Unlike other qualifications in the cruising programme, there is no formal training course to become an RYA Yachtmaster. Instead, provided you have sufficient experience, certification and seatime, you can put yourself forward for an exam to test your skills and knowledge. Sailing Pro provides RYA navigation courses that will help you prepare for your exam.

This course is suitable for those looking to gain an RYA/ MCA certification. It is the next logical step for those have completed the RYA Coastal Skipper practical course or have the equivalent amount of sailing experience. This Procida based course is run over 7 days. The first 5 days are spent on-board with an experienced Yachtmaster Instructor, where we run through various scenarios that are likely to come up during the examination. At the end of the 5 day course, and independent RYA examiner joins the yacht for the weekend to assess the candidates on-board.

Minimum age: 17.
Included in the fee: Accommodation onboard, fuel, insurance while aboard.
Not included in the fee:
- Mooring fees outside of our base in Procida, food.
- The RYA exam fee is not included and is payable to the examiner on the day. This is currently £200 for the Yachtmaster Coastal exam and £231 for the Yachtmaster Offshore exam.

Sailing experience: 30 days, 2 days as skipper, 800 nautical miles and 12 night hours on board a cruising yacht. All qualifying sea time must have taken place within the last 10 years. (If you hold the Coastal Skipper practical course completion certificate this is reduced to 20 days, 2 days as skipper, 400 miles, 12 night hours.)

Assumed theoretical knowledge :
Coastal Skipper/ Yachtmaster shore based course completion certificate or the equivalent knowledge of someone who has attended the course.

Other certificates required by Yachtmaster exam candidates:
GMDSS SRC VHF marine radio certificate.
In date recognised First Aid certificate.

In each section the examiner will expect to see the candidate take full responsibility for the management of the yacht and crew. The candidate will be expected to demonstrate an understanding, but may not have had the opportunity to practise all aspects of the syllabus under a range of different weather conditions. All candidates must be familiar with:

Navigation
Boat handling
Man Overboard recovery
Safety
Meteorology
Adverse Weather Conditions
Skippering Ability
Long Passages

Passport
Passport photo
Sunglasses with retainer
Sun screen and hat
Clothing and shoes appropriate to the weather conditions and the season
Sleeping bag
Pillow case
Gloves
Quick drying travel towel
Sea sickness tablets
Any prescription medicines or dietary needs
Head torch
Classroom reference books (G158 mandatory)