Yachtmaster Packages >

Knowledge to RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster® Shorebased Level is assumed

- but the course certificate is not required.

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An RYA / MCA Yachtmaster® needs a wealth of knowledge, not only to cope with plain sailing or motor cruising, but also to be able to cope in more demanding situations.

Yachtmaster® is split into two grades -Yachtmaster® Coastal & Yachtmaster® Offshore.   There is no 'Yachtmaster Course' so-to-speak - you have to be at the required standard already through your own experience.    Once you think you have the necessary experience and knowledge, you can apply to book a 5 Day RYA Yachtmaster® Preparation Course + RYA / MCA Examination.

You will spend a Sunday to a Thursday afternoon, preparing for your RYA / MCA Yachtmaster® Examination, getting used to the yacht, crew (who are other RYA Trainees), and practicing your sailing and navigation techniques with an experienced ScotSail® Yachtmaster® Offshore Instructor.

The examiner is an independent RYA / MCA Examiner, booked and chosen by ScotSail® - if you wish you can speak to your Examiner beforehand - nobody is trying to trick you or trip you up and everything you might be asked is straightforward and open.

The exam will normally take place from about 1600hrs on a Thursday, thus giving you time to practice before, and so that the exam can start in the day-time, and then proceed into darkness.  There can be up to 4 candidates on an Exam at any time.

Before the exam starts, your Examiner will greet you, and will want to sit down to have a chat with you to determine your previous experience, and check that you have the pre-requisite certifications and logged experience - it is your responsibility to ensure that you have everything required, and we would advise that you check this info at www.rya.org.uk.

The Yachtmaster® Preparation courses are 5 Days & Nights / Full Board (Sun-Fri) with Check-In/ Arrival from 1800hrs on Sundays, at our LargsCentre.   Each night is spent on board in cabins, at a different island / location / marina, in the Firth of Clyde & Islands sailing area.   Sailing exercises take place during the day, and there is plenty of opportunity to visit local attractions and go ashore to visit islands and villages.   You will certainly experience longer passages, navigation exercises and night-sails.   There is an external examination, and only a RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Instructor may lead this preparation course.

See What To Bring, & Other Frequently Asked Questions >

What Is a Yachtmaster®? >

Yachtmaster® Coastal Requirements >

Yachtmaster® Offshore Requirements >

RYA / MCA Exam Fees >

Commercial Endorsements >

Where You Can Work With RYA Qualifications >

    ...the Yachtmaster® is a prestigious and internationally recognised qualification, and is the ultimate conclusion of the RYA Scheme. Many people wish to attain it because of the attractive potential employment prospects it enables... 

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Challenge Scale:

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One of the great advantages of a ScotSail® Yachtmaster® Prep Course is that you and your crew can choose where you want to go.

A typical course or experience will entail leaving our centre at Largs Yacht Haven and engaging in sailing activities and training during the day, whilst en route to a destination - that you will decide.   A Yachtmaster® needs to be able to get the boat and crew from A - B, and then to C - safely and probably through more challenging waters and passages than a Coastal Skipper would be expected to.

You and your crew will be completely involved in the decisions about where to travel to - and how to get there.   This is all part of the course, is vital learning and all part of the fun!   There are plenty of places to travel to - Isle of Arran, Kyles and Isle of Bute, Rothesay, Tartbert, Portavadie, Holy Loch, Rhu, Loch Long and Loch Riddon to name just a few - you can't explore it all in just one week!

Experience stunning mountains, castles, whales, dolphins, seals and birdlife - even sail past Royal Navy submarines and other interesting marine traffic too!

We operate Yachtmaster® on selected weeks and weekends, from February to October.

We require advance notice of a Yachtmaster® Prep + Exam so that we can ensure we have an Examiner available, and make other relevant arrangements.

Looking for 7 Days / Nights RYA Sailing Courses from a Friday to Wednesday Instead? >