Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory – Program Description

  • Highly recommended for those wishing to extend their skills beyond the Day Skipper (Sail) level
  • Designed to prepare for Coastal Skipper Practical or, if already prepared, a Yachtmaster assessment
  • Course contents is appropriate for sail or power skippers
  • Advanced training for more experienced skippers building on the Day Skipper (Sail) Practical course and the Essential Navigation & Seamanship Theory course
  • Course will include all tidal elements not covered in the Essential Navigation & Seamanship Course which was designed for Med-level sailors
  • Equips you to navigate safely on coastal and offshore passages.
  • Course will take your theory knowledge to the standard required for the Yachtmaster™ Coastal and Yachtmaster™ Offshore practical exams
  • Concentrates on advanced navigation and meteorology skills
  • Taught in English over 40 hours with three exam papers
  • Ideal class size is 6-8 students
  • Each  student will receive a course pack which includes a chart, plotter, dividers, course handbook, exercises and an electronic chart plotter CD.
  • As with the Day Skipper shorebased course, the RYA’s specially designed chart plotter software will be used during the course to give a realistic taste of modern electronic navigation
  • Also available online

Course Topics

  • position fixing
  • course shaping and plotting
  • tidal knowledge
  • use of almanacs and admiralty publications
  • electronic position finding equipment
  • taking and interpreting forecasts
  • plotting weather systems
  • weather predictions using a barometer and by observation
  • collision regulations
  • customs and excise regulations for cruising abroad
  • allows some time for revision of the basics and then moves on to advanced navigation techniques