Preparation course overview
The RYA Yachtmaster Coastal / Yachtmaster Offshore Preparation course enables those who hold the required prerequisite experience to sit the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam to fine tune their existing skills prior to sitting the practical exam.
Take the next decisive step in your sailing journey with an intensive mile-building experience designed for those preparing for their Yachtmaster exam, or simply needing to gain those all-important final miles.
Step aboard our recently renovated 65-foot high-performance ocean racing yacht and immerse yourself in real offshore sailing.
This is not just training, it’s a true passage-making adventure.
• Build up to 1,000 nautical miles
• Ideal for Yachtmaster candidates or sailors needing their final qualifying miles
• Accommodation onboard, with all food included
• A Channel crossing
• Experience a 24-hour non-stop sailing phase under a professional watch system
• Spend up to 7 days at sea
This hands-on offshore passage offers a powerful and authentic sailing experience.
You’ll develop real confidence at sea while sharpening your seamanship, navigation, and decision-making skills, on a scale few training environments can match.
About the Course
The preparation course is run over 5 days and designed to assess your level of competency against the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam syllabus found in the RYA Yachtmaster Scheme Syllabus and Logbook (G158/15) and is intended to fine tune your existing skills and polish any areas of weakness prior to the exam. The subsequent exam is then run over two days, following the preparation course.
Prior the prep course, we advise that you read the exam syllabus and give yourself an honest appraisal of your strengths and weaknesses. Try to address any shortfalls beforehand and then during the preparation course be open with your instructor about your abilities and what you need to work on in the run up to your exam.
During the prep course your instructor will frequently update you on your progress and ability and recommend which exam you should aim for – whether Coastal or Offshore.
The syllabus is taught in a ratio of (4:1) students to instructor.
Please follow the link if you are looking for the RYA yachtmaster offshore professional course
Candidates must be aged 17 or over and require;
For holders of the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course completion certificate, the seatime requirement is reduced to 400 miles, 2 days living on board, 12 night hours, two days as skipper.
Half of the qualifying seatime must have been gained in tidal waters. For sizes of vessel please refer to page 73 in the RYA Yachtmaster Scheme Syllabus and Logbook (G158/15).
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Exam (Sail)
Candidates must be aged 18 or over and require;
At least half of the qualifying seatime must have been accrued in tidal waters. For sizes of vessel please refer to page 73 in the RYA Yachtmaster Scheme Syllabus and Logbook (G158/15).
Full details and definitions on qualifying passages can be found here.
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Exam (Sail)
The exam will include an assessment of your skippering skills, boat handling, general seamanship, navigation, safety awareness and knowledge of the IRPCS (collision regulations), meteorology and signals. You will be set tasks to demonstrate your ability and may also be asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all practical and shorebased courses up to Yachtmaster Coastal level.
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Exam (Sail)
The exam will include an assessment of your skippering skills, boat handling, general seamanship, navigation, safety awareness and knowledge of the IRPCS, meteorology and signals, with particular emphasis on command skills, boat handling under sail and power in confined spaces, plus navigation and pilotage techniques in daylight, at night and in reduced visibility. Adverse weather conditions and coping with emergencies are also covered.
The examiner will set tasks to enable you to demonstrate your ability as skipper and may also ask questions on any part of the syllabus for all practical and shorebased courses up to RYA Yachtmaster Offshore.
Exam Duration
The exam will take around 8-12 hours per candidate candidate. No more than two candidates can be examined in 24 hours. Whilst one candidate is being examined the remaining candidates will act as crew.
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Exam (Sail)
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certification of Competence.
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Exam (Sail)
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence.
| Start date → End date | Course only price | Residential price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Sep 2026 → 20 Sep 2026Sold out | N/A | £1000 | Add to Basket Book now |
| 23 Nov 2026 → 29 Nov 2026Final places | N/A | £1000 | Add to Basket Book now |
| 16 Dec 2026 → 22 Dec 2026Sold out | N/A | £970 | Add to Basket Book now |
| 27 Feb 2027 → 02 Mar 2027Sold out | N/A | £1000 | Add to Basket Book now |
| 07 Mar 2027 → 13 Mar 2027Sold out | N/A | £1000 | Add to Basket Book now |
| 19 Apr 2027 → 25 Apr 2027Sold out | N/A | £1000 | Add to Basket Book now |
| 31 May 2027 → 06 Jun 2027Sold out | N/A | £1000 | Add to Basket Book now |
| 12 Jul 2027 → 18 Jul 2027Sold out | N/A | £1000 | Add to Basket Book now |
| 23 Aug 2027 → 29 Aug 2027Sold out | N/A | £1000 | Add to Basket Book now |
| 15 Nov 2027 → 21 Nov 2027Sold out | N/A | £1000 | Add to Basket Book now |
| 15 Dec 2027 → 21 Dec 2027Sold out | N/A | £1000 | Add to Basket Book now |
Why Train with UKSA
UKSA has been successfully training and launching careers for over 35 years. As an industry leader, we pride ourselves on the winning combination of high standards and top-level industry experience delivered to our students.
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