RYA Fastrack to Yachtmaster theory online course 

The Fastrack to Yachtmaster theory course is ideal for students who either have some navigational theory knowledge at Day Skipper level but who have not completed any formal training or those who require a knowledge refresher before continuing on to complete the advanced theory course at Coastal Skipper level.

The RYA online Fastrack to RYA Yachtmaster theory course is delivered by Navathome, a RYA Recognised Training Centre specialising in online training.

Access is provided to the Day Skipper theory revision website and the Coastal Skipper theory course.

The Day Skipper revision element provides you with knowledge of the important basics and covers everything from getting the vessel ready to go to full passage planning taking into account depths, navigation, collision regulations, weather and safety.
The Coastal Skipper theory course then covers topics in greater depth such as passage planning taking into account depths, navigation, collision regulations, weather and safety.

C-MASTERS supplements this online course with 2 day sessions with one of our instructors at our centre. These theory boosters haven proven to be very valuable for our students, helping them with learning the more challenging parts of the course such as Height of tide at secondary ports.

Yachtmaster / Coastal Skipper theory course syllabus

• Dead reckoning and estimated position
• Satellite-derived position
• Use of waypoints to fix position
• Radar fixes
• Techniques of visual fixing
• Fixes using a mixture of position lines
• Relative accuracy of different methods of position fixing
• Area of uncertainty

• Allowance for variation
• Change of variation with time and position
• Causes of deviation
• Swing for deviation (but not correction)
• Allowance for deviation
• Different types of compass

• Causes of tide – Springs and Neaps
• Tide tables – sources
• Tidal levels and datum
• Standard and secondary ports
• Tide anomalies (Solent, etc.)

• Sources of tidal information
• Tidal stream information in sailing directions and Yachtsmen’s Almanacs
• Allowance for tidal streams in computing a course to steer
• Tide rips, overfalls and races
• Tidal observation buoys, beacons etc.

• IALA system buoyage in Region A
• Limitations of buoys as navigational aids

• Characteristics
• Ranges – visual, luminous and nominal
• Rising and dipping distances
• Light lists

• Harbour regulations and control signals
• Methods of pre-planning
• Clearing lines
• Use of soundings
• Transits and leading lines

• Principles of operation and limitations of use
• Raster and vector charts
• Datum
• Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source and keeping a separate record of position
• Importance of paper charts

• Principles of operation and limitations of use

• Principles of operation limitations of use

• Importance of log as yacht’s official document
• Layout of log, hourly and occasional entries

• Basic terms, the Beaufort scale b. Air masses c. Cloud types d. Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems e. Sources of weather forecasts f. Ability to interpret a shipping forecast, weatherfax and weather satellite information g. Land and sea breezes h. Sea fog i. Use of barometer as a forecasting aid

• A sound knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, except Annexes 1 and 3

• Personal safety, use of lifejackets, safety harnesses and lifelines
• Fire prevention and fire fighting
• Distress signals
• Coastguard and Boat Safety Scheme
• Preparation for heavy weather
• Liferafts and helicopter rescue
• Understanding of capabilities of vessel and basic knowledge of stability

• Precautions to be taken in fog
• Limitations to safe navigation imposed by fog
• Navigation in poor visibility

• Preparation of charts and notebook for route planning and making, and use at sea
• Customs regulations as they apply to yachts
• Routine for navigating in coastal waters
• Strategy for course laying
• Use of waypoints and routes
• Use of weather forecast information for passage planning strategy
• Sources of local and national regulations

Overview of all RYA online courses