The Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence Exam can be taken in a powered or sail craft (i.e. there are two separate disciplines). Much of the route (the shorebased courses) is identical for both disciplines.
There are actually three levels of Yachtmaster (Coastal, Offshore and Ocean). When people refer to “Yachtmaster” they are generally referring to Yachtmaster Offshore. This article focuses on Coastal and Offshore, our separate article, “What is an Ocean Yachtmaster” deals with the higher level of the three.
The route to Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore is similar, candidates for both will have followed a similar pathway, but the offshore candidate will have logged considerably more experience prior to exam and will be pushed harder during the exam. Visit our helpful RYA Advanced and Yachtmaster Qualifying mileage page for more information.
The route to Yachtmaster has several stepping stones, most students work through Day Skipper Shorebased and Day Skipper Practical and then Coastal Skipper, however if you already have relevant experience and skills you can consider skipping these courses.
Before considering embarking on a Yachtmaster practical week, you must arm yourself with;
- Qualifying mileage (power or sail as appropriate)
- One of
- RYA SRC (1 day) or
- Higher level GMDSS Radio Certificate of Competence (3-8 day)
- One of
- RYA First Aid (1 day) or
- STCW Elementary First Aid (1 day) or
- STCW Medical First Aid (4 day) or
- Seafish First Aid
- RYA Coastal Skipper & Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased (6 days or online)
- Knowledge level to RYA Radar (1 day)
- Knowledge level to RYA Diesel (1 day)
You are also strongly advised to take the RYA Sea Survival or STW PST Course (1 day), which is required if you intend to operate as a commercial Yachtmaster (most candidates take the exam for commercial reasons and add the RYA Commercial Endorsement however some are leisure boaters and do it for themselves).
Our Yachtmaster practical (preparation and exam) week is 5 days, it takes place on board our motorboat and results in the Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore (Power) Certificates of Competence. If you prefer to take the sail exam we can put you in touch with a sail school once you have all of the above shorebased courses. During the prep week our Instructor will take you through many of the exercises the examiner is likely to throw at you on the final day. We operate the prep week with a maximum of 3 students.
