Yachtmaster Fast Track Xpress

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Our Fast Track Yachtmaster program, also known as Yachtmaster Xpress, is a complete series of courses and that will give novices the knowledge, experience, and mileage to be able to complete the RYA Yachtmaster Sail Offshore Exam.

We limit our student intake For the Yachtmaster “Xpress” programme to maximum of 4 in the cohort, although occasionally we may add an additional student during some of the courses – which helps balance out skill sets and expectations.    Our combination of RYA courses and sailing/racing/mileage is truly comprehensive, training you no matter whatever your sailing background.

The courses included in the program are:

• RYA Competent Crew

• RYA Day Skipper Theory

• RYA Day Skipper Practical

• RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory

• RYA Coastal Skipper Practical

• RYA SRC VHF Radio

• RYA First Aid 

• RYA Diesel Engine Maintenance

• RYA Radar

• RYA Powerboat Level 2 (optional)

• Yachtmaster Prep Week and Exam

RYA Professional Practices & Responsibilities (PPR)

Mileage and passages: Once you have the required skills and theory knowledge, we will sail south through some of the beautiful islands of the Caribbean to enable you to skipper passages of 60+ miles as well as the required 2500nm of which 50% will be in tidal waters. These weeks of sailing will be a combination of longer passages and coastal technical navigation in and out of islands such as Guadeloupe, Isles des Saintes, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Tobago Cays, Carriacou, Union Island and Grenada. We will also sail up north to St. Barths and St. Maarten during the course for you to experience that area as well, increasing your exposure to different weather conditions, navigation challenges, and improving and rounding your skills.

For that same reason we try to change the boats you sail on and offer you a variety of instructors to give you access to the greatest set of resources possible. We try to add in a few races to your program, so depending on the start date you might participate in local racing for the St. Valentines’ Regatta, the offshore challenge presented by the RORC 600 Caribbean, or even Antigua Sailing week. All great opportunities to hone your abilities and begin networking as well. You will have days off almost every week, and we encourage you to sail with other people (whom you may have met during a regatta for example) or to charter a yacht during one of the breaks built into the program. This will allow you the opportunity to take full charge and cement your skills dramatically.

The program is held over a total of 18 weeks, and is an intensive period of learning, combined with Caribbean cruising and racing experience.  We build in two weeks of rest/ self skippering /time with friends and family for you to better absorb the knowledge you are building during the program.

 

SAMPLE PROGRAM

MODULE 1 INCLUDES (5 weeks):

  • Dinghy sailing
  • Competent Crew Practical
  • Day Skipper Theory
  • Day Skipper Practical
  • One Skills Week
  • VHF Radio
  • + possibility to add Power Boat Level 2

MODULE 2 INCLUDES (5 weeks):

  • 1 week of Skills and Skippering
  • Coastal Skipper Theory
  • Coastal Skipper Practical
  • Diesel Engine
  • First Aid
  • 2 weeks of Mileage
  • + possibility to add Power Boat Level 2

MODULE 3 INCLUDES (7 weeks)

this module normally includes at least one week of racing

  • 5 weeks of Mileage
  • 1 week of Regattas
  • Yachtmaster Prep Week
  • PPR
  • 2 days Yachtmaster Exam
  • + possibility to add Power Boat Level 2

Prerequisites for this course:

  • 17 years old at time of Yachtmaster Exam
  • A strong desire to sail!
  • You can order paper or e-books on RYA SHOP – it is not mandatory, but there are several books that might be very usefull before and during your preparation.

Next Steps:

Well, now the world is your oyster….  but maybe after you sail for a while you might want to take the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory course and then try your hand at an Ocean passage so that you can sit for the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Exam…

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Included 10 RYA Courses ranging from 1 to 5 days each

2500 nautical miles, and several 60+ mile passages

Yacht accommodation in a shared cabin during all practical courses

Yachtmaster Xpress goodie bag

Participation in Caribbean Regattas and their respective training weeks – including the Valentines’ Regatta, the RORC 600, Heineken St. Maarten, and Antigua Sailing Week depending on your program dates

Safety kit – although we do recommend you bring your own lifejacket as you will be wearing it every day for 16 weeks…  contact us about specific lifejacket requirements

Race kit (t-shirts, caps, etc).

Open air, waterfront and covered classroom / student common room, with free WIFI.

Boat linens and quick dry towel provided weekly

Berthing fees, boat fuel, boat water, etc.

Boat provisioning basics (coffee, tea, sugar, oil, spices etc.)

All RYA course notes, teaching materials and certification per course specifications

Yacht charter for the 2 days of examination. Each student is examined for 12 hours during this period.

Highly experienced RYA Instructors with varied backgrounds.

A minimum of two alternative yachts for experience of different manufacturer’s designs and sailing performance

Travel via delivery of sailboats to race starts (St. Maarten, Grenada, St, Barths etc)

Not included Examination fees for SRC and Yachtmaster exams as these are paid directly to the RYA.

Onboard provisioning, shore provisioning and meals or travel ashore.

Accommodation during shorebased courses and between courses per your specific program dates

Laundry facilities

Visas or other required personal travel expenses when going to different countries/islands

Duration 16 weeks of training over an 18 week period
Bring along Please download “Joining Instructions” below – we also have additional information for our Xpress students!
Participants

Price

Minimum of 3 Students – Maximum of 5 Students

17 750$USD

Please note that we do allow students to join this program at different levels during the three modules for shorter periods on a bespoke plan, depending on their experience and cohort. Please enquire should you be interested!

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