Yachtmaster Coastal Practical - should I do it?

[kashurst]

Toying with doing my Yachtmaster Coastal (Power) exam but RYA web site not completely clear
To do the coastal Yachtmaster (power) do I need a short wave radio cert or is a VHF enough?
Do I need to do the Yachtmaster theory exam first? (probably a good idea to brush up on tides etc).
So far I am up to Coastal Skipper (Sail) and have enough hours, miles etc, but I'm not sure if it's worth doing except for personal satisfaction. Coastal skipper seems OK for chartering and I don't want to do commercial work and I have no intention of sailing across the atlantic.
Should I overcome my laziness and hit the books again

 

[SteveSarabande]

Yacht master theory is the same as the coastal theory you should have done before your coastal practical.

You need VHF licence and RYA first aid

 

[oGaryo]

Not sure on the requirements for the course but in terms of doing it, I'd say for sure as it'll get shot of the back of the mind niggle if nothing else. I am doung the Advanced Powerboat course at the end of next month and doing the RYA first aid course this Saturday to give me the prereqs (already have dazed kipper and VHF). In Banana Wharf at the moment with the books out whilst eating pudding washed down with a pint

 

[oceanfroggie]

Toying with doing my Yachtmaster Coastal (Power) exam but RYA web site not completely clear
To do the coastal Yachtmaster (power) do I need a short wave radio cert or is a VHF enough?
Do I need to do the Yachtmaster theory exam first? (probably a good idea to brush up on tides etc).
So far I am up to Coastal Skipper (Sail) and have enough hours, miles etc, but I'm not sure if it's worth doing except for personal satisfaction. Coastal skipper seems OK for chartering and I don't want to do commercial work and I have no intention of sailing across the atlantic.
Should I overcome my laziness and hit the books again

All you need is the milage, VHF + First aid certs to apply for the exam. If you have a course attendance cert for theory you get a reduction in the milage required. Personally I think they are worth doing for leisure sailors for personal satisfaction, enjoyment and brushing up on some areas. After that it's just a worthless piece of paper with no statutory remit. Leaving that aside its fun to go through the process of attaining what is basically a hobby accreditation.

 

[Griffin Marine]

All you need is the milage, VHF + First aid certs to apply for the exam. If you have a course attendance cert for theory you get a reduction in the milage required. .

Not quite correct




Yachtmaster™ Coastal exam pre-requisites

Minimum seatime 30 days, 2 days as skipper, 800 miles, 12 night hours (if you hold the Coastal Skipper course certificate this is reduced to 20 days, 2 days as skipper, 400 miles, 12 night hours). Half the qualifying sea time must be conducted in tidal waters.
Form of exam Practical
Certification required A GMDSS Short Range Certificate (SRC) or higher grade of marine radio certificate. A valid first aid certificate - click here for a list of acceptable first aid certificates
Minimum exam duration 6-10 hours for 1 candidate, 8-14 hours for 2 candidates
Minimum age 17



The boat used must be between 7m (23ft) and 24m (78ft) LOA and be in sound, seaworthy condition, equipped to the standard set out in the RYA book Cruising Yacht Safety (code C8). The boat must be equipped with a full up to date set of charts and navigational publications and be efficiently crewed, as the examiner will not take part in the management of the boat during the exam.

Before you book your exam please check that you:
1.can provide a boat
2.have completed the required mileage and experience as skipper
3.hold a VHF Radio Operators License or Short Range Certificate
4.hold a valid first aid certificate click here for a list of acceptable first aid certificates have read the syllabus in RYA publications; G15 (sail) or G18 (power)
http://www.rya.org.uk/coursestraining/exams/Pages/default.aspx


Either way if you want the the extra knowledge /confidence tick in the box its a great course if you want to do commercial charter work 20 miles from a safe haven its a must.
Have fun
Tim