RYA/MCA Yachtmaster™ Fast Track Syllabus & Programme

The Commodore Yachting “Zero to Hero” course, or more commonly known as the RYA Yachtmaster™ Fast Track programme, is a major investment in yourself as a sailor, with the end-goal that you’ll be awarded a professional qualification which will enable you to work worldwide in the sailing industry.

Our programme may not be the cheapest, but it’s by far the most comprehensive and detailed in the industry. We want you to feel you’ve not only gained a wealth of knowledge, but have the confidence, experience, and ability to back it up all the way, when and where it matters. For this, we don’t cut corners. We include all the usual courses everyone else does, but we add-in a lot of self-sail time, including a more involved look at yachts and how they are constructed, maintained, and repaired. We give you all the tools you need to succeed—the rest is on you to practice, practice, practice, and show that knowledge and ability in the Yachtmaster exam.

A Practical, Skills-Focused Approach

We believe there is simply no substitute for hands-on experience at sea. That’s why our students spend the vast majority of their time—72 days out of the total 98 days of tuition—actually sailing. You’ll hone your seamanship skills not just through formal instruction, but also by taking real command of a yacht, managing crew, and handling challenging scenarios that build true confidence. We carefully balance your time between skipper development, structured “drills and skills” weeks close to home waters, and mileage-building passages to destinations throughout the Archipelago in Europe and beyond.

A Logical Progression for Real Mastery

So, let’s talk about our programme and what we offer that others don’t.

We run the RYA Yachtmaster™ Fast Track programme over 18 weeks, which we feel is the perfect timescale to give you the right level of immersion, so that what you’ve learnt has time to soak in and become second nature. We’ve structured the programme so every course or event complements the previous one you completed. We want you to feel it’s one smooth, logical transition from step to step, with practical sea time and classroom learning reinforcing each other at every stage.

What’s Included

We offer a comprehensive package for our RYA Yachtmaster™ Fast Track programme, unlike a lot of our competition. We include all the instructor fees, yacht charter costs, RYA and Governing body certification costs (Yachtmaster Exam fees are not included), course materials, wet weather kit (not including footwear), and also, for those self-sail mile-building passages when you act as skipper, a food budget—spend it as you see fit. We also include accommodation aboard one of our fleet yachts during theory courses (food not included during theory courses), so the course is truly residential.

From day one, you’ll be immersed in a programme that values real experience and confidence, not just certificates. You’ll graduate not only with a professional qualification recognised worldwide, but with the skills and self-belief to thrive on the water—where it really counts.

What Is the RYA Yachtmaster™ Offshore Certification?

The RYA Yachtmaster™ Offshore certificate is widely regarded as the pinnacle of professional sailing qualifications. Recognised around the world, it demonstrates not only a deep understanding of seamanship, navigation, and meteorology, but also the practical skills to skipper a yacht on long offshore passages—day or night, in any weather. Earning this certification opens the door to commercial opportunities in the yachting industry, whether you dream of skippering charters in the Mediterranean, crossing the Atlantic, or leading adventure cruises in far-flung destinations. This isn’t just a piece of paper; it’s the gold standard for sailors who want to be taken seriously wherever the wind carries them.

Our programme may not be the cheapest, but it’s by far the most comprehensive and detailed in the industry. We want you to feel you’ve not only gained a wealth of knowledge, but have the confidence, experience and ability to back it up all the way, when and where it matters. For this, we don’t cut corners. We include all the usual courses everyone else does, but we add-in a lot of self-sail time, including a more involved look at yachts and how they are constructed, maintained and repaired. We give you all the tools you need to succeed, the rest is on you to practice, practice, practice, and show that knowledge and ability in the Yachtmaster exam.

So, lets talk about our programme and what we offer that others don’t.

What Sets Our Fast Track Apart

We believe that the quality of your training is only as good as those who deliver it. That’s why our instructors are not only highly qualified, but chosen for their ability to communicate clearly, share their expertise, and—crucially—bring a sense of humour onboard. Our team undergoes ongoing professional development, ensuring that your learning experience is both up-to-date and engaging.

We keep our intake numbers deliberately low, so you’ll never feel like just another face in the crowd. With small group sizes, you’ll benefit from close supervision, one-on-one feedback, and more hands-on time at the helm. This approach allows us to spot your strengths early and help you build on them, while also identifying areas for improvement—so you always know exactly where you stand and how to move forward.

Our programme is purposefully organised, with each week building logically on the last. Every course or event complements the previous one you completed, creating a smooth, logical transition from step to step. After each key stage, you’ll have a debrief with your instructor, and regular check-ins ensure your progress stays on track. This means that your learning is tailored to you, not just the syllabus.

A Thorough, Immersive Experience

We run the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster™ Fast Track programme over 18 weeks, which we feel is the perfect timescale to give you the right level of immersion and ensure everything you’ve learnt has time to soak in and become second nature. Unlike many competitors, we offer a truly comprehensive package: all instructor fees, yacht charter costs, RYA and Governing Body certification costs (Yachtmaster Exam fees are not included), course materials, wet weather kit (excluding footwear), and a food budget when you take out a yacht for self-sail and mile building as skipper are all included.

Accommodation aboard one of our fleet yachts is provided during theory courses (food not included during theory courses), making the course truly residential and allowing you to live and breathe sailing throughout.

Simply put, we’ve designed every aspect of this programme to ensure you leave not just qualified, but genuinely ready to skipper a yacht with confidence—whether you’re heading to the Solent or setting your sights on far-flung shores.

We split-up the programme into three modules, all of which are detailed below, with the sea miles and days duration so you can see what you’ll be doing.

What we don’t include:

• Marina fees or harbour dues (Although you can berth for free at some Premier Marina Locations)
• Food during theory or Shorebased courses
• Skippers insurance
• RYA/MCA Yachtmaster exam fee

Module 1:

Module 1 brings yourself up to RYA Day Skipper level, with all the essential courses included to give you confidence and knowledge to handle the yacht and her crew, plus deal with issues should they arise.

You’ll now be able to successfully plan, organise and execute passages, acting as the Skipper of the yacht. From here your confidence will build and you’ll grow as a sailor. At this point it’s now time to look at Module 2 and everything that contains, as now it starts to get more exciting!

Module 2:

Module 2 takes you from your successful completion of the RYA Day Skipper course and moves you up to the next level. This is where we give you plenty of time to build confidence and get out onto the waves, planning and executing your own passages of around 20-30 miles using navigational techniques during the day as well as at night. Now it’s time to go coastal! We then put you through your RYA Coastal Skipper course not just once, but twice. Twice you say? Yes! We think that this course has so much intrinsic value that it’s well worth not rushing it, but repeating it to really bring home the value of the course, and improve your abilities as a Coastal Skipper. Trust me, it’s worth it when we say it’s worth doing twice. This course brings home skills which aren’t often used, but when you need them, they’ll be second nature. Skills like sailing in confined spaces, sailing onto and off moorings and onto mooring buoys, it’s all good stuff and also great fun. This module will help advance your skills perfectly.

Module 3:

Module 3 concentrates on building miles and experience, allowing you to hone your skills in conjunction with one of our RYA Yachtmaster Instructors™ who will be with you for the first five days. Following that, you’ll be out on your own (with a crew) for the next 14 days for some self-sail time (charter). You’ll have the whole of Northern Europe at your disposal, so before you depart on your first big adventure you’ll need to plan the journey and show us the skills you’ve accumulated over the previous weeks. This experience is essential as it allows you to gain real offshore knowledge and those all-essential qualifying passages for the final examination. During this time don’t think you are all on your own, as we are still available on the phone 24/7 to offer help and guidance where we can. By this point you should be a fully-confident sailor and the exam will be a mere formality to you.

Throughout all modules, the emphasis is on quality over quantity: meaningful sea time, real-world sailing, and step-by-step development into a competent, confident Yachtmaster. With every week spent at sea, your skills are sharpened and your understanding deepened—so when you finally sit your exam, it won’t just be a piece of paper, but the culmination of a life-changing journey.

Why We Keep Our Groups Small

We believe that your learning environment should feel personal, supportive, and engaging—not like you’re lost in a crowd. That’s why we deliberately keep our student numbers low on each intake.

With fewer trainees per group, you’ll enjoy plenty of direct, one-on-one time with our highly experienced instructors. This means your questions never get lost in the shuffle and your progress gets close attention from day one. You’ll have more hands-on opportunities, immediate feedback, and the chance to truly absorb all the detailed skills and knowledge at each stage of training.

In essence, this approach ensures you benefit from in-depth guidance and a genuinely tailored experience—qualities we consider essential for building real confidence and competence on the water.

How the Programme Unfolds

Our 18-week Yachtmaster™ Fast Track isn’t just “set sail and hope for the best.” Each week is crafted with clear objectives—think of it as building blocks, where every skill you learn supports the next.

After every skill session, your instructor will walk you through what went well and what could use a bit of polish (don’t worry, we’ve all had our first attempt at a tricky manoeuvre caught on GoPro). At the close of each week, you’ll get a detailed, personal debriefing. This isn’t just a box-ticking exercise; it’s about identifying your strengths, working out where you could use a hand, and making sure you have a solid game plan to sharpen your skills.

This means from your first knots right up to skippering along the Solent,  you’re never left guessing. Each action plan is tailored to you—so you’re not only meeting the standard, you’re building a foundation that’s yours, week after week.

Module 1:

Module 1 brings yourself up to RYA Day Skipper level, with all the essential courses included to give you confidence and knowledge to handle the yacht and her crew, plus deal with issues should they arise.

You’ll now be able to successfully plan, organise and execute passages, acting as the Skipper of the yacht. From here your confidence will build and you’ll grow as a sailor. At this point it’s now time to look at Module 2 and everything that contains, as now it starts to get more exciting!

Module 2:

Module 2 takes you from your successful completion of the RYA Day Skipper course and moves you up to the next level. This is where we give you plenty of time to build confidence and get out onto the waves, planning and executing your own passages of around 20-30 miles using navigational techniques during the day as well as at night. Now it’s time to go coastal! We then put you through your RYA Coastal Skipper course not just once, but twice. Twice you say? Yes! We think that this course has so much intrinsic value that it’s well worth not rushing it, but repeating it to really bring home the value of the course, and improve your abilities as a Coastal Skipper. Trust me, it’s worth it when we say it’s worth doing twice. This course brings home skills which aren’t often used, but when you need them, they’ll be second nature. Skills like sailing in confined spaces, sailing onto and off moorings and onto mooring buoys, it’s all good stuff and also great fun. This module will help advance your skills perfectly.

Module 3:

Module 3 concentrates on building miles and experience, allowing you to hone your skills in conjunction with one of our RYA Yachtmaster Instructors™ who will be with you for the first five days.

You’ll benefit from the guidance of highly experienced instructors, each carefully chosen not just for their depth of knowledge, but also for their ability to communicate clearly and inject a bit of humour into the learning process. Our team is committed to your development throughout, offering ongoing support and practical tips—both on and off the water—to ensure you’re confident and well-prepared for real-world sailing.

These first five days are intensive and invaluable: you’ll put theory into practice, tackle a variety of weather and sea conditions, and work through scenarios that challenge your seamanship and leadership. This is not just about ticking off miles; it’s about embedding skills so they become second nature, all under the watchful eye of your instructor, whose encouragement and practical advice will help you grow as a competent sailor.

Following that, you’ll be out on your own (with a crew) for the next 14 days for some self-sail time (charter). You’ll have the whole of northern Europe at your disposal, so before you depart on your first big adventure you’ll need to plan the journey and show us the skills you’ve accumulated over the previous weeks. This experience is essential as it allows you to gain real offshore knowledge and those all-essential qualifying passages for the final examination. During this time don’t think you are all on your own, as we are still available on the phone 24/7 to offer help and guidance where we can. By this point you should be a fully-confident sailor and the exam will be a mere formality to you.

A few helpful notes………..

Hopefully the above has whetted your appetite and you are now feverously emailing us to book your space! But lets just hold our horses for a second and consider a few things, as we want the experience to be a positive life-changing event you’ll smile about for the rest of your life.

What do previous students think?

You don’t have to just take our word for it—over the years, countless sailors have come through our programme and left with smiles wider than a spinnaker in a fresh breeze. Many mention the quality of both the hands-on training and classroom sessions, praising the balance between solid seamanship, practical learning (and, yes, even the camaraderie over dinner rivalled the best pub grub on the Solent).

It’s not unusual for students to head home recommending the experience to friends or crew members itching to level up. Whether it’s folks taking their first leap as Skipper or seasoned hands chasing new qualifications, most remark on feeling more confident, sea-ready, and looking forward to getting out there again—something we take as the highest compliment.

If you want to hear it straight from the source, just quiz sailors at any marina between Portsmouth and Falmouth, or even further —you’ll likely find someone who’s been through our course and is still raving about it.

So, health……. yours mainly.

Lets face it, we aren’t all superheroes and sometimes we don’t look after ourselves as much as we should. This programme is demanding, both physically and mentally. It’ll push and drive you, but all in the right ways, making you a better sailor for it. So, you need to make sure you are up for it, and up to it.

So why not take some time to check in at the gym for a few weeks beforehand, cut out the booze, and spend a few weeks (or months) on the good healthy home-cooked food, embracing the salad a bit more and cutting out the take-aways for a while? It’ll all be for the benefit of yourself and you’ll probably feel fitter and more agile at the end of it anyway, but it’s preferable to be in reasonable shape before you start bouncing around the Solent on one of our yachts.

Mentally, you need to prepare yourself for an intensive learning experience, be open minded to learning new skills and gaining knowledge. You need to prepare for the fact that once you’ve gained your RYA Day Skipper practical qualification, you will be self-sailing yachts to build miles, with YOU acting as skipper. A lot of responsibility, but one you’ll be amply qualified for.

At the end of the day this is a serious qualification and one thing you will need is a medical. The MCA medical requirements are very particular so if you are a physical wreck, you might not pass it. They aren’t looking for superhuman athletes, but you need to be in reasonable shape. With mental health as well being in the public eye now (about time too!), you may also need to ask yourself if you are mentally in the right frame of mind for it too. There is no shame in having doubts or lots of questions, we are all human and a chat with us over a coffee is always a good thing. Either way, we are here to support you through all you sailing career. We want to see you succeed!

So……. give yourself a little love, it’ll pay dividends in the long-run.

Previous experience, and is this right for you?

Acceptance on this course doesn’t require any formal sailing qualifications at all. In fact, the more “blank canvas” you are, the easier we can mould you into a great sailor as you’ll have no bad habits! We do advise that you have sailed a little, and that you’ve experienced a few days on a yacht—ideally around 100 sea miles is a good yardstick.

This is a serious commitment to make, and isn’t a “pay to pass” course. It’s also not a 9-5 course where you go home at the end of each day; it’s a full-on journey and you need to acknowledge this.

Who is this course for?

Whether you’re looking to embark on a new career in the sailing industry, take a sabbatical, enjoy a gap year adventure, or push your leisure sailing to the next level in retirement, this course is designed to set you up for success. If you’re after a life-changing experience—maybe you’ve just retired, or you’re between jobs and ready for your next big challenge—this could be exactly what you’re searching for.

No matter your background, it’s important to approach this programme ready to lay strong foundations for the journey ahead. If you’re seeking long-distance sailing challenges, a stepping stone into professional yachting, or simply a fresh adventure, you’ll find this course demanding, rewarding, and transformative.

We want everyone to come in with eyes wide open, ready for the commitment, the camaraderie, and the sense of achievement that comes with seeing your skills—and your confidence—grow day by day.

Flexibility for Experienced Sailors

If you’re not exactly a blank canvas and already have a log-book brimming with salty tales and sea miles, there’s still room for you here. For sailors with prior experience, we won’t make you start from scratch. Instead, during your initial taster weekend with us, we’ll have a chat, maybe put you through your paces, and get a true sense of your skills and knowledge.

Based on what you demonstrate, it may be possible to fast-track you into module two or three, giving you a head start and avoiding any unnecessary déjà vu. This way, we make sure you’re challenged, engaged, and not sitting through content you’ve long ago mastered. The main thing is that the course aligns with your needs and ambitions—whether that’s conquering new waters or simply refining what you already know—so you get the most out of your time with us.

This is why we run an initial taster-weekend, following you paying your deposit for the course. If after that you’ve decided it’s not for you, then no hard feelings and we hope we can help you out with another path or route to get your goal. But, if you’ve decided it’s definitely for you, then lets get going! We operate this weekend as we want everyone to enter into this programme with their eyes fully open as to what it entails. Please get in touch with us for when we can get you down to see where you are on the program.

Books and course materials

This programme is intended to be the most comprehensive learning experience you’ll have in your sailing career. We know at Commodore Yaching we sometimes refer back to our own RYA course books occasionally and so why shouldn’t you? So, with that in mind we include all RYA course books and materials in the programme cost. When you complete the course, those course materials are yours to take away. All you should have is a log-book of some variety with proof of sea mileage or experience. Note that because there are so many good books and reading material out there, we can’t include for everything that might be of use. So what we’ll do is give you a recommended reading list and then it’s your decision as to what (if any) you decide to purchase yourself.

Trouble accessing course materials or need a hand?

If you run into any issues getting hold of the course materials or recommended books—don’t panic! We know the digital gods sometimes like to throw a spanner in the works. If something isn’t downloading, you’d rather flick through a good old-fashioned paper copy, or you just want a bit of help, simply drop us a line. We’re more than happy to chat things through and make sure you’re properly set up with everything you need—after all, we want your experience to get off on the right tack.

And of course, don’t forget to bring your questions, even the ones you think are silly. No question is ever too small—whether it’s about where to source the latest RYA publications or tracking down that trusty logbook. Reach out, grab a coffee, and let’s get you sorted!

So……where do i sail and where do i visit?

This is the fun part, technically the whole of northern Europe is now open to you, more or less! From our marina base at Premier Gosport Marina, you’ve got the whole of the Solent open to you, along with the stunning jurassic coastline west of Poole to explore, northern France and the Channel Islands. Initially you’ll be Solent-based and by the time you start to undertake longer passages you’ll be more than familiar with every Cardinal, buoy and lighting sequence within it.

The Solent truly is the best place to learn to sail, with all its hussle and bussle, the commercial traffic, the sheer volume of yachts and motorboats on a warm summers day, plus with Portsmouth being the home of the Royal Navy there is certainly plenty to see. Many people say “if you can sail the Solent, you can sail anywhere”, and we’d agree with them, more or less! With its complex wind and tide patterns you’ll enjoy getting to grips with how challenging it can be at times.

Once you’ve gained your RYA Day Skipper qualification and start doing some self-sail mile-building sailing, the choice of locations opens up to you.

Providing the perfect springboard for further adventures, the Solent is an excellent base for the distance sailing sections of the programme. With easy access to the Isle of Wight, France, the Channel Islands and north coast of Europe. It also benefits from opportunities provided along the south coast of the UK. The sailing programme is rarely constrained by weather or wind direction and this provides interesting, varied and challenging sailing pretty much all the time.

And finally………….

Hopefully the above has given you a flavour for what the RYA Yachtmaster™ Fast Track programme is all about. There is a lot to take in and it’s not a decision which should be taken lightly. It’s an investment in you, and that investment needs a lot of input and dedication to achieve. So, ask around, speak to likeminded sailors, friends, family, even us! We love to chat about all kinds of sailing shenanigans, so don’t be afraid to pick up the phone anytime and give us a call. We are all sailors after all, and us lot at Commodore Yachting are so passionate about sailing we still answer the phones up to 8pm each night and sometimes even later! Don’t be a stranger, give us a shout and lets have a chat with how we can help you achieve the pinnacle of professional sailing!