Yachtmaster Prep and Exam
This live-aboard 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 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 emergency situations to deal with.
The 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 course 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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15 Jun - 19 Jun
5 days
Sydney, Australia
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16 Nov - 20 Nov
5 days
Sydney, Australia
What's included
Tuition, life-jackets and safety harnesses are provided. We can loan you wet weather clothing if required.
Accommodation
Shared cabin accommodation is provided for 4 nights, All vessels have an enclosed bathroom on board.
Catering
We provide all meals on board from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day.
You should expect to eat, at your own cost ashore, for one night.
We cater for vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters.
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
Yachtmaster candidates require the following prior to examination.
Seatime requirements
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 the seatime requirement 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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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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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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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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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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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 passages by day and night, operating a watch system on board.
