Yachtmaster Coastal Prep Course
Prepare for your RYA Yachtmaster Coastal exam with Sail Squad’s intensive 5-day preparation course in the UK’s challenging Solent waters. World-class coaching, personalised support, and all-inclusive onboard training to ensure you pass with confidence. Book your place today!
At Sail Squad, we offer an intensive 5-day RYA Yachtmaster Coastal preparation course designed to sharpen your skippering skills, polish your exam technique, and equip you with the confidence needed to excel in front of a RYA examiner.
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Course Overview
The RYA Yachtmaster Certificates of Competence are internationally recognised qualifications highly valued by professional and recreational sailors alike.
Unlike other RYA qualifications, such as Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper, Yachtmaster Certificates of Competence are not awarded upon completion of a formal training course. Instead, they are achieved by passing an exam that tests your skills, knowledge, and experience.
Achieving the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal qualification is a major accomplishment and requires thorough preparation. We make the most of the time available on the water, followed by focused theoretical revision sessions in the evenings.
What You’ll Cover During the Preparation Week
The intensive 5-day course focuses on hands-on learning and rapid theoretical revision. It will cover:
Passage Planning
Developing robust plans for coastal passages.
Digital First Techniques
Effectively using modern electronic navigation tools alongside traditional methods.
Emergency Drills
Perfecting Man Overboard (MOB) recovery techniques under sail and power.
Mooring & Anchoring
Executing confident approaches and departures from mooring buoys and anchoring spots under both sail and power.
Close Quarters Handling
Mastering control of the yacht and executing power turns in marinas and confined spaces under sail and power.
Applied Meteorology
Understanding weather forecasts and making critical decisions based on conditions.
Berthing Practice
Perfecting manoeuvring in multiple berthing scenarios.
Advanced Skippering Techniques
Enhancing leadership, decision-making, and crew management skills.
Restricted Visibility
Navigation in challenging conditions using radar and other aids.
Pilotage
Executing detailed pilotage plans for entering and exiting harbours.
International Collision Regulations (COLREGs)
Demonstrating thorough knowledge and application of the rules.
What Level Should You Be Before Attending the Yachtmaster Coastal Course and Exam?
A suitable candidate for the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal exam should demonstrate a strong command of the yacht and navigational abilities, though they may have less extensive experience or theoretical knowledge compared to an Offshore candidate.
- Candidates should already have:
- Strong skippering and navigation skills
- Solid theoretical knowledge of seamanship, weather, and COLREGs
- Confidence performing essential manoeuvres such as MOB drills, anchoring, and mooring
If you feel your skills need sharpening before the prep week, consider our skills & drills weeks or milebuilding weekends to get comfortable with key manoeuvres. It’s important to arrive at your Yachtmaster course feeling fully prepared.
RYA Minimum Entry Requirements for the Exam
Candidates must meet the following minimum logged experience before attending the exam.
- Seatime (in the last 10 years & on vessels less than 24m):
- 30 days aboard a sailing vessel
- 2 days acting as skipper
- 800 miles logged
- 12 hours logged at night
- Reduced Seatime (if holding a valid RYA Coastal Skipper course completion certificate):
- 20 days aboard a sailing vessel
- 2 days acting as skipper
- 400 miles logged
- 12 hours logged at night
- Tidal Waters: At least half of your qualifying seatime must be conducted in tidal waters.
- Minimum Age: 17 years old.
- Certificates (must be held before the exam):
- GMDSS Short Range Certificate (SRC) or higher
- Valid First Aid Certificate
Providing Proof for the Examiner
You will typically need to provide a logbook detailing your seatime, copies of your required certificates (SRC, First Aid, Coastal Skipper if applicable), and proof of age to the RYA examiner.
Yachtmaster Coastal Course Price – Just £999 (All Inclusive)
The course fee includes:
- Accommodation onboard a modern Sail Squad yacht (Monday to Sunday)
- All meals, hot drinks, and snacks
- Mooring fees during the course
- Expert tuition and personalised coaching from our RYA Yachtmaster instructors
Please note that the RYA exam fee of £256 is payable separately to the RYA and is not included in the course fee.
The RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Exam
Following your preparation week with Sail Squad, if both you and your instructor agree that you are ready, you will stay aboard the yacht for your RYA Yachtmaster Coastal exam. The exam is conducted by an independent RYA Examiner over 8-12 hours. The examiner will thoroughly assess your skills in skippering, boat handling, navigation, seamanship, and theoretical knowledge through both practical and oral formats.
Booking Information
Embarking on your Yachtmaster Coastal journey is a significant commitment. We highly recommend discussing your experience and suitability before making a booking.
Whether you’re aiming to sail professionally or simply challenge yourself, the RYA Yachtmaster qualification marks a major achievement in your sailing journey. To discuss your experience and explore your options, please give us a call. We are happy to offer guidance and help you assess if you are ready for the prep week and exam.
Why Choose Sail Squad for Your Yachtmaster Coastal Preparation?
Small Group Sizes
We limit each course to a maximum of four candidates, ensuring you get focused, one-to-one coaching throughout the week.
Experienced Instructors
Our RYA Yachtmaster instructors are handpicked by our chief instructor for their teaching quality and dedication to your development.
Personal Coaching
Your instructor will assess your skills early in the week and tailor the training to help you reach your full potential.
Realistic Conditions
Training takes place in the Solent, one of the UK’s most respected sailing areas, offering varied and challenging conditions.
Self-Awareness & Growth
We encourage open discussion and self-evaluation so you can develop into a more confident, self-aware skipper.
Focused on the Exam
Our aim is for you to reach the exam ready to perform at your best. Calm, capable, and confident under pressure.
FAQs
We’ve covered the most common questions to help you get started. If there’s anything else you need, just drop us a message. We’re always happy to chat.
Yes, you can. A few days into the preparation week, your instructor will assess your skills and knowledge. Based on this assessment, they will discuss with you whether the Coastal or Offshore exam is reachable for you at this time, assuming you meet the minimum seatime requirements for YM Offshore. You can then decide which exam to aim for, or if you need more experience before attempting either.
Your instructor will provide an honest assessment early in the course. If they believe you are not quite ready, they will explain their reasoning and suggest specific areas for you to focus on. You can still complete the preparation week to consolidate your skills and return later to take the exam once you have gained further experience or practised the necessary areas. There is no requirement to take the exam immediately following the preparation week.
The exam typically lasts between 8 and 12 hours per candidate group and is conducted by an independent RYA Examiner. If four candidates are taking the exam, it could take up to 48 hours to complete.
Yes, both the Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore qualifications can be commercially endorsed. To obtain a commercial endorsement, you will need to complete a Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR) course, RYA Sea Survival training, and undergo an ML5 or ENG1 medical examination.