Advanced sailing theory for confident navigation and offshore planning.
Build on your Day Skipper theory and take your navigation, meteorology, seamanship and passage planning skills to the level expected for advanced skippering and RYA Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore qualifications.
What Will You Learn?
Over 40 hours of instruction (either over a five-day classroom course or online at your own pace), this course gives you a strong foundation in advanced theory required for coastal and offshore navigation, seamanship and safe passage planning:
- Advanced chartwork and position fixing (including DR, EP, radar and GPS)
- Passage planning from coast to offshore waters
- Tidal knowledge and tidal streams
- Advanced meteorology and weather interpretation
- Use of Admiralty publications and electronic navigation aids
- Safety at sea and collision regulations (COLREGs)
- Passage execution strategies and risk management
This theory is essential for tackling longer passages, night sailing and the decision-making needed for RYA Coastal Skipper Practical and Yachtmaster Offshore pathways.
Read the full RYA syllabus
For candidates seeking commercial endorsement or who are progressing towards a MCA Masters 200, the final exam must be invigilated at an RYA training centre.
Our student instructor ratio is a maximum of 6:1. This allows us to give you maximum individual attention and for our instructors to create a bespoke classroom experience for each and every one of our students.
Who Is This Course For?
This advanced shorebased course is for sailors who:
- Have completed RYA Day Skipper theory and want to go further
- Want deeper confidence in navigation and offshore decision-making
- Cruise further afield, including night passages and complex pilotage
- Are preparing for chartwork, meteorology and navigation to an advanced standard
This course is not a beginners’ introduction — it builds on existing theory knowledge and prepares you for advanced skippering challenges.
Pre-Requisites
To get the most from this course you should have:
- A solid grasp of basic navigation and seamanship fundamentals
- Some sailing experience, ideally including coastal passages
There is no strict minimum sea miles requirement for the theory class itself, but a good understanding of Day Skipper-level theory will help you assimilate the advanced subjects covered.
Price and Availability
Typically delivered over five days (plus the exam on the sixth day) in a shorebased format at our Antigua location or you can also complete the RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Theory online for flexibility before joining practical courses.
Price:
- Classroom version: USD $1,860 per person
- Online version: USD $499 per person
You can find the availability on our online booking platform here. If you don’t see the dates you want, contact us and we may be able to move course around or put you on the waiting list for your specific dates.
At Second Star Sailing, we require you to completing this theory before progressing to practical courses such as RYA Coastal Skipper Practical or preparing for the Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore exams.
Classroom course availability varies by season—book early to secure your preferred dates.
What to Do Next?
Follow the theory with RYA Coastal Skipper Practical to stretch your sails on longer passages and overnight sailing. You can also sit for the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore Certificate of Competence, which is the ultimate aim of aspiring skippers. It is a well known, highly respected qualification worldwide, proving your experience and competence and can be commercially endorsed for professional work.
Add RYA Marine Radio (SRC) and RYA First Aid, which are required for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster exams.
We also offer a number of specialist subject courses including RYA Diesel Engine, RYA Sea Survival, RYA Radar and to give you the key knowledge and skills to be safe, confident and independent on the water.
