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- Start date:Oct 5, 2025 at 6:30 pm
- End date:Oct 10, 2025 at 3:00 pm
- Crew Capacity5
- Skill Level RequiredAdvanced, Expert
- Course LevelRYA Yachtmaster prep
- LanguageEnglish
- ClimateTemperate
- Vessel TypeSail, Monohull
Our Yachtmaster Preps course is perfect for those looking to practice and perfect their skills before sitting the Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore exam. For most sailors the RYA Yachtmaster is the ultimate aim and the certificate is recognised all over the world. With 20 years of sailing experience, our RYA Yachtmaster Instructor will take you through the drills and skills that are required to pass your exam. Early in the week the instructor will assess your ability and make a plan about where the practice is most needed, to ensure you get tailored time to put you in the best possible position to pass the final exam. Anyone wishing to experience the Preps course without going forward to the exam is welcome to join the course, but we require these experience-only applications to be made by email. The web booking system is designed exclusively for exam candidates. The crew will be a maximum of 4 Yachtmaster candidates and one experience builder.
if you intend to re-take an exam, we need to know the name(s) of your previous examiner(s). You may be examined once only by an examiner
There are two levels of Yachtmaster exam: the first is Yachtmaster Coastal and the second is Yachtmaster Offshore.
Yachtmaster Coastal has the knowledge needed to skipper a yacht on coastal routes but not necessarily the experience of longer passages. The exam will test your general skippering skills and general seamanship, knowledge of collision regulations, navigation, signals and meteorology.
The entry requirements for the YM Coastal exam are: 30 days at sea (two as a skipper), 800 miles and 12 night hours (all in the last 10 years). There are lower requirements if you have Coastal Skipper practical course. Half of the sea time has to be sailed in tidal waters.
Yachtmaster Offshore has the knowledge and experience to skipper a yacht in longer passages where the boat is a maximum of 150 NM from a safe haven. The exam will test skippering skills, boat handling, general seamanship, navigation, safety awareness and knowledge of the IRPCS, meteorology and signals.
The entry requirements for the YM Offshore exam are: 50 days, 2500 miles including at least 5 passages over 60 miles measured along the rhumb line from the port of departure to the destination, acting as skipper for at least two of these passages and including two which have involved overnight passages. 5 days experience as skipper. At least half this mileage and passages must be conducted in tidal waters. All qualifying sea time must be within 10 years prior to the exam.
The course starts on a Sunday evening and departs from Largs Yacht Haven, Scotland, and returns to Largs at approximately noon on the following Friday.
There is no formal course outline, which will allow you to work on the areas that you need the most. After the course we are able to organise an examiner for your Offshore/Coastal exam, if you wish. The exam would commence at approximately noon on the Friday and, depending on the number of candidates (usually 4), it could run through to the Sunday morning. The exam fee is additional to the cost of the course, for aspiring YM Offshore the cost is £231 and YM Coastal it is £200. The cost is set by the RYA and is payable to them by online card payment before the exam.
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tom lovekin
2 weeks agoI have been sailing with Go West regularly for two years now and I have done Competent Crew, Day Skipper Theory and Day Skipper Practical with them. I have also done 3 experience builders, their specialist pontoon and close quarters manoeuvres weekend and most recently a 7 day adventure sail from Largs to Oban. Next up is the VHF course. I have now sailed on 6 of their boats and with 6 of their instructors. Go West is a very well run business, with a considerable number of repeat customers. Their boats are all very well maintained and equipped and their instructors are patient, knowledgeable and polite. However, above all they are all passionate committed lifelong sailors who are keen to pass on their enthusiasm to their customers. I will definitely sail with them again.
Arina
3 weeks agoI had an incredible week sailing along Scotland’s west coast from Largs in May 2025. We explored some stunning Scottish islands with our fantastic skipper, Danny, who made the whole trip even better. The yacht was modern, really comfortable, and a joy to sail. It was an unforgettable experience - great training, a real sense of adventure, and so much fun. I’d highly recommend it to anyone!
Will Muir
4 months agoThis was a really excellent week sailing on the west coast out of Largs March 2025. we sailed across to ballycastle, back via campbelltown in some challenging conditions with an excellent skipper Peter. the boats are modern and very capable, comfortable lots of good grub. A highly recommended experience. Great training great experience.
Helen Murrie
2 weeks agoI have just completed my first weekend of three, aboard Solway Adventurer, learning towards obtaining my day skipper qualification. The instructor was relaxed and knowledgeable. Learning points were clear and he was patient with my questions and allowed me to practice manoeuvres repeatedly when needed, not stepping in but talking me through it. Looking forward to the next two weekends
Michal Hartman
a month agoAnother Exceptional Adventure with Go West Sailing – This Time Aboard Skylark. After many fantastic years of training and chartering with Go West Sailing, I returned once again this season – this time for a one-way sailing, hiking, and photography trip from Oban to Largs aboard Skylark, their beautifully maintained Oceanis 45. Skylark proved to be an outstanding yacht for a demanding passage. We encountered a range of conditions, including winds up to Beaufort 8, and her responsiveness and seaworthiness made all the difference. Even when beating against strong headwinds, she handled beautifully and gave us both safety and performance when we needed it most. At the other end of the spectrum, calmer moments offered their own kind of magic – from sunset dinners in the cockpit to quiet anchorages ideal for photography. The layout and comfort of Skylark allowed us to enjoy every moment, no matter the weather. As always, the Go West shore team provided excellent support – responsive, professional, and genuinely friendly. Whether preparing the yacht or assisting with logistics, their care and expertise were evident at every step. This trip was a perfect blend of adventure and serenity, and I’m once again grateful to the entire Go West team for making it possible. I’ll undoubtedly be back for more!