Yachtmaster Power Theory and Practical
Overview
Our RYA Yachtmaster Power Theory and practical is an all-inclusive course combining the Yachtmaster Theory and the practical prep week. This course is ideal for anyone looking to work as a commercial skipper on a motorboat.
What is a Yachtmaster certificate of competence?
The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Power certificate of competence allows the holder to skipper of a Motor Yacht, up to 24 meters in length, 150 miles from a safe haven. Add STCW Basic Safety Training and you have a qualification to skipper Motor boats up to 200GT, which may be more than 24 meters in length.
What experience do I need to join the course?
- A minimum of 2,500 miles are logged before you sit the Yachtmaster offshore exam. At least half the sea time must be in tidal waters.
- If you have been working on a Superyacht/a vessel over 24m in length, then at least 1,250 sea miles must have been completed on a vessel less than 24m in length.
- 5 passages of over 60 miles, acting as skipper for at least two of these passages completed on a vessel between 7 and 24m in length.
- 2 of 5 passages above would have involved overnight passages
- A GMDSS short-range VHF radio certificate
- A valid First Aid Certificate.
- Please note if you hold an STCW Elementary First Aid, then it must have been issued in the last five years.
- For RYA First Aid, it’s three years.
- All qualifying experience must be within 10 years before the exam.
- You must be 18 years of age or older.
Click here if you need to refresh your STCW Elementary First Aid or complete a GMDSS short-range VHF course.
For more details on the experience required for the Yachtmaster Offshore exam and commercial endorsement, please click on the link below. If you have any questions, then feel free to contact us
Requirements for the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam
Offshore or Coastal
There are two routes through to the RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence, Offshore and Coastal. Yachtmaster Offshore is the most popular route for Superyacht crew who looking to progress to lead deckhand or Bosun are usually required to hold Yachtmaster Offshore. The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore is a prerequisite for the Efficient Deckhand course and a requirement for Officer of the Watch. Not all candidates have the sea time or command experience for the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. Furthermore, some skippers have no intention of going offshore and want to stick to coastal waters.
Before you start
By joining our Yachtmaster Theory and Practical course, you will benefit from our online pre-assessments, revision topics, and quizzes that we send you. We find that the more pre-course study customers complete, the more likely there is to be a successful outcome on exam day.
Where to stay
If you choose our self-catering accommodation option below, then you will stay in one of our crew houses in Cowes, which are comfortable and centrally located. You will have your own room and space to complete homework and chat through the day with others on the course. Our accommodation is a 5-minute walk from the town and our training centre.
Inclusions
- RYA Yachtmaster theory packs, almanacs, and certification
- All training, fuel, and berthing fees included
- 100 miles logged
£231 Yachtmaster Offshore/Coastal exam fee is not included.
Dates & pricing
| Starts | Ends | Location(s) | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/04/2023 | 23/04/2023 | Cowes, Isle of Wight | Waitlisted, Please Call (+44) 01983 280 641 | |
| 08/05/2023 | 21/05/2023 | Cowes, Isle of Wight | Waitlisted, Please Call (+44) 01983 280 641 | |
| 05/06/2023 | 18/06/2023 | Cowes, Isle of Wight | 1 space available | |
|
Optional addons:
£170VHF Online Course including examination |
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| 03/07/2023 | 16/07/2023 | Cowes, Isle of Wight | 2 spaces available | |
|
Optional addons:
£170VHF Online Course including examination |
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| 21/08/2023 | 03/09/2023 | Cowes, Isle of Wight | 3 spaces available | |
|
Optional addons:
£170VHF Online Course including examination |
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| 04/09/2023 | 17/09/2023 | Cowes, Isle of Wight | 2 spaces available | |
|
Optional addons:
£170VHF Online Course including examination |
||||
| 18/09/2023 | 01/10/2023 | Cowes, Isle of Wight | 3 spaces available | |
|
Optional addons:
£170VHF Online Course including examination |
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| 23/10/2023 | 05/11/2023 | Cowes, Isle of Wight | 4 spaces available | |
|
Optional addons:
£170VHF Online Course including examination |
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| 06/11/2023 | 19/11/2023 | Cowes, Isle of Wight | 4 spaces available | |
|
Optional addons:
£170VHF Online Course including examination |
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| 20/11/2023 | 03/12/2023 | Cowes, Isle of Wight | 4 spaces available | |
|
Optional addons:
£170VHF Online Course including examination |
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| 04/12/2023 | 17/12/2023 | Cowes, Isle of Wight | 4 spaces available | |
|
Optional addons:
£170VHF Online Course including examination |
||||
Pre-requisite experience and qualifications
To sit the Yachtmaster Offshore Power exam, you are required to hold:
- 50 days and 2,500 sea miles
- 5 passages of over 60 miles, acting as skipper for at least two of these passages
- 2 of 5 passages above would have involved overnight passages
- At least 5 days acting as skipper
- All qualifying sea time must be within 10 years prior to the exam
- Logbook/evidence of sea time and passages required
- A GMDSS short-range VHF radio certificate
- Valid First Aid Certificate (issued within last 5 years if STCW or last 3 years if RYA)
- You must be 18 years of age or older
Please be aware that at least 50% of your qualifying mileage (1,250 miles) must have been completed in a vessel less than 24 meters.
Full itinerary
Monday – Friday
Arrive for a course briefing at 10:00 am. After the course briefing, you will start the RYA Yachtmaster Theory Course.
Tuesday to Friday, you will cover all aspects of navigation, meteorology, passage planning, pilotage, IRPCS, secondary ports, and tidal navigation exercises.
Saturday
You will sit two exams during the day, chart work, and IRPCS. You will be awarded the RYA Yachtmaster Theory certificate on successful completion.
Sunday
Day off.
Monday
- 10:00 am join the boat in Cowes
- Introduction to the boat, and safety producers onboard
- Engineering, engines, control systems and what to look out for
- Boat handling
- Marina berthing
- MOB and recovery at sea
Tuesday
- Engine checks/safety brief
- Navigational exercises in the Solent
- Anchoring
- Picking up mooring buoys
- MOB and recovery
- Marina berthing
- Night-time navigational exercises
Wednesday
- Engine checks/safety brief
- Marina berthing/confined space boat handling
- Single engine berthing
- Picking up mooring buoys
- Navigational exercises day-time
- Collision regs/quiz/use of radar
- Night-time navigational exercises
Thursday
- Engine checks/safety brief
- Navigational exercises in the Solent
- Picking up mooring buoys
- Marina berthing/confined space exercises
- Single engine berthing
Friday
- Engine checks/safety brief
- Navigational exercises in the Solent
- Boat handling exercises/single engine berthing
- MOB and recovery
- Revision of the Yachtmaster syllabus
Saturday/Sunday
The Yachtmaster exam.
The examiner will join the boat, and your instructor will step off. The Yachtmaster Power exam will last between 12 and 48 hours depending on the number of candidates being examined, a maximum of 4 in any 2-day session. The exam will take place within the Solent. The examiner will ask each candidate to perform a series of practical and navigational exercises based on the weather and tidal conditions of the day.
Please note: due to weather constraints the Yachtmaster exam may start on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning.
Related courses
Have you completed your VHF course?
STCW Elementary First Aid Certificates may need to be refreshed if more than 5 years old