Yachtmaster short courses

Plot your own course to Yachtmaster or up-skill in specific areas with our short-course options.

Too busy to commit to a full-time Yachtmaster Fast-Track programme? Plan your own step-by-step pathway to certification in stages. 

If you are an experienced sailor looking to refresh your skills or fill in a few holes in your knowledge then select the short courses relevant to your needs.

 To save money book three or more courses on the same order and receive a 10% discount across the order.

Plan your passage to Yachtmaster.

1. Select a stage​

Select the stage relevant to your level of experience and certification. 

2. Choose courses​

Book your first course at a time and date that suits you. Add additional courses as required to achieve your stage goal.

3. Move to the next stage

Plan your next stage of training to achieve your desired level of certification.

Stage 1: Zero to Day Skipper

The RYA Dayskipper Practical certificate is the Stage 1 goal.  The courses below are all relevant to becoming  a competent Day Skipper. RYA Day Skipper is widely regarded as the recreational charter skipper qualification.

List_Dayskipper_Fast_Track.jpg

Day Skipper Fast Track

From beginner to RYA qualified Day Skipper in just four weeks! Gain a package of internationally recognized qualifications and enjoy an inspiring training adventure on Sydney Harbour.

4 weeks

$5,990.00

List_RSZest_Dinghy_Sailing_course.jpg

Dinghy Sailing - Start Sailing (Level 1)

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the exciting sport of dinghy sailing. It is an intensive, fun-packed programme, starting with the core sailing skills.

2 days

$495.00

List_CompetentCrew_5days.jpg

Competent Crew - 5 days

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to yachting and leads to a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) certificate. The course is designed for novice sailors who want to become valuable and active crew members. By the end of the course, you should be able to steer, handle sails and mooring lines, and assist in all boat and sail handling procedures on board.

5 days

$1,895.00

List_DayskipperShorebasedTheory.jpg

Day Skipper Shorebased Theory

The RYA Dayskipper shore-based course provides a comprehensive introduction to chartwork, navigation, meteorology, safety, and seamanship and provides the underpinning theory knowledge essential for recreational skippers. It will help you make informed decisions on the water and feel confident about being in charge.

5 days

$1,395.00

List_DaySkipperPratical_5days.jpg

Day Skipper Practical - 5 days

This comprehensive skills development course leads to the RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate. RYA Day Skipper certificate holders are entitled to an International Certificate for Operator of Pleasure Craft (ICC), which is generally required for a European yacht charter.

5 days

$1,895.00

Flying-Fish-Sailing-00001%400.5x.jpg

ACMA Marine Radio License (VHF, HF, GMDSS)

This one-day Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) approved course teaches you to use VHF (Short Range) as well as MF and HF (Long Range) radio for distress, urgency, safety, and general calls. The course includes GMDSS and DSC

1 day

$395.00

Flying-Fish-Sailing-firstaid%400.5x.jpg

Marine First Aid

This course has been specifically designed for those working in the marine environment and is ideal for boat owners, watersports instructors, yacht skippers, and crew. The course leads to an internationally recognised first aid qualification.

1 day

$365.00

Stage 2: Day Skipper to Yachtmaster

Stage 2 is for competent Day Skippers who are on a path to Yachtmaster. The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate is the benchmark qualification for professional yacht captains and is strongly recommended for recreational skippers operating offshore.
List_Let%20Loose%20Broach.jpg

Introduction to Spinnakers and Racing

Learn some tricks of the trade so you can be safe on the race course. Racing with spinnakers is exciting but it also presents new risks. Flying a kite requires the crew to perform a number of tasks in the correct order.

2 days

$795.00

List_Winch_Maintenance.jpg

Basic Yacht Maintenance

This course provides a grounding in the essential maintenance tasks required to keep a modern cruising yacht on the water.

3 days

$1,495.00

Flying-Fish-Sailing-00001%400.5x.jpg

ACMA Marine Radio License (VHF, HF, GMDSS)

This one-day Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) approved course teaches you to use VHF (Short Range) as well as MF and HF (Long Range) radio for distress, urgency, safety, and general calls. The course includes GMDSS and DSC

1 day

$395.00

Flying-Fish-Sailing-firstaid%400.5x.jpg

Marine First Aid

This course has been specifically designed for those working in the marine environment and is ideal for boat owners, watersports instructors, yacht skippers, and crew. The course leads to an internationally recognised first aid qualification.

1 day

$365.00

List_Arctos_Offshore_milebuilder.jpg

Yachtmaster Milebuilder and Qualifying Passages

Our Yachtmaster Milebuilders provide the opportunity to log sea miles and qualifying passages in preparation for the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate assessment. You will take part in a series of extended offshore passages by day and night, operating a watch system on board.

16 days

$4,990.00

List_Yachtmater_Shorebased_theory.jpg

Yachtmaster Shorebased Theory

Upon completing this course, you will have a thorough knowledge of all the theory required for the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence.

6 days

$1,595.00

List_Coastal%20Skipper%20Practical.jpg

Coastal Skipper Practical

The RYA Coastal Skipper course provides you with the opportunity to develop your seamanship, boat handling and navigation skills offshore by day and night. It is a stepping stone towards the Yachtmaster Certificates of Competence.

5 days

$1,895.00

List_YM_Practical_Skills.jpg

Yachtmaster Practical Skills

This course is for anyone at or above the RYA Day Skipper standard who wants to develop their boat handling, seamanship, and navigation skills and confidence as a skipper.

5 days

$1,895.00

List_Matt_WeddingCake.jpg

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.

5 days

$1,995.00

Stage 3: Yachtmaster Commercial

To work as a professional Yachtmaster you need the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate and some additional courses for commercial endorsement of your qualification. See details of the courses required at the bottom of this page.

To work as an RYA certified Yacht Cruising Instructor at over 2400 registered schools in 58 countries you need to pass your Yachtmaster Offshore examination, get a commercial endorsement, and complete a Yacht Cruising Instructor course.

Flying-Fish-Sailing-00001%400.5x.jpg

AS/ISAF Offshore Safety and Sea Survival

This two-day course meets the requirements of World Sailing (formerly ISAF), RYA and AS for crew planning to take part in offshore yacht races like the Sydney to Hobart race. The course is also highly recommended for anyone going to sea for any purpose.

2 days

$695.00

List_First_Aid.jpg

Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR)

Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR) is a compulsory online course for qualified RYA Yachtmasters who require a Commercial Endorsement. Ignore the dates shown here!

1 day

$129.00

List_Diesel_Engines.jpg

RYA Diesel Engines

This course gives you an overall awareness of the central systems of a marine diesel engine. We teach you how to take simple measures to prevent mechanical breakdown at sea and rectify defects that do not require workshop support.

1 day

$395.00

List_PB2_MOB.jpg

RYA Powerboat Level 2

This course provides intensive training in the practical skills and theoretical knowledge the small boat driver needs. You will learn to drive our rigid inflatable rescue craft.

2 days

$695.00

List_Instructor_Training.jpg

Yacht Cruising Instructor

The RYA Cruising Instructor course is for professional, commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmasters who want to become accredited to teach RYA courses at a network of over 2,400 RYA-recognised training centres in 58 countries.

5 days

$1,995.00

Stage 4: Yachtmaster Ocean Theory and Passage​

Stage 4 courses are for those who want to take their certification to the highest level. With a commercially endorsed RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of competence your qualification is unrestricted by distance.
List_Yachtmaster_Ocean_theory.jpg

Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Theory

The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shore-based week teaches you ocean passage planning and 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.

5 days

$2,190.00

List_YMOTH_QP.jpg

Yachtmaster Ocean Theory & Qualifying Passage

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.

4 weeks

$7,990.00

Flying-Fish-Sailing-x.5-00093.jpg

Yachtmaster Ocean Fast Track

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.

16 weeks

$24,990.00

  • Try Yachting

    3 hours
    Experience the magic of sailing on Sydney Harbour on one of our comfortable yachts. This short lesson introduces you to the exciting sport of sailing in a safe and controlled way.
    $199.00
  • Discover Yachting

    1 day
    Spend a fabulous day sailing on Sydney Harbour aboard one of our comfortable yachts. This is an excellent way to gently learn the ropes, meet new friends, and have a whole lot of fun in the great outdoors. Please choose one of our scheduled dates or enquire below to book it as a private event for your group.
    $395.00

Yachtmaster Fast-Track

Prefer to complete it faster? Choose a Fast-track course.

Accelerated courses, meticulously planned to take you from zero to Yachtmaster in a matter of weeks.

 A Flying Fish Yachtmaster Fast Track course is a professional sailing programme packed with training and adventure. 

Australia's top Yachtmaster Courses

Professional instructors and fabulous yachts.

Flying Fish employ a team of highly qualified, friendly and professional instructors and operate a range of fabulous training yachts.

Worldwide employment opportunities

A commercially endorsed Yachtmaster qualification is a passport to employment in the yachting industry.

  • Try Yachting

    3 hours
    Experience the magic of sailing on Sydney Harbour on one of our comfortable yachts. This short lesson introduces you to the exciting sport of sailing in a safe and controlled way.
    $199.00
  • Discover Yachting

    1 day
    Spend a fabulous day sailing on Sydney Harbour aboard one of our comfortable yachts. This is an excellent way to gently learn the ropes, meet new friends, and have a whole lot of fun in the great outdoors. Please choose one of our scheduled dates or enquire below to book it as a private event for your group.
    $395.00