The RYA Yachtmaster certificate is a common goal for many aspiring skippers. It is a globally renowned and highly respected qualification that serves as proof of a significant level of experience and skill.
This course is designed for skippers who already have experience operating a sea-going sailing yacht and would like to validate their skills by earning the prestigious RYA certificate. Candidates for the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal exam are expected to be able to handle a yacht under both sail and power in a wide range of conditions. The theoretical knowledge required is the same as for the Yachtmaster Offshore, but the practical experience needed is less extensive. During the course, the instructor will focus on refining specific skills such as harbor maneuvers, crew management, practical navigation and pilotage, and knowledge of the IRPCS (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea).
This course prepares you for an exam that will assess your skippering ability, boat-handling skills, navigation, safety awareness, and knowledge of IRPCS, meteorology, and emergency procedures. You’ll be tasked with demonstrating your capabilities and answering questions relevant to the level of certification. The likelihood of passing increases significantly with thorough preparation—for example, through our structured training programs.
Courses are taught in English by Slovak or Czech instructors. The exam is also conducted in English.
The practical course fee includes: accommodation on a fully RYA-certified sailing yacht, including all fees, mooring in the home marina, instruction from an RYA-certified instructor, course materials, and certification fees.
The course fee does not include: the exam fee (£201 per person), harbor fees outside the home marina, fuel consumed during the week, and food costs (shared equally among participants), as well as personal and travel insurance and transportation to the course location.
Candidates for the exam also equally share the examiner’s travel expenses, which typically do not exceed approximately €70 per person.
Before the course, we can connect all registered participants to coordinate shared transportation and other arrangements.
The exam fee is paid separately: RYA Yachtmaster Offshore 266 GBP, RYA Yachtmaster Coastal 230 GBP. You also share the examiner's travel costs, usually up to 70 € per person. The preparation course price is shown with each date.
You can retake the exam later. We will recommend a cruise or course to polish what was missing, and in that case we try to meet you on price too.
A radio operator licence – with us the RYA Short Range Certificate, online – and a valid first aid certificate. Without them you cannot sit the exam.
We recommend 30 days at sea, including 2 as skipper, 800 nautical miles and 12 night hours. Practical skills at least at RYA Coastal Skipper level and theory at RYA Yachtmaster Theory level.