This is an Advanced Navigation Course. The official RYA title of the Yachtmaster Theory course is the Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased course. Courses are held in classrooms in London or Southampton or on Zoom.
The Yachtmaster Theory course is a shorebased course in more advanced navigation techniques. It is assumed you will have done the Day Skipper theory course. The course teaches you about navigating safely on coastal and offshore passages.
If you have done an RYA Day Skipper Theory Course or owned a boat for a while and have already done a reasonable amount of navigating this shorebased Yachtmaster Theory course is the next step for you. Offering more advanced instruction in navigation and meteorology.
We have a variety of ways to take the Yachtmaster Theory course. Which format suits you?
Looking for a practical Course? Coastal Skipper Practical course, Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams.
If you enjoyed the Day Skipper theory course or have plans to progress to Coastal Skipper practical, Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore then you should be taking this course.
The Yachtmaster Theory course is the next course on from the Day Skipper theory course. It goes into a lot more detail that which is covered in the Day Skipper theory course.
The course is an advanced course in navigation techniques. The syllabus makes some provision for the revision of subjects covered on the Day Skipper Course but those who have not acquired the knowledge set out in the Day Skipper Course are unlikely to be able to assimilate all the subjects covered in this advanced course in the time available.
Minimum Pre Course Experience: Day Skipper Shorebased Course. Although some time is devoted to revision of the basic principles, you will probably have difficulty keeping up if you haven't already mastered the subjects covered in the Day Skipper syllabus. If you have owned a boat for a while and have done some of your own navigation but have not had any formal training then you may well be able to go straight to this course without doing the Day Skipper Shorebased course.
Ability after the Course: Background knowledge to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day and night.
Course Content: Offshore and Coastal navigation, pilotage coastal and offshore passages.
There are different ways that you can take the Yachmaster/Coastakl Skipper Shorebased course.
If you have space we can also run a course in your office and have specialised in doing this for 20+ years. If this might interest you have a look here and do get in touch.
All formats of the Yachtmaster Theory course come with an extensive set of materials to assist you with the course including:
What if I have to miss a lesson?
It is not a problem if you have to miss a lesson providing you are prepared to put some effort into catching up. We provide a comprehensive set of notes including a memory stick with the slides the instructor shows. There is a bit of homework each week and providing you do this you know you will have caught up sufficiently. Also the instructor is there half an hour before the start of each class and can often stay behind afterwards if required.
Start Times
Courses are run over 40 hours plus time for exams. Zoom class timings vary and you should check the timings of the specific course dates that you are interested in. The link below will take you to the different dates.
An advanced course in the theory of navigation and meteorology for sailors with some previous navigational experience, the course builds on basic navigation skills, developing a comprehensive depth of knowledge and understanding of navigation theories, techniques and practices. The Yachtmaster/Coastal Skipper Theory Course covers all the background knowledge needed to progress to the practical examinations for the RYA Coastal Skipper or RYA Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore Certificates of Competence.
The course includes position fixing, magnetic compass, tides, tidal streams, buoyage, lights, pilotage, and introduction to GPS and plotters, meteorology, collision prevention regulations, safety, navigation and passage planning.
You need for the course a set of plotters and dividers. [Picture]. We can provide them for £20 and you can pick them up at the first class. Alternatively you can buy them from most chandleries but they will probably be more expensive. You will be asked if you want us to supply you with this item when you book a course.
If you haven't already got a logbook you should buy one. They are £7.49. The Logbook [picture] is a place to record your miles and keep your certificates. It outlines the whole RYA Cruising Scheme giving the course content for each course.
We advise bringing a briefcase or bag to transport the course materials away on the first night.
"What did you like most about about your course? Well-defined and beautifully balanced act between people, didactics and technology. Combo is rarely achieved successfully but it hits the bull's eye! How would you rate the support you received during your course on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being very poor and 5 being excellent? 5 no doubt. From the first feedback onwards it's guaranteed you are not alone! I like the way anecdotes and facts are sprinkled occasionally alongside the syllabus, like recent ship wrecks in the Channel, etc. This certainly makes reading more interesting as text books tend to be somewhat drier. Please use any occasion to exploit that approach. That enriches the reader immensely as it is first-hand knowledge in its purest form, and that is certainly difficult to obtain anywhere else. Well done. "
LJ,"The Instructor was an excellent coach and really took the time with our class to ensure we all understood all aspects of the course. He was patient and prepared to take the time to ensure we all had the best knowledge transferred to us. He was an excellent instructor and had a significant amount of detailed knowledge that was most helpful to me and the rest of the class. He is passionate and fully committed to his work and goes above and beyond to ensure you are capable and have a really enjoyable experience learning with him. First Class Sailing are well organised and the logistics, course material and facilities were all top notch "
David, Director"First Class Sailing should be your only choice for embarking on any theoretical or practical learning experience you may require. Regardless of previous experience it is defiantly No1. Choice for getting the best start around your sailing experience requirements. "
David, Director"An excellent outfit, well equipped with good boats and brilliant instructors, that is small enough to give a warm personal service but big enough to cope with the full gamut of yachting experiences"
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Colin McKnight,"Professional and effective. Good equipment, taught by knowledgable and enthusiastic professionals."
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Hannah T.,"Good clear explanations and pragmatic approach, was very easy to follow. Excellent instructor."
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Sarah R.,"Friendly informative courses delivered in a relaxed environment by knowledgeable instructors. "
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