Which qualification?

[Neil_M]

With all the recent posts on RYA & YM it may not be the best time to start another related thread (also my first post here) but here goes...

I'm considering taking the YM but would appreciate some advice on whether it would be appropriate to my experience & needs.

Quick resume is that I've sailed for 30+ years, ex competitive dinghy racer & tutor plus around 4,000 miles skippering yachts, half of it 20 years ago, including some night passages & a N Sea crossing as crew and the balance having returned to family cruising with our own 30 footer around Essex & Suffolk coast over the past 2 seasons.

Boat handling is therefore v good (I think...) but some aspects of nav & regs are rusty or a bit out of date.

Plans for the future are mainly local weekend trips with the family, with an occassional longer passage over to Holland/Belgium/France subject to SWMBO's approval.

My primary objective is to increase my own safety, competence & confidence in navigating offshore & secondarily to acquire the 'proof' (ICC) of same which may be needed should we go foreign.

Should I go straight into the YM, bearing in mind all the views expressed here of late, or opt for Coastal Skipper first? Views & experiences on usefulness of courses & practicals welcomed!

 

[bedouin]

Sounds as though you'll find the most benefit from the shorebased course, which is the same for both coastal and YM - and is a necessary precursor to the practical.

Once that is done, it is up to you whether you bother with the practical exam. Unless you are going to be a professional there is no real benefit in doing so, but it does give you a sense of achievement, and an externally verified statement of your abilities.

On the practical side I can't really see the point of the Coastal. If you've got the miles (in the last 10 years IIRC) then you might as well go straight to YM

 

[Guest]

The icc test is fairly noddy, and if you want that for sailing abroad (the RYA tell different stories on different occasions as to whether it is needed in EC coastal waters. I have never been asked for mine) then just go for that on its own.

The YM is different. If you want a qualification for flotilla skippering for example, then the paper is important. For most of us, it is the learning that matters and even after all your experience, I am sure you will learn something worthwhile from a practical YM course.

If all you want is nav and colregs, then the nightschool course will do it. In fact, you could do that from a book at home.

 

[Neil_M]

thanks for the insights & advice on this - agree there is always plenty worth learning - books are on the Xmas list & I'll have a chat with the local training firm.

 

[david_bagshaw]

inmho go for the YM, you sound to have loads of practical experiance.

Have never been asked have we got it ..... but when abroad & customs board for an inspection, it is lovely to know it is in the folder.

Incidently the first thing they notice seems to be the radio disc these days.

David
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