Yachtmaster Offshore Fast-Track Course
Designed for complete novices, Sail Squads’ 18-week fast-track program takes students from zero sailing experience to holding the prestigious Yachtmaster Offshore (YMO) qualification – a globally recognised professional credential.
What Is the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Fast-Track Course?
Embarking on the journey of becoming a qualified Yachtmaster Offshore is a significant milestone for aspiring sailors and professional skippers.
Traditionally, the process of gaining the Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence involves several years of sailing, milebuilding, and training. However, our fast-track course offers a unique and efficient alternative for committed individuals who have little to no sailing experience.
Sail Squad’s Fast-Track Yachtmaster Offshore Course is a condensed program designed to equip you with the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel as a professional skipper. This intensive zero-to-hero program, led by our expert chief instructor and cruising instructor trainer Mart, offers comprehensive training in a structured learning environment, covering every aspect of yacht handling, navigation, and seamanship.
Throughout the 18 weeks, you will gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary to not only pass the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore examination but also to excel as a professional skipper.
Sail Squad’s Yachtmaster Fast-Track Course Structure
Module 1: From Beginner to Day Skipper (Weeks 1-6 + 1 Week Break)
- Objective: Establish a solid foundation of sailing knowledge and skills, and become comfortable on yachts.
- Content: Basic navigation, seamanship, safety procedures, boat handling, and communication.
- Experience: Learn from a diverse range of instructors and crews, gaining various experiences and techniques.
- Outcome: Achieve the RYA Day Skipper Theory and Practical Certificates, enabling you to confidently skipper a yacht in daylight in coastal waters.
Module 2: Coastal Skipper and Beyond (Weeks 7-12 + 1 Week Break)
- Objective: Broaden your experience and take on more challenging sailing conditions.
- Content: Increased mileage, navigation in more complex environments, passage planning, boat handling under power and sail, and crew management.
- Experience: Continue with practical sessions and mile-building crossings on our larger yacht to enhance your confidence and competence.
- Outcome: Acquire the Yachtmaster/Coastal Skipper Theory and Coastal Skipper Practical qualifications, allowing you to undertake passages by day or night.
Module 3: Yachtmaster Offshore Preparation (Weeks 13-16 + Yachtmaster Exam)
- Objective: Refine your navigation and seamanship skills and prepare for the Yachtmaster Offshore exam.
- Content: Advanced navigation, passage planning, weather analysis, skippering skills, and exam techniques.
- Experience: Participate in intensive drills, short courses, and real-world skippering scenarios to ensure your readiness.
- Outcome: Sit the Yachtmaster Offshore exam, earning your prestigious Yachtmaster certificate.
As a small sailing school, Sail Squad offers flexibility with the Yachtmaster Fast-Track course. You can pick your start date, allowing you to choose the best time to take on this intensive and rewarding course. There is also an option to skip the first module if you have already done your day skipper and have some logged miles.
Is Sail Squad’s Yachtmaster Zero to Hero Course Right for You?
This course is perfect for complete beginners, highly motivated learners, potential recreational sailors and those seeking a career in the marine industry. Sail Squad’s Yachtmaster Fast-Track Course is designed for those who are eager to learn and dedicated to putting in the effort required to succeed. This course provides a comprehensive package of qualifications and experience to prepare you for your sailing career.
One of the key advantages of our fast-track course is the opportunity to gain practical experience in a short period. Sail Squad’s fast-track course includes extensive sailing hours, allowing you to apply the theoretical knowledge you’ve gained in a real-world setting. Before committing to the course, we recommend spending at least 5 days on a sailing yacht to ensure this is the right path for you. Our Get Sailing Milebuilders could be the perfect fit for gaining a taste of the yachting experience.
If you’re planning to get your Yachtmaster Offshore qualification commercially endorsed, we advise obtaining a medical certificate (either an ML5 or ENG1) in advance. This will ensure that you’re eligible for the certification you need to enter a sailing career. Have a chat with us about which certificate we recommend.
Yachtmaster Offshore Fast-Track Course – £13,995 (All Inclusive)
Our commitment extends beyond simply achieving a pass in a time-efficient manner. We are committed to shaping you into a self-assured and capable professional, ready to command a yacht with skill and assurance.
The course fee includes:
- Comprehensive Theory Tuition: By the end of the 18-week program, you will have completed the RYA Day Skipper Theory, RYA Yachtmaster Theory, RYA Radar, and RYA VHF courses. All of these courses and associated fees are included in the price.
- Extensive Practical Sailing Experience: You will accumulate 2,500 nautical miles and hands-on experience in a variety of conditions, building your confidence and competence on the water.
- All Meals Onboard: We provide a budget per person to allow you to cater for yourself and have full choice and variety.
- Wet Weather and Safety Gear: We provide jackets and salopettes in various sizes, along with life jackets and harnesses.
- Accommodation Onboard: You will experience life on all three of our yachts, staying in different cabins and learning with various crews.
Considering a yacht’s average cruising speed of 6 knots, completing the required 2,500 miles will take considerable time. The 18-week timeframe allows for comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the course, including mileage and theory. We also understand that this course demands a considerable time commitment; therefore, we provide flexibility with two weeks of downtime to pause and reflect on your progress thus far.
Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Sailing Journey?
Discover how this program could be the perfect fit for you. Contact Sail Squad to learn more about our RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Fast-Track Course and book today!
Why Choose Sail Squad for Your Yachtmaster Offshore Fast-Track Course?
Flexibility
Choose your own start date, or join from module 2 if you already have sailing experience. We're happy to chat through your current level and help find the right entry point.
Expert Instruction
Led by Chief Instructor Mart (CIT), our experienced team provides high-quality, full-time training with a focus on support, encouragement, and personal development.
Effective Learning
Our fast-track format gets you to Yachtmaster Offshore in just 18 weeks – faster than taking each course and mile builder separately.
One-on-One Guidance
This is not a group intake. You’ll enrol as an individual, ensuring personal attention and a tailored learning experience from day one.
Opportunities to Lead
Modules 1 and 2 are instructor-supported, but as your skills grow, you’ll be encouraged to take charge of passages with increasing independence.
Comprehensive Curriculum
The course builds from beginner to Yachtmaster level, with structured milestones and mock assessments to help you perform under pressure.
All-Inclusive Price
The full 18-week course costs £13,995. The only extra is the RYA exam fee (£256), which is paid directly to the RYA.
High-Quality Yachts
You’ll train on a 37ft yacht for drills and skills, and sail a 50ft yacht for longer passages. View the fleet and onboard setup here.
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.
The RYA (Royal Yachting Association) is the national governing body for sailing and watersports in the UK. Renowned for its high standards of training and certification, the RYA’s qualifications, such as the Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence, are highly respected worldwide.
This professional qualification authorises the holder to skipper a yacht up to 150 nautical miles (nm) offshore. It is the ultimate goal for most recreational sailors and serves as a gateway to marine employment. Additionally, it is a prerequisite for becoming an RYA Cruising or RYA Yachtmaster sailing instructor.
The final exam is conducted by an independent RYA Examiner and assesses your ability to safely and effectively skipper a yacht. It typically includes blind navigation exercises, passage planning scenarios, boat handling under power and sail, man overboard drills, safety procedure knowledge, and an overall demonstration of your competence in various conditions, including night sailing.
The ML5 is a medical certificate valid for five years, while the ENG1 is valid for only two years. The ENG1 is required for almost all crew members looking to work on a superyacht, whereas the ML5 is sufficient for those working on small vessels that operate no more than 60 miles from shore.
Sail Squad provides essential equipment for the training yacht, including charts, pilot books, safety harnesses, wet weather gear, and life jackets. However, you will need to bring your own sailing boots or deck shoes, warm layers (such as fleeces and thermals), sailing gloves, hats, and a sleeping bag. A complete kit list will be included in your joining instructions.