RYA Coastal and Offshore Yachtmaster
An RYA Yachtmaster Certificate is the ultimate sailing qualification for many sailors. You might want the Yachtmaster CoC to be able to charter yachts as skipper anywhere in the world. You might want proof that you have reached the pinnacle of your leisure sailing ambitions. Or you might need it for a sailing career. It is the nautical equivalent of a driving license, whatever boats you’re in to.
If you pass and meet the prerequisites to convert it into a commercially endorsed MCA/RYA Certificate of Competency, you are legally qualified to skipper a vessel up to 24 metres or up to 200 tonnes.
Why do a Yachtmaster Preparation Course?
Unlike other courses in the cruising programme, there is no formal training to complete in order to become a Yachtmaster Offshore. Instead, provided that you have sufficient experience and sea-time (see prerequisites below), you can put yourself forward for an exam. This exam takes place on an approved yacht with an external RYA examiner. They will test both your practical skills and your theoretical knowledge over 5-9 hours per candidate, or slightly longer if you are the only candidate being examined.
Doing a prep course with an optional exam at the end allows you to get to grips with the boat you’ll be examined on. You’ll also have plenty of time and instructor support to help brush up on any areas of the syllabus you’re not 100% confident with. You can also then decide whether to put yourself forward for Yachtmaster Offshore, or go for the more accessible Yachtmaster Coastal exam.
What’s the Difference Between Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore?
A RYA Yachtmaster Coastal (formerly Coastal Skipper) should have the knowledge to skipper a yacht on coastal cruises but does not necessarily have the experience needed to undertake longer passages. A Coastal ticket qualifies you to skipper a yacht up to 24 meters (79 ft) in length, operating within 20 to 60 miles from a safe haven.
A RYA Yachtmaster Offshore should be able to enter any well-charted harbour for the first time, with sufficient depth, by day or night. The only way to gain confidence is by practice, particularly at night when skill is required in picking out navigation lights and buoys against a background of shore lights. (If you have colour blindness please talk to us before booking). An Offshore ticket qualifies you to skipper vessels up to 24 meters (79 ft) in length up to 150 miles from a safe haven.
Both examinations cover the same syllabus, including navigation, boat handling, general seamanship, safety, collision regulations (ColRegs), and meteorology. However, the Yachtmaster Offshore exam demands a higher level of expertise and the ability to handle more complex scenarios.
With a course over 7 days, your fully qualified instructor will be able to devote plenty of time to your individual needs with regular debriefings and coaching aimed at helping you to raise your standards.
Course Prerequisites
Pre-course experience
At least half of the qualifying seatime must have been in tidal waters. All seatime must be logged within 10 years of the exam.
Yachtmaster Coastal:
- 800 miles
- 30 days on board
- 2 days as skipper
- 12 night hours
Yachtmaster Offshore:
- 2500 miles
- 50 days on board
- At least 5 passages of over 60 miles non-stop, taking a direct route and involving no change of skipper
- At least 2 of these passages acting as skipper
- At least 2 of these passages involving overnight sailing
- At least 5 full days as skipper
Assumed knowledge
Theory to the level of Yachtmaster. It is highly recommended that you complete the Yachtmaster Theory course beforehand.
Required Qualifications
Radio Operators Certificate: e.g a VHF Radio Operators Certificate or a GMDSS Short Range Certification.
Valid First Aid Certificate – this can be First Aid certificates held by police / fire or armed servicesare also acceptable.
Minimum age
18 to take the exam, with all qualifying experience over the age of 15.
RYA Yachtmaster SyllabusBoat handling, responsibilities, navigation, position, the magnetic compass, tide, buoyage, lights, pilotage, GPS, echo sounds, logs, meteorology, rules of the road, safety at sea, navigation in restricted visibility, passage planning…
Find out more: Full RYA Yachtmaster Syllabus
Find a RYA Yachtmaster Prep Course & Exam Discover Our Online RYA Theory Courses
