Carling
Active Member
Is there any point in doing CS before YM? They both appear to be taught at the same time, is there a difference other than the criteria to start the course?
Coastal skipper vs Yachtmaster?
- Thread starter Carling
- Start date
starfire
Well-Known Member
An instructor of mine when asked the same question said:-
A CS is a consolation prize for a (only just) failed YM.
A CS is a consolation prize for a (only just) failed YM.
Richard10002
Well-Known Member
The impression I got was that Coastal Skipper covers more or less the same ground, but you have to be that bit better to get the YM.
The other impression I got was that the standard for day Skipper course completion is not very high.
I guess if you think you are comfortably going to get CS, go for YM, and make it a bit more of a challenge.
The other impression I got was that the standard for day Skipper course completion is not very high.
I guess if you think you are comfortably going to get CS, go for YM, and make it a bit more of a challenge.
KenMcCulloch
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
An instructor of mine when asked the same question said:-
A CS is a consolation prize for a (only just) failed YM.
[/ QUOTE ]
I think that's probably bollox, the experience requirements for CS are quite a bit less but the expectations in terms of basic skills are pretty similar. There are some things you don't have to do for CS most notably blind nav (I assume that's still part of the exam) but for example if you can't recover an MoB promptly you won't pass at either level.
I would say it depends why you want to do it. If it's just for the satisfaction of improving your skills then do both; the CS exam should be a really positive learning experience that will help you pass your YM a year or two later. Don't for a moment believe that passing at either level makes you invincible though.
An instructor of mine when asked the same question said:-
A CS is a consolation prize for a (only just) failed YM.
[/ QUOTE ]
I think that's probably bollox, the experience requirements for CS are quite a bit less but the expectations in terms of basic skills are pretty similar. There are some things you don't have to do for CS most notably blind nav (I assume that's still part of the exam) but for example if you can't recover an MoB promptly you won't pass at either level.
I would say it depends why you want to do it. If it's just for the satisfaction of improving your skills then do both; the CS exam should be a really positive learning experience that will help you pass your YM a year or two later. Don't for a moment believe that passing at either level makes you invincible though.
alan_d
Well-Known Member
Depends whether you are talking about theory or practical.
Shore-based theory course is the same for both.
I went for CS rather than YM practical because I did not have the sea-miles and qualifying passages for the latter. The boat I was on for the course and the exam had both CS and YM candidates and more seemed to be expected of, and delivered by, the YM. We all passed.
Alan
Shore-based theory course is the same for both.
I went for CS rather than YM practical because I did not have the sea-miles and qualifying passages for the latter. The boat I was on for the course and the exam had both CS and YM candidates and more seemed to be expected of, and delivered by, the YM. We all passed.
Alan
Jonny_H
Well-Known Member
My (personal) opinion here is that for the theory - go for YM. It covers pretty much the same as CS and then some more on top. In my experience if you are struggling with some 'assumed' knowledge that you would have got had you done CS then the instructor will help you.
For the practical - thats up to you. I did the theory to learn the lights / col regs / chart work etc (by going to night school it forces you to learn it rather than just buying the text book to read 'when you have time'!). By the time I had clocked up the miles for the practical I didn't see the advantage to taking the exam - it was just a piece of paper to prove what I already could do - I didn't feel I would gain by doing it.
Again, very personal opinion here - I am not doubting the YM practical is a great exam and highly regarded.
Jonny
[Ducks and runs for cover]
For the practical - thats up to you. I did the theory to learn the lights / col regs / chart work etc (by going to night school it forces you to learn it rather than just buying the text book to read 'when you have time'!). By the time I had clocked up the miles for the practical I didn't see the advantage to taking the exam - it was just a piece of paper to prove what I already could do - I didn't feel I would gain by doing it.
Again, very personal opinion here - I am not doubting the YM practical is a great exam and highly regarded.
Jonny
[Ducks and runs for cover]
Richard10002
Well-Known Member
[quoteThere are some things you don't have to do for CS most notably blind nav (I assume that's still part of the exam)
[/ QUOTE ]
What exactly is blind nav.? Not sure if I did it or not, (June '07).
[/ QUOTE ]
What exactly is blind nav.? Not sure if I did it or not, (June '07).
Talbot
Well-Known Member
blind nav is navigating the vessel without visual reference and without use of gps and presumably radar. A hint - look for a suitable depth contour and use that combined with decent EPs worked out from tide and leeway, and it should be a dodle.
alant
Well-Known Member
"My (personal) opinion here is that for the theory - go for YM. It covers pretty much the same as CS and then some more on top"
Rubbish, its exactly the same course!
Rubbish, its exactly the same course!
elettra
New Member
I agree with many of the other comments - you need to think what want out of it. My opinion is get on the water and put the theory into practice. In my experience the major difference for the YM to the CS is exactly what it is intended for i.e. preparing and undertaking longer passages that maybe are out of sight of land etc.
Jonny_H
Well-Known Member
Are you sure - I thought the YM did more detail on weather charts etc? It may be different now as 9 years since I did mine.
Sorry if its changed
Jonny
Sorry if its changed
Jonny
capnsensible
Well-Known Member
Get yer logbooks out men. RYA publication G15 04 will do.
The Coastal Skipper has the knowledge to skipper a yacht on coastal cruises but does not necessarily have the experience needed to undertake longer pasages.
The Yachtmaster Offshore is competent toskipper a cruising yacht on any passage during which the yacht is no more than 150 miles from harbour.
Thats the standard you will be examined to and why the qualifying miles and passages are upped for Offshore candidates.
Don't forget your VHF and First Aid training proof!!
Hope this helps.
The Coastal Skipper has the knowledge to skipper a yacht on coastal cruises but does not necessarily have the experience needed to undertake longer pasages.
The Yachtmaster Offshore is competent toskipper a cruising yacht on any passage during which the yacht is no more than 150 miles from harbour.
Thats the standard you will be examined to and why the qualifying miles and passages are upped for Offshore candidates.
Don't forget your VHF and First Aid training proof!!
Hope this helps.
S
Skyva_2
Guest
As far as I know the CS/YM theory has always been combined.
"An advanced course ideal for candidates for the Coastal Skipper practical course and Yachtmaster® Offshore exam. As well as having some provision for revising the Day Skipper shorebased course it covers more advanced skills in offshore and coastal navigation by day and night, pilotage and meteorology."
There is precious little time for revising the Day Skipper shorebased, and I would add a lot more time on 'passage planning' and 'passage making'. Plus the 'Secondary Ports'!
"An advanced course ideal for candidates for the Coastal Skipper practical course and Yachtmaster® Offshore exam. As well as having some provision for revising the Day Skipper shorebased course it covers more advanced skills in offshore and coastal navigation by day and night, pilotage and meteorology."
There is precious little time for revising the Day Skipper shorebased, and I would add a lot more time on 'passage planning' and 'passage making'. Plus the 'Secondary Ports'!
Jonny_H
Well-Known Member
My apologies then - I thought they were seperate and the YM had a larger syllabus (Probably getting confused with CS and DS - been a long day!!). Incidentally - I think the 'revising DS topics' depends on your course / tutor. The course I took only had 5 people on and the tutor was very willing to spend an extra half hour after the classes to help people and set extra homework to help them out - very useful.
Jonny
Jonny
Richard10002
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
blind nav is navigating the vessel without visual reference and without use of gps and presumably radar. A hint - look for a suitable depth contour and use that combined with decent EPs worked out from tide and leeway, and it should be a dodle.
[/ QUOTE ]
Didnt do blind nav during the exam, but might have discussed it during the day... it was certainly mentioned by the instructor during the prep. week.
blind nav is navigating the vessel without visual reference and without use of gps and presumably radar. A hint - look for a suitable depth contour and use that combined with decent EPs worked out from tide and leeway, and it should be a dodle.
[/ QUOTE ]
Didnt do blind nav during the exam, but might have discussed it during the day... it was certainly mentioned by the instructor during the prep. week.
capnsensible
Well-Known Member
Comes under the heading 'Navigation and General Conduct in restricted visibility'. Not always tested during exams but should be thoroghly practised in coastal practical course and exam preparation time.
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liverpool
Well-Known Member
IMHO it depends on level of your experience AS A SKIPPER (rather than just mileage). If relatively inexperienced then I would say the courses are generally excellent for learning/experience building and therefore do CS then later with more experience go for YM. Good luck!
ex-Gladys
Well-Known Member
I have been fairly disdainful of the RYA training system. I learnt to sail hundreds of years ago in the 60's when masts were still wood and there were new things called "terylene" sails, and spent most of my life sailing dinghies and small cats with a few forays into larger boats crewing and chartering. Having bought a cruiser in 2003 I thought this year I would dip my toe in the RYA pool, and decided to do a practical first to assess my level. Went with East Anglia Sea School who were very flexible and said they would fit me to the appropriate qualification level.
The mains thing for me was how good the week was. It was a mixed experience crew, one YM candidate, me and two DS candidates and the joint learning environment was brilliant. The areas where (not surprisingly) I was fine were boat handling, sail handling and trimming ( taught the YM a thing or two!) and practical navigation. The areas I need to improve (in my opinion) are the "book learning" stuff like lights and the more esoteric col regs.
It ahs enthused me to want to do the theory stuff now and that is this winter's "project".
Do I want to be a YM? Not sure. The pre-reqs will take a while to build up, but at least I now know my benchmark.
The mains thing for me was how good the week was. It was a mixed experience crew, one YM candidate, me and two DS candidates and the joint learning environment was brilliant. The areas where (not surprisingly) I was fine were boat handling, sail handling and trimming ( taught the YM a thing or two!) and practical navigation. The areas I need to improve (in my opinion) are the "book learning" stuff like lights and the more esoteric col regs.
It ahs enthused me to want to do the theory stuff now and that is this winter's "project".
Do I want to be a YM? Not sure. The pre-reqs will take a while to build up, but at least I now know my benchmark.
Davy_S
Well-Known Member
When I did the Yachtmaster theory course it was different than the Coastal theory course and cost more, have things changed?
flaming
Well-Known Member
I am one of the seemingly rare breed who has done both!
I did Coastal skipper when I was 18, and I don't think I would have been capable of passing YM at that point. CS was about the level I was at, and it enabled me to do the things I wanted to do, especially regarding chartering yachts to take uni dinghy sailors yachting.
Then once I'd finished uni I decided to "upgrade" to a YM. And I think the experience of sailing to an exam before really helped me, especially in terms of not panicking at the first small mistake.
I did Coastal skipper when I was 18, and I don't think I would have been capable of passing YM at that point. CS was about the level I was at, and it enabled me to do the things I wanted to do, especially regarding chartering yachts to take uni dinghy sailors yachting.
Then once I'd finished uni I decided to "upgrade" to a YM. And I think the experience of sailing to an exam before really helped me, especially in terms of not panicking at the first small mistake.
