Yachtmaster Exam (Sail)

Course Description

RYA Certificates of Competence are some of the most useful and credible of all professional yachting qualifications. They thoroughly test the skipper’s ability, and can therefore appear daunting to potential candidates. We therefore highly recommend taking a preparation course prior to attempting the exam.

The Yachtmaster practical exam involves living aboard and skippering a cruising yacht which will undertake a number of exercises dictated by an Independent RYA/MCA Examiner.

Exam Content

Your RYA examiner will meet you onboard and talk you through the plan for the day. They understand that you could be nervous and will do their best to allay your fears and make sure you are clear about what they want you to do. They are there to find out what you can do, rather than pick holes.

You will be asked to undertake a short passage, but you may have to plan a longer one. In general, you should skipper the yacht in your normal style. If this means putting the kettle on every half hour, then do it!

You will be assessed on every aspect of the Yachtmaster syllabus. The Examiner will spend a minimum of 12 hours (8 for Coastal) with each candidate.

Minimum age: 18

Maximum Student to Instructor ratio: 4:1

Minimum number of Students required to run an exam: 2

If successful, your Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence will be issued by the RYA (not the school) and sent to you in the post.

Pre-exam experience

Yachtmaster Coastal: 30 days, 2 days as skipper, 800 miles, 12 night hours (if you hold the Coastal Skipper course completion certificate this is reduced to 20 days, 2 days as skipper, 400 miles, 12 night hours). Half the qualifying sea time must have been in tidal waters.

Yachtmaster Offshore: 50 days, 2,500 miles including at least 5 passages over 60 miles measured along the rhumb line from the port of departure to the destination, acting as skipper for at least two of these passages and including two which have involved overnight passages. 5 days experience as skipper. At least half this mileage and passages must have been in tidal waters. All qualifying sea time must be within 10 years prior to the exam.

Candidates must have navigation knowledge to the level of the Yachtmaster Shorebased course.

Candidates must also hold a recognised VHF radio certificate and a recognised First Aid qualification

Exam Duration: 2 days

Price:  €594

Price includes exam fees, use of a school yacht, and Greek VAT at the appropriate rate. You will also be required to pay a contribution to the Examiner's travel expenses.