheltered and exposed water scenarios.

This course is non-live-aboard. However, if you are travelling from afar and would like to stay on board in the marina, please contact us to arrange this.

• Tuition, logbook, pre-course reading.
• Life jackets and safety harnesses are provided. Wet weather gear is available on loan if needed.
• All vessels have an enclosed bathroom on board.
• Please bring your own lunch and snacks.
• We provide tea, coffee, and water on board. 

The RYA exam fee is payable to the examiner on the day. (Yachtmaster Coastal $405, Yachtmaster Offshore $465)

Qualifications and experience 

• 100 sea miles logged
• RYA Yachtmaster Coastal COC (Sail) or
• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore COC (Sail)

• Our Yachtmaster prep and exam week is for candidates who are 90% prepared for their exam and just need a bit of polish to get through.
• Please see the FAQ section below for precise details of qualifications and sea time requirements required before participation in this course.
• If you are in any way uncertain of your theory knowledge, you should attend a Yachtmaster Shore-based Theory course before you submit for examination.
• If you feel you could benefit from some more time to practice the essential skills of the Yachtmaster before joining this week, you should join our Yachtmaster Practical Skills course first. 

• You need a commercial endorsement to use an RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence commercially. See our FAQ section below for details on this.
• Consider training as an RYA Yacht Cruising Instructor, which would allow you to work at over 2,400 RYA-recognised training centres across 58 countries worldwide.
• Your next step is RYA Yachtmaster Ocean. 
   

• Booking information
  • If you book more than sixty days before your course start date, you can secure your place with a 20% holding deposit paid via the links above. This deposit will reserve your position until sixty days before the course start date, when the remaining course fees will be required.
  • The deposit is non-refundable but can be transferred to another Flying Fish course or event.
  • We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment, as spaces are limited.
  • View our Terms and Conditions
• Yachtmaster minimum sea time requirements
  • Yachtmaster Coastal: 30 days on board, 2 days as skipper, 800 miles, and 12 night hours.
  • With an RYA Coastal Skipper certificate: 20 days on board, 2 days as skipper, 400 miles, 12 night hours.
  • Yachtmaster Offshore: 50 days on board, 5 days as skipper, 2,500 miles.
  • 5 qualifying passages over 60nm, including two overnight and two as skipper.
• Yachtmaster pre-exam requirements
  • Approved First Aid qualification
  • RYA Yachtmaster qualifying passages/watchkeeping experience
  • VHF/HF GMDSS Radio Licence
  • Theory to RYA Yachtmaster Shorebased Theory standard
  • Boat handling and navigation to Yachtmaster Practical Skills level
• Yachtmaster commercial use
  • To use your Yachtmaster certificate commercially, you need an RYA commercial endorsement, issued by the UK MCA.
  • Steps to obtain commercial endorsement:
  1. Complete a World Sailing/ISAF-approved Offshore Safety and Sea Survival course
  2. Complete the RYA online Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR) course
  3. Obtain a certificate of medical fitness. Options include:
     • ML5 (UK): valid for 5 years, for operations within 60nm
     • ENG1 (UK): valid for 2 years, for unlimited range
     • AMSA 303 (Australia): accepted for unlimited range
     • Australia-only commercial endorsement: use the AMSA 1850 medical for near-shore Australian operations
  • Apply for the commercial endorsement via the RYA here.
• AMSA Sailing Master / Yachtmaster use in Australia
  • To work commercially in Australia, apply for the AMSA Sailing Master Certificate of Competency.
  • Requirements:
  1. A commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence (an Australia-only endorsement is acceptable if staying within Australian waters)
  2. RYA Diesel Engine certificate
  3. RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate
  • Then apply for the AMSA Sailing Master Certificate
• What happens if I fail the Yachtmaster exam?
  • We’ll help you with a personalised action plan—typically focused on revision and a resit.
  • Over 90% of our candidates pass on their first attempt.