RYA Yacht Master Preparation and Examination on Moosk MK180925

Embark	Disembark	Vessel	Duration	Voyage No
Thu 18-09-2025, 16:00Plymouth, UK	Thu 25-09-2025, 12:00Plymouth, UK	Moosk	7 Nights	MK180925

Voyage Description

PLEASE NOTE: Course cost does not include the exam fee, which is paid direct to the RYA. There is no need to pay the exam fee until the end of the preparation course, and only if you feel that you are ready to be examined by an external examiner. Exam fees are payable to the RYA directly (currently £208 for Yachtmaster Coastal and £241 for Yachtmaster Offshore).

This is a brilliant opportunity to get your RYA Coastal or Offshore Yachtmaster qualification. An RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate of competence is often the ultimate aim of aspiring skippers. It is a well known, highly respected qualification worldwide, proving your experience and competence as a skipper, whether you want it for leisure or for a sailing career. If you are not quite ready for a Yachtmaster Offshore exam you can use this same preparation course before being examined for Yachtmaster Coastal. The pre-requisites and breadth of experience for this course are less.

Students learning on Moosk for their RYA course on a traditional boat

RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore or Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competency – Preparation Course (exam optional)

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 seatime (see pre-requisites), you can put yourself forward for an exam to test your skills and knowledge. This exam takes place on an approved yacht with an external RYA examiner testing 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.

Our Yachtmaster Prep course has a generous 5 days (more than most schools) and 2 days set aside after the course for those that feel ready to take the exam. Minimum age for our RYA Yachtmaster courses is 18 years.

Benchmark for a Successful Exam Pass

If you have not completed a shore-based Coastal skipper/Yachtmaster theory course then please check the syllabus to make sure you are confident with your theoretical knowledge (especially Rules of the Road IRPCS) and the practical application of navigational skills.

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 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)

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.

"Moosk under sail, gaff yawl RYA Yachtmaster courses on traditional boats"

Yachtmaster Coastal Pre-Exam Requirements

You must be over 18 years of age & qualifying experience gained over the age of 15.
Radio Operators Certificate – for example (restricted) VHF Radio Operators Certificate or a GMDSS Short Range Certification or higher grade marine radio qualification.
Valid First Aid Certificate – First Aid certificates held by police / fire or armed services are also acceptable.
Seatime – 800 miles logged within 10 years of the examination. 30 days on board. 2 days as skipper and 12 night hours. (half the qualifying seatime must have been conducted in tidal waters)

Yachtmaster Offshore Pre-Exam Requirements

You must be over 18 years of age & qualifying experience gained over the age of 15.
Radio Operators Certificate – for example (restricted) VHF Radio Operators Certificate or a GMDSS Short Range Certification or higher grade marine radio qualification.
Valid First Aid Certificate – First Aid certificates held by police / fire or armed servicesare also acceptable.
Seatime – 2500 miles. 50 days on board. At least 5 passages over 60 miles and acting as skipper for at least 2 of these passages and including two which have involved overnight passages.
Skipper experience – at least 5 days as skipper. (Half the qualifying seatime must have been conducted in tidal waters)
50 Days seatime & 5 days as skipper – 2500 miles logged – 5 passages over 60 miles -including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper. Qualifying passages must be over 60 miles non stop by the most direct route and involve no change of skipper during the passage.

Bring with you to the exam

RYA logbook or evidence of your sailing experience and qualifying passages
Passport photo
Cheque or credit card details for Exam fee payable to the RYA
First Aid Certificate
VHF Radio Operators Certificate

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

You can do a RYA Course in the UK or abroad, but the Devon and Cornwall coast takes some beating for variety, scenery and challenge. Off the coast of South Devon and Cornwall, the water is deep with a few rocky hazards, but none of the complexity of the Solent sand bars and busy shipping. As skipper or navigator, this coastline will give you a broad education. The courses are about going places, so you can experience a wide range of sailing experiences:- anchoring in remote bays, mooring in sheltered rivers, coming alongside harbour walls or pontoons, night sailing.