This exam will include an assessment of your skipper skills, boat handling, general seamanship, navigation, safety awareness and knowledge of the IRPCS (collision regulations), meteorology and signals. Candidates will be set tasks to demonstrate their ability and may also be asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all practical and shore-based courses up to Yachtmaster level.

Yachtmaster Coastal Qualifying Mileage & Experience: 30 days, 2 as skipper, 800 miles, 12 night hours, If you hold the RYA Coastal Skipper certificate of competence this is reduced to 20 days, 2 as skipper, 400 miles and 12 night hours.

Yachtmaster Offshore Qualifying Mileage & Experience: 50 days, 2500 miles including at least 5 passages over 60 miles measured along the rhumb line from the port of departure to the destination, acting as skipper for at least two of these passages and including two which have involved overnight passages. Five days experience as skipper.

Qualifying Sea Time (applies for both): Half of all qualifying sea time must be on tidal waters and all qualifying seatime must be within 10 years of the exam.

Commerical Endoresment: Both certificates can be commercially endorsed. For more information please visit the RYA 

Exam Fees: An examination fee is payable direct to the RYA. For current exam fees, please click here. 

Meals onboard: The boat will be stocked to provide three meals per day as well as snacks and drinks. If you have any special dietary requirements please note them when booking.

The Yacht: 38ft Hanse 385. Commercially coded by RYA/MCA as category 2 compliant the yacht can carry 6 people including the Skipper. Facilities onboard include; heating, hot water, cooker, fridge, toilet, Radar, GPS and AIS.

Please bring with you; warm clothes, a sleeping bag and sailing wellies (not black soled)

Arrival and Departure: All our weekend cruising courses begin at 7.00pm on the Friday evening. Please arrive in time to meet your examiner in Reception at 7pm, where you will be given a short briefing, before driving down to the yacht, moored at Port Dinorwic, 5 minutes away from the Centre.