Beginers Advice - Yachtmaster certification

[SvenglishTommy]

I'm currently thinking about doing the same thing, but despite the fact I dont have the money, I wouldn't do it in a 60' boat if it was free. Getting a boat that big without the experience to handle it will just make the voyage a pain in the arse, you'll have much more fun in something smaller.

 

[tom_sail]

Alot of people have this idea small boats are incapable of doing long distance sailing. My ambition is to sail round Britain in a hunter horizon 26 and when i tell people they think i'm mad and on a suicide mission.

Wayfarers have done longer distances!

People see these round the world yachts like of Volvo ocean race, Vendree Globe, Velux and think only 60+ is capable. The truth is these boats are only this big to carry more Canvas, longer water line, more speed.

The human body will give up much before a good 30-40 foot boat will.

 

[Sailfree]

With a 60' boat you will be doing nearly all your visiting finally by rib.

If you love sailing do the YM course and then do the ARC as paying crew. Then decide what boat you want.

Go on livaboards forum, sketch out your intentions and ask for estimates of annual costs.

I think you may need to contact some brokers to get a realistic cost of running a 60'.

Remember if asked to recommend a car to buy most recommend their own as it matches their experience/requirements/compromises. I doubt if you will find any on here with a sufficient moneypot, and started with limited experience on a 60' that can offer relevant advice.

I have noticed similar slightly resentful comments for1st time buyers that start with a 36-40' boat. We did have dinghy sailing experience, 1 flottila holiday and 1weeks dayskipper course and we started with a new 36' and sailed to France within weeks but the majority work their way up in boat sizes often on older boats and learning to repair them themselves - great experience but they would not relate to your dream.

 

[amcl]

WOW!
I'm absolutely amazed and pleasantly surprised by all of the feedback so far. OK so I guess the 60ft part is really the big issue. My bearings were taken from this from the fact that one of my previous business associates had a 60ish ft Moody and I had the priviledge of spending some time with them sailing between the Balearics and Italy over a summer which really opened my horizons to the yachting world. It was a great experience which I really never wanted to end.

From some passive chatting to people, some have suggested that a modern yacht 40ft+ can be skippered single handed or with guests without huge issues esp with autopilot good modern gps & technical aids.
I've also been told that catamarans are even easier & safer but from what I've read, this is a divisive subject in the sailing world.

Thank you so much for all of your help and feedback. This is exactly what I was hoping for and more...

 

[nimbusgb]

Given the money I'd go for a 60 without hesitation. There was a Farr 65 in Gouvia with a bridge deck that was absolutely heaven! provided the systems are in place for light handed sailing. Hydraulic furling. In mast main furling. Perhaps a cutter rig with smaller headsails.

Enough space for a big diesel generator, 220v all round, Aircon, big fridge, propper toilets and showers, big cupboards and lots of 'toys'. There are worse ways to go round the world!

Not 7 figures but the high side of 500k if purchased say 10 years old.

 

[RobF]

A 60 foot yacht is at the bigger end of the spectrum. To put it in some kind of perspective, it's a bit like saying that you did some flying when younger and want to be able to pilot a 747. If this is your dream and you have the time and finances to realise it - you should definitely go for it.

However, as with all these things it probably makes sense to realise your dream in a series of steps. Whilst you don't need a YM qualification, it would make some sense to do some training. A coastal skipper qualification is a good start, and should take you about 6 weeks including the theory. There are a few organisations that will do a fast track coastal skipper in 8 weeks, including First Aid, basic powerboat handling (RYA level 2) and s diesel engine maintenance course - all very useful stuff.

The other thing to bear in mind with a 60 footer is that you will find yourself limited (by length and draft) in the places you can visit. Quite a few marinas would struggle to accommodate a boat of this length and others would appreciate some prior notice of your arrival.

 

[Wansworth]

If you have run a successful business and sold it your obviously not stupid.Why dont you take on a skipper all round engineerry type to get you going by the time you get to the West Indies you should have some idea...a diy fast track! Have a good third party,everything is possible and it will be an adventure

 

[FistralG]

Hi There,
I'm planning to buy an ocean going cruising yacht (sail) around 60ft next year and plan to sail the world. It's something of a dream I've always had.

I used to sail a lot as a kid but it's mostly gone now and I wanted to get answers from the experts:

Do I need a full Yachmaster qualification? It seems like a lot of work and investment, do I need it, will it bring my insurance down by as much as it costs?

Thanks very much

Don't take too much notice of the nay sayers on here they are most likely envious of your good fortune to be able to do something like this.
To answer your questions, you don't need full Yachtmaster to sail the world. it is a lot of work and investment. It probably won't save you as much as it costs on the insurance.

If I may ask a question in return...do you need a crew?

 

[amcl]

If I may ask a question in return...do you need a crew?

I'm quite a long way off, I haven't got that far yet My plan hopefully begins in 2nd quarter of next year perhaps try around the med of a bit then perhaps try some wider expanses in the oceans. I'm at a very early stage to give you an answer but not no.

 

[amcl]

The other thing to bear in mind with a 60 footer is that you will find yourself limited (by length and draft) in the places you can visit. Quite a few marinas would struggle to accommodate a boat of this length and others would appreciate some prior notice of your arrival.

Can I ask about catamarans in response to this, and I'm aware I'm straying from my own topic here so perhaps I should move this topic if the moderators wish but;
I'm having a parrallel discussion with a friend who keeps mentioning that if I wish to sail for an extended period (this will be my primary residence for at least a year, the London place will be let out for some living expenses) with good living conditions I should consider a cat. perhaps something like a Lagoon 50 or a Lagoon 56 which are supposedly easier to sail and shorter boats with the same comfort level.

Is it particularly hard or expensive to find marinas for this class of yacht?

A

 

[deuc02]

Can't really understand the anti 60ft brigade on here. Don't remember magnum getting the why when he plumped for a CNB 60. Advantages of something that size - lots of space, lots of storage, chances are you'll have hydraulic or electric furling, probably electric winches, decent sized genny to keep it all topped up, decent sized galley and fridges to make livaboarding easy and comfortable. And with all that kit they're not really that hard to sail short handed. And chances are a yacht that size will have a chunky bow thruster to make close quarters nice and easy. Unless or course you're thinking along the lines of a Challenge boat....but somehow I don't think thats the case.

To the OP. Lots of boats like that out there. good luck.

 

[Flying Penguin]

Can't really understand the anti 60ft brigade on here. Don't remember magnum getting the why when he plumped for a CNB 60. Advantages of something that size - lots of space, lots of storage, chances are you'll have hydraulic or electric furling, probably electric winches, decent sized genny to keep it all topped up, decent sized galley and fridges to make livaboarding easy and comfortable. And with all that kit they're not really that hard to sail short handed. And chances are a yacht that size will have a chunky bow thruster to make close quarters nice and easy. Unless or course you're thinking along the lines of a Challenge boat....but somehow I don't think thats the case.

To the OP. Lots of boats like that out there. good luck.

60ft boats are great. If you have the skills to handle it. Most of the concerns were sparked when that was combined with near zero experience. 60ft boats have enough power to kill or maim you much more comprehensively than smaller boats.

AMCL - I haven't got enough experience in this sort of thing to offer any meaningful advice other than take your time, make sure you do a lot of training (whether to paper quals or not) and are comfortable with the boat before you set off (whatever the size), don't rush it, and bloody good luck!

Jamie

 

[amcl]

...other than take your time, make sure you do a lot of training (whether to paper quals or not) and are comfortable with the boat before you set off (whatever the size), don't rush it, and bloody good luck!

Jamie

Thanks Jamie, I'm rethinking this 60ft thing, the reason for me setting the mark there was that it would be my only 'home' for a long time and I'm supposed to be spoiling myself after 10+years building businesses and flogging them so I do have a bit of the..... "ohhh lets do the honeymoon suite" mentality in my approach.

Thanks again

 

[Solitaire]

In practical terms you could take a Yachtmaster Offshore course which will teach you the "basics" at the level you need (but as already noted this is not compulsory).

There is no such thing as a "Yachtmaster Offshore course". As to teaching the basics you need a bit more than that to pass the "Certificate of Competence". Most RYA training centres run a prep course prior to taking the exam, but this is not mandatory.

There is a basic minimum requirement of 2,500 nm. http://www.5starmarine.co.uk/ryamca.html

 

[shaunksb]

I've also been told that catamarans are even easier & safer but from what I've read, this is a divisive subject in the sailing world.

..

First of all well done for having a dream. Don't let people put you off your plan is achievable if you put the effort in. That means getting on the water as much as you can, (maybe get a "smaller" boat now) get the Day Skipper Theory and Yachtmaster theory courses completed over the next year (maybe day skipper theory/practicle in one course with plenty of reading beforehand and YM theory over this winter at evening classes).

Then maybe do your yachtmaster practicle next summer. (if you can get the milage in)

In the meantime have a look at a few video logs of people actually doing it to get a "feel" for it.




Fair winds

 

[SailBobSquarePants]

FWIW, a acquaintance of mine bought a Bavaria 50 with absolutely NO sailing experience whatsoever. However, the number of times he has had to been rescued even from just outside Chichester harbor is legendary...it's not so much docking that he does, as crashing... Having said that, he has a blast and he hasn't killed anyone.

OTOH, I met a chap in my marina who has recently bought a Hood 50, had a modicum of experience, and was sailing it locally for 18 months before he and wife set off to the Med to retire.

I think one of the issues with a 60' boat is the draft...it is likely to be so deep that there will be many places you simply cannot get into well, and and up moored offshore. Mind you, that includes places that would be very good bolt holes in a blow.

I would posit that the length of the boat is not the issue - there are many other qualities in a boat that have to be weighed. That Hood 50 above was far narrower and cramped than my friend's Bavaria 50, but no question that the Hood is the boat I would want to be offshore in. Conversely, my "little" 32 foot Nicholson is a bluewater boat that I know would last far longer than I would in tough conditions - that's what she was designed for. But for all that, she has but one berth besides the settees.

So...I would not start by thinking about length. I would think very keenly about what type of sailing I wanted to do, and with how many people,and how many of those skilled. And then work up from there...

 

[sailorman]

FWIW, a acquaintance of mine bought a Bavaria 50 with absolutely NO sailing experience whatsoever. However, the number of times he has had to been rescued even from just outside Chichester harbor is legendary...it's not so much docking that he does, as crashing... Having said that, he has a blast and he hasn't killed anyone.

OTOH, I met a chap in my marina who has recently bought a Hood 50, had a modicum of experience, and was sailing it locally for 18 months before he and wife set off to the Med to retire.

I think one of the issues with a 60' boat is the draft...it is likely to be so deep that there will be many places you simply cannot get into well, and and up moored offshore. Mind you, that includes places that would be very good bolt holes in a blow.

I would posit that the length of the boat is not the issue - there are many other qualities in a boat that have to be weighed. That Hood 50 above was far narrower and cramped than my friend's Bavaria 50, but no question that the Hood is the boat I would want to be offshore in. Conversely, my "little" 32 foot Nicholson is a bluewater boat that I know would last far longer than I would in tough conditions - that's what she was designed for. But for all that, she has but one berth besides the settees.

So...I would not start by thinking about length. I would think very keenly about what type of sailing I wanted to do, and with how many people,and how many of those skilled. And then work up from there...

The Hood 50 was she bought on the East Coast

 

[SailBobSquarePants]

The Hood 50 was she bought on the East Coast

I do believe so....know her? Beautiful boat to my eyes.

 

[SailBobSquarePants]

Just to add...consider very strongly what type of sailing your partner is willing to do. I have a bluewater boat that will stand most things, but my partner hates anything above a Force 6.

Her mother, on the other hand, was a true sailor, and recently recounted her trip around Ibiza in an small sailboat during a hurricane - which she found thrilling and great fun. Everyone's different.

 

[Ross D]

Good luck with the dream, I support the idea of doing a course or two this year to help you decide what type of sailing you want to do and what you should buy. I read somewhere (may even have been on this forum) of a couple who bought a large yacht with zero experience then hired a yachtmaster insructor as crew for 3 months to teach them as much as he could before they continued on their own. Seems like a pretty good way of learning to sail if you have the cash.