This course
Own cabin: £990 per person total, subject to availability. Email admin@bhmarine.co.uk or call 01305 564204 to confirm an own cabin before booking or paying. Standard online booking is at the shared-cabin price.
Group size: maximum 3 learners.
Course hours: 09:00–17:00 each day.
UPCOMING PRACTICAL COURSE DATES
• 30 November 2026 – 4 December 2026
• 25–29 January 2027
• 1–5 March 2027
• 5–9 April 2027
• 3–7 May 2027
• 31 May 2027 – 4 June 2027
Choose a date in our online booking calendar. Availability and remaining places are shown there.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Preparation Course (Sail) is an intensive five-day liveaboard programme designed to prepare experienced sailors for the prestigious RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence examination. This course refines the advanced sailing, navigation and skippering skills expected of a Yachtmaster, ensuring candidates are fully prepared for one of the most respected practical examinations in the boating industry.
Delivered by experienced RYA Yachtmaster Instructors and professional yacht captains, the course combines realistic offshore passages, mock examination scenarios and intensive one-to-one coaching. With a maximum of three learners per instructor, every candidate receives individual guidance throughout the preparation week.
Course topics include:
Advanced skippering techniques
Yacht handling under sail
Close-quarters manoeuvring under power
Marina handling and berthing
Advanced sail trim and sail management
Passage planning and execution
Coastal and offshore navigation
Pilotage by day and night
Blind navigation and restricted visibility
Tidal planning and secondary port calculations
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS)
Man overboard recovery under sail
Anchoring and mooring techniques
Heavy weather seamanship
Emergency procedures
Yacht management and command
Crew leadership and decision making
Mock Yachtmaster examination exercises
Ready to take the next step? Book your place online or contact BH Marine Academy on 01305 564204 for dates, availability and advice on the right course for you.
Required experience
Minimum 50 days aboard, 5 days as skipper, 2500 miles logged, 5 passages of over 60 miles including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper
Minimum duration
5 days (Monday to Friday) preparation
Minimum age
Preparation course: 17 years. You must be at least 18 at the time of the independent RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam.
Content
Duration: 5 days (Monday to Friday) preparation
Previous Experience Required: Minimum 50 days aboard, 5 days as skipper, 2500 miles logged, 5 passages of over 60 miles including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper (Half the qualifying sea time must have been conducted in tidal waters). VHF radio operators certificate and a valid first aid certificate. Current theory knowledge to RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster theory.
Course Overview: Preparation and revision up for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence. Revision of advanced skippering techniques, close quarters handling under power and sail, navigation and pilotage by day and night, man overboard recovery and overall yacht management skills. Maximum three learners per instructor
Certificate issuing criteria
This is a preparation course and does not itself award a qualification. Candidates who successfully pass the independent RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence examination will receive one of the world's most respected recreational and commercial yachting qualifications.
At BH Marine Academy, our instructors are experienced professional mariners, commercial yacht captains and RYA Yachtmaster Instructors with thousands of miles of offshore sailing experience. We focus on producing confident, competent skippers through realistic practical training, constructive coaching and thorough examination preparation. Our aim is not simply to help you pass the exam, but to ensure you possess the judgement, seamanship and leadership expected of a Yachtmaster Offshore.
Contact BH Marine Academy by telephone or WhatsApp to discuss your experience, review your qualifying sea time and reserve your place on the next available Yachtmaster Offshore Preparation Course.
Format
Practical on the water training
Price:
Shared cabin: £898 per person. Own cabin: £990 per person total, subject to availability; please enquire before booking.
Course dates and availability: scheduled practical dates are listed in the course details above and on the course category page. Use the online booking calendar to select a date. For alternative dates, private tuition or courses without a published schedule, please contact BH Marine or complete the enquiry form below.
Make a booking enquiry
Please read our training terms before booking. This form requests dates and availability; your booking is confirmed separately.
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