The Yachtmaster exam is conducted by an independent assessor appointed by the Royal Yachting Association. The duration of the exam is about 8 to 12 hours for one candidate and 10 to 18 for two. The examiner will request that the candidate carries out a series of tasks in an efficient and seamanlike manner. There will then be a debriefing on how the candidate has performed and a recommendation to the RYA exam board.

The examiner can set tasks and ask questions on any part of the syllabus for all courses except Yachtmaster Ocean. They may well ask the candidate to demonstrate ability in dealing with adverse weather and emergency situations such as fog, towing, stranding or man overboard.

In all situations the examiner will expect the candidate to take full responsibility for the management of yacht and crew.

The Yachtmaster exam is the pinnacle to which many sailors aspire as the standard is strictly maintained and the qualification recognised world wide.

The qualification can be achieved from many different backgrounds. There is the part time sailor who has worked their way through all the courses gaining the qualifications on the way and had lots of practise with friends or on charter yachts to gain the necessary experience. To the adult who went to sea first as a child, learning by role play and experimentation until the local sea area is as familiar as their own back yard. Both sailors will approach the exam from their different backgrounds and will deal with the tasks presented in their own efficient way.

The pre exam requirements are a minimum of 50 days at sea, 5 days as skipper, 2,500 miles including at least 5 passages over 60 miles measured along the rhumb line from port of departure to the destination, acting as skipper for at least two of these passages and including two which have involved overnight passages. A marine radio operators qualification and a valid First Aid at Sea certificate.

It is to be recommended that the candidate has a few days preparation prior to the exam to become familiar with the type of questions and tasks that could be asked. It is also a good idea to spend a few days afloat to clear the mind of the humdrum of life ashore and focus on the exam as this can be a confidence builder.

During a preparation period afloat prior to the exam we would concentrate on the technical side of sailing including close quarters manoeuvring under sail and power. It is requested that the candidate is familiar with chartwork, tides and navigation as well as having a good working knowledge on all parts of the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea.

The amount of time needed to prepare for the Yachtmaster exam varies with the amount of previous sailing experience of each candidate. However a 5 day course is suggested with the exam on the sixth day.

It is possible for the candidate to prepare for and take the exam on their own yacht providing the yacht is over 24 feet in length and is suitable equipped with all necessary safety equipment for offshore passages.

Alternately the candidate can join a course run on our Sigma 38 to prepare for the exam and we will arrange an examiner to attend at the end of the course.