The Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School is delighted to be a training partner for the Quarterdeck Skipper Academy. We've set out the steps below you'll need to take to complete the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Assessment.
If you need any advice, or have a question please contact us on +353 1 2844195, email sailing@inss.ie or leave us a message here and we'll get back to you.
We've several options to help you, but the two most popular are the full training programme, and the direct yachtmaster assessment.
Learn more...
Training Programme
This program culminates in the Yachtmaster Coastal Exam. It has been designed to be the simplest route to gaining all the required sailing certification in order to meet the Quarterdeck entry requirements.
The package includes;
- RYA Competent Crew Course
- RYA Yachtmaster Theory Course, completed online prior to programme attendance
- RYA Dayskipper Practical Course
- RYA Coastal Skipper Course
- Yachtmaster Preparation Week
- Use of Yacht for Yachtmaster Exam
- VHF Radio Course
- First Aid Course
- Accommodation onboard the yacht for the duration of the programme (including weekends)
- Food onboard the yacht while you are participating on practical courses (not provided for weekends on shorebased programmes and rest days).
- All course materials
- Use of sailing gear/safety equipment.
The cost for this program is €3,499. This cost can be spread out in instalments to make it more manageable. Our cancellation policy for this course can be viewed here.
What else is covered?
One of the challenges many new skippers encounter is mooring and anchoring issues. The programme will focuses very heavily on these techniques. Med mooring will also be covered in detail, so that you can be as prepared as possible for your new career. Finally, we place huge emphasis on finding out from people in the industry what you can expect with hints and tips. Over the course of the programme we'll introduce you to a Yacht Week Skipper for a Q & A session.
Programme Eligibility
This programme is suitable for those with basic yachting experience and dinghy sailors looking to transfer their skills to skippering yachts. If you have no previous experience, or feel that you'd be capable of undertaking the final exam without the 4 weeks training, please get in touch.
Programme B Dates
Week 1: Monday 24th February to Friday 27th February
- Practical RYA Competent Crew Course (Day Time) - 5 Days / 100miles
- VHF Course (Evenings)
Week 2: Monday 2nd March to Friday 6th March
- RYA Day Skipper Practical Course - 5 Days / 100miles
Weekend 2: Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th March
- Saturday: Med Mooring and Parking Drills
- Sunday: First Aid Course
Week 3: Monday 9th March to Friday 13th March
- RYA Coastal Skipper Course - 5 Days / 100mile
Weekend 3: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March
- Solo Sailing - without the instructor. Straightforward passages on the East Coast of Ireland
Week 4: Monday 16th March to Friday 20th March
- Yachtmaster Coastal Prep Week - 5 Days / 100miles
Weekend 4: Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd March
- RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competency Exam
Programme C Dates
Week 1: Monday 23rd March to Friday 27th March
- Practical RYA Competent Crew Course (Day Time) - 5 Days / 100miles
- VHF Course (Evenings)
Week 2: Monday 30th March to Friday 3rd April
- RYA Day Skipper Practical Course - 5 Days / 100miles
Weekend 2: Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th April
- Saturday: Med Mooring and Parking Drills
- Sunday: First Aid Course
Week 3: Monday 6th April to Friday 10th April
- RYA Coastal Skipper Course - 5 Days / 100mile
Weekend 3: Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th April
- Solo Sailing - without the instructor. Straightforward passages on the East Coast of Ireland
Week 4: Monday 13th April to Friday 17th April
- Yacthmaster Coastal Prep Week - 5 Days / 100miles
Weekend 4: Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April
- RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competency Exam
Programme D Dates
Week 1: Tuesday 14th April to Saturday 18th April
- Practical RYA Competent Crew Course (Day Time) - 5 Days / 100miles
Week 2: Monday 20th April to Friday 24th April
- RYA Day Skipper Practical Course - 5 Days / 100miles
- VHF Course (Evenings)
Weekend 2: Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April
- Saturday: Med Mooring and Parking Drills
- Sunday: First Aid Course
Week 3: Monday 27th April to Friday 1st May
- RYA Coastal Skipper Course - 5 Days / 100mile
Weekend 3: Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May
- Solo Sailing - without the instructor. Straightforward passages on the East Coast of Ireland
Week 4: Monday 4th May to Friday 8th May
- Yachtmaster Coastal Prep Week - 5 Days / 100miles
Weekend 4: Saturday 9th and Sunday 19th May
- RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competency Exam
Exam Preparation | You will need...
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competency
- A Radio Operator’s Qualification: GMDSS Short Range Certificate (SRC) or higher
- A valid first aid certificate
- Sea time - 800 miles logged within 10 years prior to examination, 30 days living on board, two days as skipper and 12 night hours. Half of the qualifying sea time must have been accrued in tidal waters.
For holders of the Coastal Skipper Practical Course Completion Certificate the seatime requirement is 400 miles, 20 days living on board, 12 night hours and two days as skipper. Half of the qualifying sea time must have been accrued in tidal waters.
RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competency
- A Radio Operator’s Qualification: GMDSS Short Range Certificate (SRC) or higher,
- A valid first aid certificate
- Sea time – 50 days, 2,500 miles which includes at least 5 passages over 60 miles – with the candidate acing as skipper for at least two of these passages and two that have involved overnight passages. The candidate must have a minimum of five days as skipper. Half of the qualifying seatime must have been accrued in tidal waters.
Following the successful completion of these courses you will have built up the required miles and sea time to take your Yachtmaster Exam. This exam will be the final step on your program with us and once you pass the Yachtmaster Exam then you will be eligible to work as a skipper.
The next step for you will be attend the Quarterdeck Skipper Academy. This is booked seperately with Quarterdeck.
Direct Yachtmaster Assessment
We also offer direct assessments for the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore. We'd highly recommend pairing these with a "prep week", a 5-day course prior to the assessment.
The next step for you will be attend the Quarterdeck Skipper Academy. This is booked seperately with Quarterdeck.
Chat about your Training Now...
Get in touch to speak to one of our experienced team who will help you achieve your dreams:
When the Quarterdeck Skippers came to visit!
We were thrilled to welcome the Quarterdeck crew to Ireland for their annual Skippers' Regatta this September. Check out the video of some of the action below, and the photos on facebook here.