RYA Yachtmaster Scheme
Overview
This page outlines the RYA training scheme, and the courses you can take at our schools. We also have non-RYA courses for those who are not looking for certification. This gives an alternative training program, ideal for improving specific skills and helps to build on the RYA syllabus shown below.
We outline our non-RYA training options here.
To learn more about the RYA, the standards that Seafarer Training adhere to as well as find out where our schools are click here.
Course Flexibility
The training scheme outlined below is covered in more detail in the RYA publication G158 log book. This book will be available for you to look at during your course. It is recommended that if you plan on doing multiple courses that you buy a copy of your own, either before you travel or at one of our training centres upon arrival.
Due to the modular nature of the RYA training, students that do not pass a chosen course will still be able to have sections signed off in there logbook. This means that you can return to an RYA training centre to complete only those aspects of the course where you need more time.
While you will have booked to take a particular course, This is not fixed, and there is some flexibility to change to an alternative very early on in the course. This flexibility is useful for students unsure if they are ready for their day skipper. There are no charges for this, we endeavour to ensure that you get the best and most appropriate training possible.
For more advice, please feel free to call us.
Beginner
Stepping into the world of sailing for the first time is exciting and exhilarating. These practical on-the-water courses build confidence, teaching you everything from basic terminology and safety tips to handling sails. You’ll become a useful crew member, and take the helm for the first time.
RYA Start Yachting
Requirements
Minimum duration: 2 days
Recommendations
Experience: none
Minimum age: 8
This course is for beginners wanting a taster of yachting or for budding sailors too young for Competent Crew. While it is a 2-day course in the UK, we can run this over a week in our Mediterranean Schools.
RYA Competent Crew
Requirements
Minimum duration: 5 days
3 days (with start yachting certificate)
Recommendations
Experience: none
Minimum age: 12
This course is ideal for beginners to learn the basics and for those who would like to become active crew members rather than passengers.
Intermediate
Building on previous RYA courses, or from your own experience at sea, these courses aim to refine your skills, focusing on seamanship and how to skipper a sailing yacht and manage its crew. Combined with the theory courses, your knowledge, and confidence on the water, will be taken to the next level.
RYA Day Skipper Shorebased
Requirements
None
Recommendations
Experience: Some practical sailing experience to help understand the content
The Day Skipper Shorebased course is a comprehensive introduction to cruising for inexperienced skippers. We offer this as an online course in cooperation with Navathome, giving you the flexibility to fit in with your busy lifestyle. We offer our practical training at a discount when you purchase this course.
RYA Day Skipper Practical
Requirements
Minimum duration: 5 days
Minimum age: 16
Recommendations
Experience: 5 days, 100 miles, 4 night hours on board a sailing yacht
Assumed knowledge: Theory to the level of Day Skipper. It is recommended you obtain the Day Skipper shorebased course beforehand.
This is the most popular course in the syllabus. This certificate represents the standard required to skipper a yacht in numerous worldwide destination.
A course for aspiring skippers with some yachting experience and basic navigation and sailing skills.
Advanced
RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory
Requirements
None
Recommendations
Experience: Some practical & theoretical sailing experience to help understand the content.
Advanced training for more experienced skippers building on the Day Skipper course. This course equips you to navigate safely on coastal and offshore passages. We offer our practical training at a discount when you purchase this course.
RYA Coastal Skipper Practical
Requirements
Minimum duration: 5 days
Minimum age: 17
Recommendations
Experience: 15 days, 2 days as skipper, 300 miles, 8 night hours
Assumed Skills: Boat handling to the standard of Day Skipper
Assumed knowledge: Navigation to shorebased Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster™ Offshore
Advanced skippering techniques requiring considerable knowledge of sailing and navigation, aimed at those skippers wanting to undertake coastal passages by day and night.
Professional
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal
Requirements
Minimum duration:6-10 hours for one candidate, 8-14 hours for two candidates
Minimum age: 17 at the time of the exam
Minimum Seatime
Experience:
- 30 days at sea on a vessel less than 24m LOA, which may be reduced to 12 days at sea on vessels less than 24m LOA or substituted with 30 days at sea on yachts under 500gt2 if an RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course completion certificate or an RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence is held
- 2 days as skipper on a vessel less than 24m LOA
- 800 miles, which may be reduced to 400 miles on vessels less than 24m LOA or substituted with 800 miles at sea on yachts under 500gt2 if an RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course completion certificate or an RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence is held
- 12 night hours
At least half the qualifying sea time should be gained in tidal waters.
Assumed Skills: Boat handling beyond the level of Coastal Skipper
Assumed knowledge: Navigation to shorebased Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster™ Offshore
Certification Required:
- A GMDSS compliant Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate such as the RYA Short Range Certificate or higher.
- An RYA First Aid Certificate or another valid first aid certificate, as detailed on the RYA website.
An RYA Yachtmaster™ 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.
Unlike other courses in the cruising programme, there is no formal training to complete to become a Yachtmaster™. Instead, provided that you have sufficient experience and sea time, you can put yourself forward for an exam to test your skills and knowledge.
We can provide a range of training and preparation courses for you, please contact us for more information.
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore
Requirements
Minimum duration:8-12 hours for one candidate, 10-18 hours for two candidates. No more than two candidates can be examined in 24 hours and no more than four candidates can be examined in one 2 day session.
Minimum age: 18 at the time of the exam
Minimum Seatime
Experience:
- 50 days at sea on yachts up to 500gt2 which may be reduced to 25 days if the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence
- 5 days as skipper on vessels less than 24m LOA, which may be reduced to 3 days if the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence
- 2500 miles on yachts up to 500gt2, which may be reduced to 1250 miles if the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence
- 5 passages over 60 miles long, which must include 2 overnight passages and 2 as skipper, which may be reduced to 3 passages including 1 overnight and 1 as skipper if the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence
At least half the qualifying sea time should be gained in tidal waters.
Assumed Skills: Boat handling beyond the level of Yachtmaster Coastal
Assumed knowledge: Navigation to shorebased Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster™ Offshore
Certification Required:
- A GMDSS compliant Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate such as the RYA Short Range Certificate or higher.
- An RYA First Aid Certificate or another valid first aid certificate, as detailed on the RYA website.
An RYA Yachtmaster™ 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.
Unlike other courses in the cruising programme, there is no formal training to complete to become a Yachtmaster™. Instead, provided that you have sufficient experience and sea time, you can put yourself forward for an exam to test your skills and knowledge.
We can provide a range of training and preparation courses for you, please contact us for more information.
