RYA Yachtmaster Preparation And Exam
ACHIEVE | KNOWLEDGE | SKIPPERING | EXAM | PREPARATION
7 days 1500 Max 3 students
This intensive coaching session will help prepare you for the examination which gives you the most respected yachting qualification in the world.
Upcoming Course Dates
Please contact us if you're interested. We can only offer the final Yachtmaster exams by prior arrangement.‍
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The Yachtmaster Preparation course is for those students taking the Certificate of Competence exams. This course refreshes and hones those skills and knowledge required to satisfy and external examiner that the required standards are met.
There are two levels, YM Coastal and YM Offshore depending on ability and experience. If mid term of the course either you or the instructor feels that the time is not right, you will not be put forward for the exam.
This intensive coaching session will help prepare you for the examination which gives you the most respected yachting qualification in the world.
You must arrive fully prepared in your sailing ability and with a full knowledge of navigational theory. Practice complex sailing skills with guidance from one of our senior instructors and gain confidence from working under pressure.
Our 5 day course means you will receive 4 days full exam preparation/practice time prior to commencement of your exam. Prepare a theoretical passage plan for presentation to your RYA examiner who will independently assess your theory and practical knowledge and skills.
Upon the completion of the course, the student is expected pass the exam.
Note: We offer a dedicated “Boat Handling” course in the week preceding this preparation and exam week.
- Pre-course certificates:
Radio Operators Certificate - GMDSS SRC or higher
Valid First Aid Certificate.
RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory Certificate. - Pre-course experience:
YM Coastal: 800 miles (min 50% tidal), 30 days, 12 night hours.
YM Offshore: 2500 miles (min 50% tidal), 5 passages over 60 miles (2 as skipper, 2 overnight), 50 days. - Assumed knowledge: Theory well understood, and able to explain / demonstrate any part of the YM syllabus.
- Duration: 5 days plus 2 days for the exam.
- Minimum age: 17. Under 18`s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Preparation for sea, deck work, navigation, pilotage, MOB, managing yacht and crew, postion fixing/finding, meteorology, rules of the road, maintenance and repair work, engines, victualling, emergency situations, yacht handling under power, yacht handling under sail, passage making, night cruising, adverse weather conditions, navigation in poor visibility, yacht handling, Sailing on/off bouys, berth and anchor.
Course books links: RYA Yachtmaster Practical Course Notes
The yacht you will be sailing is called “Lookfar”, a Bavaria 44, and is moored in Manoel Island Marina, pontoon D, near the Paparazzi restaurant. She will be ready for you from around 7 pm on the Sunday prior to the course commencing Monday morning. We would request that you are ready to leave the yacht by 10am the following Saturday morning, although the course finishes on Friday afternoon.
From our base in Manoel Island we will be sailing around the Maltese Archipelago including the picturesque sister Islands of Comino and Gozo.(weather permitting) There will also be plenty of time to go ashore in the evenings to relax and spend time visiting historical landmarks and having the opportunity of tasting local cuisine.
Accommodation for the first Sunday and last Friday night can be included by agreement. If you decide you would like to stay on for a few days after your sailing holiday, please do let us know and we would be happy to help you find accommodation.
- Sunglasses
- High factor sun cream (not oil please !)
- Deck shoes if possible, otherwise soft shoes with a non marking sole
- Shorts (Please be aware that these are liable to get dirty, so not your bestones!)
- T-Shirts
- Fleece or jumper for the evenings and windy days at sea
- Soft bag as opposed to a hard suitcase (we can store luggage if you are staying on)
- Light long sleeved shirt if you need to cover up in the sun
- Baseball/sun hat (preferably with a clip to stop it blowing overboard!)
- Sea sickness tablets should you need them
- Sailing Gloves (if available)
- Phone/ Ipod / lap top chargers – 12V (cigarette style chargers) if needed
- RYA Log book if you have one
- And above all, enthusiasm!
Minimum 3 students (taking turns to be skipper or crew)
On arrival at Malta airport, there is a kiosk at the exit from the airport where you can pre pay the taxi to the boat, or we can arrange for you to be collected by a local taxi firm. The cost of this is usually 25 Euro.The taxi drivers speak good English.
You will then have a short “live aboard” safety brief and then hopefully join us for a drink to celebrate your arrival and meet your crew mates!
