Focused preparation for the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore exams
The RYA Yachtmaster Prep Week is an intensive, practical preparation course designed to get you exam-ready for either the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam. This is not a training course and not a syllabus refresher — it’s a structured week that sharpens your skipper mindset, decision-making, navigation and boat handling so you arrive at your exam confident, composed and in control.
We train in realistic coastal and offshore conditions around Antigua, with clear progression tailored to the level you’re aiming for.
What You Will Practise
Prep Week is built around exam-style scenarios, not classroom teaching. You’ll apply what you already know — accurately, consistently and under pressure — with continuous instructor feedback.
You will practise:
- Preparation for sea — passage planning, risk assessment and crew briefings
- Navigation & pilotage — coastal and offshore position fixing, validation and decision-making
- Boat handling under sail and power — precision, control and consistency
- Close-quarters manoeuvres — berthing, anchoring, picking up moorings
- COLREGs in real situations — early, positive and defensible actions
- Skippering & leadership — delegation, communication and command presence
- Emergency scenarios — man overboard, equipment failures and prioritisation
- Night sailing & pilotage — confidence and situational awareness after dark
Coaching is adapted throughout the week to reflect whether you are preparing for RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam.
Coastal vs Offshore – What’s the Difference?
During the week, instructors tailor the depth and complexity of scenarios depending on your exam level.
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal candidates focus on:
- Confident coastal passage planning
- Safe decision-making by day and night
- Clear command of crew and vessel
- Demonstrating competence in familiar waters
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore candidates additionally focus on:
- Longer passages and increased responsibility
- Higher-level navigation and passage planning
- More complex decision-making under pressure
- Stronger emphasis on leadership, endurance and judgement
If you’re unsure which exam is right for you, the RYA Yachtmaster Prep Week allows us to give honest, informed guidance. If you want an answer now, have a look at our decision helper or speak to one of our instructors.
Who Is This Prep Week For
This RYA Yachtmaster Prep Week is ideal if you:
- Are booked (or planning to book) a RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam
- Meet (or are close to meeting) the RYA sea-time requirements
- Want structured, exam-specific practice
- Haven’t been examined recently and want to rebuild confidence
- Prefer focused coaching over general refresher sailing
It’s also suitable if you want professional advice on whether RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or RYA Yachtmaster Offshore is the appropriate exam level.
Pre-Requisites
You should already have:
- Valid First Aid certificate and RYA Marine Radio (SRC)
- Confidence skippering a yacht under sail and power
This week refines performance — it does not teach fundamentals.
Course Format
- Duration: 5 days (typically scheduled immediately before the exam)
- Format: Practical, live-aboard sailing
- Group Size: Small groups for maximum helm time and individual feedback
- Instructor Focus: Exam standards, clarity and consistency
Training takes place in varied coastal conditions around Antigua to expose you to the situations examiners expect you to handle calmly and competently.
Price and Availability
Prep Week Fee: USD $3,950 per person, which includes the cost of the five-day live-aboard prep course, the use of the Second Star Sailing School boat for the exam, including on-board accommodation, and the examiner (who must be flown in to the island, normally from Europe)
Exam Fee: Paid separately to the RYA (currently GBP £230 for the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal exam and GBP £266 for the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam)
If you would like to do the prep week and exam on your own boat, please contact us for pricing.
Prep Weeks are aligned with examiner availability and exam dates. Places are limited and early booking is strongly recommended, particularly during peak exam periods.
If your preferred dates aren’t listed, contact us — we may be able to align a Prep Week with your exam schedule.
Next steps
- Check your Yachtmaster eligibility (Coastal or Offshore)
- Book your Prep Week to secure your place
- Confirm or schedule your exam date
- Arrive ready to practise, refine and perform
Prep Week doesn’t make you a skipper — it helps you prove that you already are one.
Why Prep Week Makes the Difference
Many capable sailors fail exams not through lack of skill, but through unclear communication, rushed decisions or unfamiliar exam pressure. Yachtmaster Prep Week removes uncertainty by providing structured rehearsal, clear expectations and examiner-aligned coaching — so the exam feels familiar, calm and controlled.
