Yachtmaster Theory Online — Advanced Navigation

Overview

An advanced, exam-focused navigation and seamanship course for experienced skippers preparing for RYA Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore (sail or motor). The programme builds the depth, speed and accuracy of thinking needed for confident decision-making on real passages, by day and night, in tidal and non-tidal waters.

Is this course for you?

This is not a beginner course. You should already be comfortable with chartwork, tidal calculations, pilotage, IRPCS (Collision Regs) and basic passage planning at RYA Day Skipper level (or, in the Spanish system, Patrón de Yate theory level). If you’re not there yet, please complete Day Skipper Theory Online first.

Time commitment & difficulty

• Study time: ~40–50 hours for the course material
• Exams: plan at least two half-days in addition for the final theory papers This is a challenging course with multi-step problems and timed, exam-style tasks.

Language requirement

• Course language: English
• Minimum level: B2 (upper-intermediate) to follow explanations, handle technical vocabulary and interpret exam wording accurately.

What you’ll learn (syllabus highlights)

• Advanced position fixing, DR/EP, running fixes
• Tidal heights and streams, secondary port calculations, tidal curves
• Pilotage and navigation by day and night; blind pilotage techniques
• Passage planning: weather, tides, fuel, crew, contingencies and decision points
• Meteorology for yachts: synoptic interpretation, local effects, forecast use
• IRPCS (Collision Regulations) applied to real-world scenarios
• Electronic navigation: GPS/GNSS, AIS and radar fundamentals
• Safety management and the skipper’s legal/responsibility framework

Course format

Self-paced online study with structured modules, worked examples, practice questions and mock papers. You can progress at your own rhythm, revisiting topics as needed.

Assessment & certification

You’ll complete final theory exam papers (e.g., Chartwork & Tides, IRPCS, Passage Planning/Meteorology and related topics). On successful completion you receive the RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory certificate.

Important for Yachtmaster Prep candidates

If you plan to join a Yachtmaster Prep Week (sail or motor), complete this theory course and the exams before you arrive. Prep weeks are for honing practical skills and examiner-style drills; there is very limited time for theory revision and no time to teach theory you don’t already know.

What’s included

• RYA training charts and reference tables (as listed in your joining email)
• Plotter, dividers and standard stationery for chartwork and exams

What you need

• A computer or tablet with reliable internet access
• Quiet, protected study time each week until the course and exams are completed

Support

Instructor support is available while you study—use it to check your working, unblock tricky questions and stay on track.

Ready to enrol?

If you meet the entry level and can commit the time above, this course will give you the theory standard the Yachtmaster exam expects—and the confidence to skipper safely and decisively.

Extra help? One-to-one classes

If you require additional help , for example with the chartwork exercises, you can contract one-to-one classes in Madrid, Valencia or Denia. Please contact us for details.

Click on the file to see how this course fits into the RYA Shorebased scheme. View Shorebased.pdf