Looking to confidently navigate coastal and offshore passages?
As the intermediate course, the RYA Yachtmaster builds on your RYA Day Skipper knowledge and gives you the skills and knowledge needed to sail further in deeper waters.
But how long is the RYA Yachtmaster valid for?
Read on to find out everything you need to know about the RYA Yachtmaster course.
Does the RYA Yachtmaster expire?
Like most other RYA sailing certificates, including the RYA Day Skipper and RYA Ocean, once you have demonstrated the required standard, you hold that certification for life.
This means that once you have studied and passed your theory certification, you can pursue your practical RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore unit whenever you have the time, with the theory you need to support you.
This also means that you can take a break in your studies if need be, making time to focus on career development or your family without concerns about sailing progress.
How very convenient!
What is covered in the Yachtmaster syllabus?
The RYA Yachtmaster syllabus is designed to be detailed and build on knowledge and skills gained on the theory and practical RYA Day Skipper courses – as such, it wouldn’t be the best idea to go for this qualification without completing them first.
Although it won’t be impossible, you may find that you have to spend far longer than the advertised 40 hours studying as you don’t have the background familiarity with essential concepts to move forward on the course.
The RYA Yachtmaster course covers:
- Charts and other publications
- Definition of position, time, speed, and distance
- The compass (including allowance for deviation and swinging the compass)
- Tidal theory
- Tidal heights, including secondary ports
- Tidal streams, including interpolation of drift
- Estimated position
- Course to steer
- Visual aids for navigation
- Electronic aids for navigation
- Pilotage
- Passage planning
- Meteorology, including interpreting surface pressure charts
- The Collision Regulations 1972 (COLREGs)
- Safety and protection of the environment
Where can I sail with the RYA Yachtmaster certificate?
Once you have completed the RYA Yachtmaster theory and practical courses, including the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam, you will be suitably qualified to skipper a vessel up to 150 miles from shore.
Not only does this vastly increase your range for personal sailing, but it also holds the gateway to employment – as most employers will ask for the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or Ocean qualification.
If you wanted to sail a yacht around the world someday, you could make this happen by taking the RYA Yachtmaster and RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exams, followed by the RYA Ocean qualifications – something that would be much harder without the background the RYA Yachtmaster gives you.
Choose trusted suppliers of RYA Yachtmaster qualifications
Depending on how much free time you have and how you prefer to learn, you can now pick from a choice of online and in-person courses to help you gain the sailing qualifications you need.
If you have less free time and prefer to work to your own schedule whenever you like, online providers of the RYA Yachtmaster might be best – putting you firmly in charge of your own destiny without any worries about commuting and fitting it all in.
This, partnered with detailed tuition from experienced skippers and a range of support options, will ensure you achieve your RYA Yachtmaster course before you know it.
Veronica Baxter is a writer, blogger, and legal assistant operating out of the greater Philadelphia area.
