Planning a voyage

RYA Yachtmaster Coastal / Yachtmaster Offshore

Classroom Theory Course
6-Days

This course is the next step to learning about navigation after Day Skipper theory.  Having learnt the basics - EP, CTS & tidal heights you'll learn how to use the same techniques to plan longer passages offshore by day & night.  You don't have to attend a Day Skipper practical course before moving on to Yachtmaster theory.

Scroll down the page for 2020 course dates

This Yachtmaster Coastal / Yachtmaster Offshore theory course is the recommended level of theory knowledge for the Coastal Skipper practical course, Coastal Skipper practical exam and the Yachtmaster Offshore practical exam.

The New Yachtmaster course

The RYA created a totally new course in 2017.  It's very different to the old Coastal/ Yachtmaster theory course.  There's no meteorology exam and much more emphasis on electronic navigation and passage planning.  To get maximum benefit from your course we think it's better to have more time between class dates.  Certainly for the final assessment you'll appreciate having plenty of time to research information and prepare your passage plan at home.  As well as the new aspects, the standard yachtmaster topics below are still included in the course.

  • More precise secondary port calculations to anchor safely anywhere
  • Passage planning for longer trips - a must for cruising safely in the North West
  • Full knowledge of the collision regulations
  • Three assessment papers; passage planning, chartwork & col. regs.

Coastal/Yachtmaster theory with Bay Sea School is a great opportunity to learn more about sailing & boating from the North West expert and award-winning instructor, John Parlane. Some things you just can't learn from books or an online course.  But you'll also have access to our special online facility, unique to Bay Sea School, for additional support at home. 

For those of you new to Bay Sea School, John is a top level Yachtmaster Instructor and Examiner.  You can read what clients say about him on tripadvisor.  That might explain why he's also a winner of the RYA 'Instructor of the Year' award! 

A new link road provides quick access directly from the M6.  Morecambe is about an hour's drive from Manchester at the weekend.

Private courses & 1:1 tuition can be arranged.  Contact us for more details.

The course cost includes the RYA course pack and certificate.  We also provide fresh filter coffee & instant, a selection of teas with biscuits at break times.  Please bring your own lunch, writing materials, course plotter, training almanac & dividers.

2020 6-day Course Dates Start Time Places Left
We hope to run a classroom theory course in the autumn subject to the COVID 19 situation. Please join our mailing list to be the first to hear about new course dates. There's a sign-up form on the home page. 9.30 am  

Click here for course joining instructions

What the RYA say about this course

"The Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster shorebased course is an advanced course in navigation and meteorology for candidates aiming to achieve the Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate.  The syllabus makes some provision for the revision of subjects covered in the Day Skipper course but those who have not acquired the knowledge set out in the Day Skipper course are unlikely to be able to assimilate all the subjects covered in this advanced course in the time available.

The assumed level of knowledge before starting this course is the RYA Day Skipper shorebased course.

Students are required to have a full knowledge of the 'International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea' before completion of the shorebased course for Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore.  There is, however, insufficient time available in the course to teach the subject fully.  The RYA book 'International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea' (G2) is a useful book for the study of the regulations."  See the link below to get your copy now!