Yachtmaster Prep and Exam
This course leads to a practical assessment, conducted independently by an RYA Yachtmaster Examiner. Depending on your prior skills and experience your objective may be a Yachtmaster Offshore or Coastal Certificate of Competence.
Our Yachtmaster Prep and Exam Week is aimed at those who already have the required knowledge, skills and experience for Yachtmaster but would benefit from some practice prior to examination.
We aim to polish your existing skills so as to make you exam ready.
Yachtmaster Examination
During the Yachtmaster examination you will be asked to demonstrate your boat handling, seamanship and navigation skills, under power and sail, in a variety of conditions and situations by day and night.
You will also be given a number of simulated safety and emergency situations to manage.
The RYA Yachtmaster Examiner will want to be satisfied with your ability to manage the crew as much as with your technical skills on board. The primary assessment is whether or not you are safe.
Practical skills
During the training days you will practice boat handling, safety and emergency procedures, pilotage and navigation. We make sure you run through all the exercises you can expect to encounter in the exam itself. If you are uncertain of your practical skills as skipper you should join a Yachtmaster Practical Skills week before you attend this course.
Theory knowledge
The week doesn't allow time to teach you the IRPCS, tidal heights, or navigation. If you are in any way uncertain of your theory knowledge you should attend a Yachtmaster Shorebased Theory course before you submit for examination.
Course schedule
You will join a small group (max 4) on board one of our Beneteau 40.7 training yachts.
Mon - YM skills training
Tue - YM skills training
Wed - YM skills training / exam begins 1700
Thu - YM exams
Fri - YM exams and debrief
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29 Mar - 2 Apr
5 days
Sydney, Australia
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29 Mar - 2 Apr
5 days
Sydney, Australia
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21 Jun - 25 Jun
5 days
Sydney, Australia
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12 Jul - 16 Jul
5 days
Sydney, Australia
What's included
Tuition, logbook, certificate, pre-course reading.
Life-jackets and safety harnesses are provided.
We can loan you wet weather clothing if required.
Accommodation
Due to Covid 19 restrictions our RYA practical courses are currently non live-aboard.
All vessels have an enclosed bathroom on board.
Contact us if you would like to stay on board in the marina for your course.
Catering
Please bring your own lunch and snacks.
We provide tea and coffee on board.
We provide evening meals before the night training exercise
Exam fees
The RYA exam fee is payable to the examiner on the day. (Yachtmaster Coastal $405, Yachtmaster Offshore $465)
Qualifications
- 100 sea miles logged
- RYA Yachtmaster Coastal (Sail) or
- RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (Sail)
Before you start
All Yachtmaster candidates require the following prior to examination.
Radio operator’s certificate
First aid certificate
Seatime - must be logged in the 10 years prior to examination
Yachtmaster Coastal
- 30 days on board, 2 days as skipper, 800 miles, 12 night hours
- For holders of the RYA Coastal Skipper certificate required seatime is reduced to 20 days on board, 2 days as skipper, 400 miles, 12 night hours
Yachtmaster Offshore
- 50 days on board, 5 days as skipper, 2500 miles
- Qualifying passages (5 passages over 60 miles, including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper)
What next?
To use your Yachtmaster Certificate professionally you will need a commercial endorsement for which you need
- A Sea Survival qualification.
- RYA online PPR course.
- A certificate of medical fitness.
Under AMSA regulations in Australia you will also require
See also
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Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR) is a compulsory online course for qualified RYA Yachtmasters who require a Commercial Endorsement. Ignore the dates shown here!
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This passage meets the requirements of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia for crew qualification for the Sydney to Hobart race. It is also a great milebuilder for aspiring Yachtmasters.
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The Yachtmaster Ocean Fast Track in Sydney first trains you for your RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. Then you go on to learn celestial navigation and complete an ocean qualifying passage, in preparation for the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean oral exam.
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This course is for anyone at, or above, RYA Day Skipper standard who wants to develop their boat handling, seamanship and navigation skills and their confidence as a skipper.
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The Flying Fish Yachtmaster Offshore Fast Track in Sydney takes you from novice sailor to the RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence.
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Our Yachtmaster Milebuilders provide the opportunity to log sea miles and qualifying passages in preparation for assessment for the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. You will take part in a series of extended offshore passages by day and night, operating a watch system on board.
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The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory week teaches you celestial navigation, including the use of a sextant. You will leave the course confident that you have the knowledge and skills required to navigate an ocean passage using traditional methods.
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This course prepares experienced skippers for the prestigious RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence. The programme combines the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory course with an exhilarating Pacific ocean qualifying passage.
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The RYA Cruising Instructor course is a requirement for commercial Yachtmasters to teach RYA courses up to Day Skipper level. Qualified instructors are in demand for work at RYA approved schools in Australia, the UK, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
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The Yachtmaster Coastal Fast-Track in Sydney takes you from novice sailor to RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence.
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On completing this course you will have a thorough knowledge of all the theory required for the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence.
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Dayskipper to Yachtmaster Fast-track is designed for confident sailors who have completed RYA Day Skipper or have previous experience as skipper in sheltered waters. It provides an efficient pathway to the Yachtmaster Offshore certificate.
