RYA Yachtmaster Preparation Course & Exam - Sailing School Malta

The RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence is one of the most prestigious and widely recognised qualifications in sailing. For serious sailors, it signifies expertise, confidence, and professionalism that sets you apart, whether for personal cruising or commercial work. The Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate can be used commercially and serves as a prerequisite for the MCA Officer of the Watch (OOW) certification, allowing you to skipper vessels up to 3,000 GT worldwide.

At Sailing School Malta, our RYA Yachtmaster Preparation Course & Exam is a 7-day intensive programme designed to ensure experienced sailors are fully prepared to succeed in this challenging assessment.

Why Choose Malta for Yachtmaster Training?

Malta provides the perfect setting for your Yachtmaster preparation:

•  Non-tidal waters reduce complexity, allowing focus on skill refinement.

•  Reliable winds and clear seas create optimal sailing and exam conditions.

•  Scenic sailing grounds, including the Maltese Archipelago, Gozo, and Comino, offer diverse environments for practical exercises.

•  Opportunities to explore historic harbours, charming towns, and local cuisine during evening stops.

This combination of safety, variety, and beautiful surroundings makes Malta a highly recommended destination for sailors aiming for the Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore certification.

Course Overview

•  Duration: 7 days – 5 days practical training + 2 days RYA practical exam

•  Base: Manoel Island Marina, Pontoon D, Malta

•  Yacht: Bavaria 46 Cruiser – modern 46-foot sailing yacht with 4 cabins, 2 heads, 55HP Volvo Penta sail drive, and bow thruster, designed for both comfort and offshore performance.

What’s Included

•  5-day intensive practical training onboard

•  2-day exam with an independent RYA examiner

•  Accommodation onboard during the course and exam

•  Use of the training vessel

•  Fuel and mooring fees

Additional Costs

•  RYA exam fee (from 1 Jan 2025): £256 Offshore, £221 Coastal

•  Examiner expenses: typically €50–€200 per student

•  Optional add-ons: Boat Handling and Sail Handling courses to fine-tune close-quarters manoeuvring and improve confidence before the main preparation week.

Who Should Take This Course

This course is designed for experienced sailors only. Candidates must:

•  Be competent skippers capable of handling a sailing yacht under motor in close-quarters and at sea.

•  Have thorough navigational knowledge, equivalent to the RYA Yachtmaster Theory Course, including chartwork, tides, COLREGS, and meteorology.

•  Have applied this knowledge in real-world conditions, including day and night passages.

•  Meet the minimum sea time and experience required for the Yachtmaster exam.

For candidates lacking theory knowledge, we offer a 2-week combined Theory & Practical package to prepare fully for both practical and theoretical aspects.

Yachtmaster Exam Requirements

Yachtmaster Offshore

•  50 days at sea, 2,500 miles logged on yachts up to 500 GT

•  5 passages over 60 miles (including 2 overnight)

•  5 days as skipper on vessels under 24m LOA

•  At least 50% of sea time in tidal waters

•  All sea time within the last 10 years

Yachtmaster Coastal

•  30 days at sea, 800 miles logged on yachts up to 500 GT

•  12 night hours

•  2 days as skipper

•  At least 50% of sea time in tidal waters

•  All sea time within the last 10 years

•  Navigation skills equivalent to the Yachtmaster Coastal / shorebased course

•  Valid VHF Certificate and First Aid Certificate

•  For commercial endorsement: STCW or RYA Sea Survival Certificate, medical certificate (ENG1 or ML5), and completion of the online PPR Course

•  Candidates must submit a sea miles log to the examiner prior to the exam. Minimum age: 18 years.

What You Will Learn

•  Day and night navigation – plotting accurate courses, dead reckoning, position fixing, night pilotage

•  Man Overboard procedures – fast, confident response and recovery techniques

•  Passage planning and blind navigation – managing fog and low-visibility situations

•  Crew management and leadership – effective communication and delegation onboard

•  Emergency situations and safety procedures – fire, flooding, engine failure, and medical emergencies

•  Boat handling under sail and motor – close-quarters, anchoring, mooring, heavy-weather manoeuvres

•  Diesel engine troubleshooting – basic maintenance and problem-solving

•  International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS/COLREGS)

Our instructors simulate exam conditions, helping candidates handle stress, make confident decisions, and refine skills before the formal RYA assessment.

Typical Course Itinerary – Malta

•  Day 1 – Safety briefing, yacht familiarisation, man overboard drills, close-quarters manoeuvring. Anchor overnight, often in St. Paul’s Bay.

•  Day 2 – Advanced boat handling, helming, anchoring, short coastal passages. Destinations: Marsaxlokk, Comino, Pretty Bay.

•  Day 3 – Navigation exercises, blind sailing, night pilotage, low-visibility drills.

•  Day 4 – Theory refresh, COLREGs review, passage planning exercises, mock assessment.

•  Day 5 – Final preparation, meet your RYA examiner, review passage plan, vessel readiness, and gear.

•  Day 6–7 – Practical Yachtmaster exam. Tasks include navigation, boat handling, emergency procedures, leadership, and decision-making. Exams conclude by Sunday afternoon with debriefing.

Accommodation & Onboard Life

•  Students stay onboard the Bavaria 46 Cruiser for the full course.

•  4 cabins for comfortable accommodation

•  2 heads and showers

•  Fully stocked galley for self-catering

•  Maximum of 3 students plus instructor

Evenings are spent at anchor or in marinas with hot showers and shore facilities, providing realistic onboard experience while maintaining comfort.

Course Fees & Booking

•  Practical Training + Exam (5 days + 2 days): €1,500 per person

•  Additional costs: RYA exam fee (£256 Offshore, £221 Coastal), examiner expenses (€50–€200)

•  Assistance with extended stay accommodations available upon request.

Embark on your Yachtmaster journey in Malta and take your sailing to a professional level. With expert instructors, intensive preparation, and Malta’s perfect sailing conditions, you’ll leave the course confident, skilled, and ready to take on the world.

RYA Yachtmaster