This shore-based course provides essential training for those preparing for the RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence.

It’s also a mandatory qualification under the MCA Large Yacht Code for masters and deck officers on superyachts (24m–3000 GT).

The course is also highly recommended for ALL recreational sailors and motorboat skippers planning coastal or offshore passages.

Course content

Marine charts & position

• Projections, depths, heights, datums, and symbols
• Latitude/longitude, position fixing, and position lines
• Compass, plotter, depth sounder, speed log, deck log
• Direction, compass variation, deviation, and error

Tides

• Tide terms, range, springs, and neaps
• Tidal heights, standard & secondary ports, high/low water curves

Navigation & tidal streams

• Tidal streams, set and drift, tidal stream atlas, rate computation
• Dead reckoning, course to steer, leeway, overfalls, and races

Buoyage & lights, and pilotage

• IALA buoyage (A and B)
• Light characteristics, ranges, sectored lights, rising and dipping distances
• Pilotage planning, transits, clearing lines, soundings
• Harbour regulations and signals

Meteorology

• Global weather patterns, air masses, fronts, and synoptic charts
• Local effects: fog, sea/land breeze, thunderstorms, katabatic winds
• Weather forecasting and barometer use

Safety at sea

• Personal safety (lifejackets, harnesses, lifelines), distress signals
• Radar for collision avoidance, stability, heavy weather, and restricted visibility

Passage planning

• Planning, victualling, pre-departure checklists, and route shaping
• GPS setup, communication schedules, and watch systems

IRPCS (Rules of the road)

• Collision regulations, steering and sailing rules, lights, and shapes

Course details

The course runs over six days, encompassing 40 hours of teaching and 7 hours of supervised exams.

You will receive the RYA Yachtmaster Shorebased certificate upon passing all three exams.

While intensive, the course provides valuable knowledge to enhance your safety and competence on the water.

Location & instruction

The course is held in our comfortable waterside classroom at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, led by a certified RYA Yachtmaster Shorebased instructor.

Enjoy nearby cafés, food, and coffee, with beaches within walking distance for breaks.

• Tuition, course publications, course pack, and certification.
• Plotter and dividers are provided for loan or can be purchased in our shop

Qualifications

• RYA/ MCA Yachtmaster Shorebased Theory Certificate

• You have completed RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship (online) or RYA Day Skipper Shore-based or have equivalent knowledge. 

• You are now ready to start RYA Coastal Skipper training or go on to a Yachtmaster Prep and Exam course.

• Booking information
  • To secure your place in the course, please pay a 20% holding deposit via the links provided above. This deposit will reserve your position until sixty days before the course start date, at which point the remaining balance of the course fees will be due.
  • Please be aware that the deposit is non-refundable; however, it can be transferred to any other course or event offered by Flying Fish.
  • We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment, as spaces are limited.
• Do I need to have completed the Day Skipper Theory course first?
  • It's strongly recommended that you have knowledge equivalent to the Day Skipper Theory course before starting Yachtmaster Theory. If you haven’t formally completed it, that's okay — as long as you're confident with basic navigation, tides, and chartwork, you'll be well placed to succeed.
• Do I need to be good at maths?
  • You don’t need to be a mathematician! The course uses straightforward, practical maths like calculating distances, speeds, and tides.
  • Your instructor will guide you through the methods step by step, and plenty of practice time is included.
• Is there any pre-course learning I need to do?
  • Yes. We’ll provide you with a comprehensive pre-course learning document on the IRPCS (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea). This content needs to be memorised somewhat ‘parrot fashion’ — especially the rules and lights/shapes.
  • Spending some time on this before the course begins will be very helpful and make your classroom learning smoother.
• What happens if I fail the Yachtmaster exams?
  • We do our best to make sure that you don't. However, if the worst comes to the worst, you'll leave with an action plan to complete. Typically, this involves revising any missing skills or knowledge and then retaking the exam.
  • Over 90% of our Yachtmaster candidates pass the first time.