Yachtmaster Ocean

[CalmSkipper]

I'm considering doing 'Yachtmaster Ocean Theory' this winter. I'm looking into both classroom based and distance learning options. I'm UK based north of London but can use my boat in the solent for accommodation if its a classroom based course.

I'd be grateful to hear anyones experience/recommendations.

 

[webcraft]

I'm considering doing 'Yachtmaster Ocean Theory' this winter. I'm looking into both classroom based and distance learning options. I'm UK based north of London but can use my boat in the solent for accommodation if its a classroom based course.

I'd be grateful to hear anyones experience/recommendations.

I tried a correspondence course and gave it up half way through. It's very dry unless arithmetic and trigonometry are two of your hobbies. I think classroom based would have been a lot better for me.

- W

 

[Sandy]

Really depends on your 'learning style'. If you can do it by distance learning go for it, but if you need an instructor and classmates go for a classroom.

 

[Skysail]

Classroom worked for me. It did have a lot of arithmetic and table look up, but I think the syllabus is now more oriented to ocean passage planning and less to star sights.

 

[Doug_Stormforce]

This is a course where most people benefit from an Instructor.

The actual sums are quite straight forward but there are quite a few different tables to work through. Having someone looking over your shoulder who can give you little pointers can save a lot of time and heaps of frustration.

The other benefit of a classroom at a good sea school is that you should be able to play with a sextant or two (instead of looking at a picture) and they can show you the many publications, routing charts etc that you will require for ocean passage planning.

If you decide to go for a Solent based course please drop me an email to discuss dates.

 

[dansar]

I did my theory 20 odd years ago but in the classroom with 8 others. There was a lot of basic "+" , "-" and "*" which did get me confused!! but after several weeks I did think about quitting. Persevered and one night it all clicked together and became very enjoyable.

What was rewarding, a couple of years after the course, was taking sun sights, plotting etc while on some longer passages and seeing the results in real life.

Classroom or correspondence course depends on what works for you.

Good Luck.

dansar

 

[Reverend Ludd]

A thing to note is the if you take the exam by post you will not be able to use the certificate gained professionally.
I believe that there is a way of doing the exam in the presence of someone your end who can sign off that you did it without the aid of a computer then it will be ok for commercial use but I'm not certain about that.

 

[jbweston]

I agree about going with your preferred style of learning.

I did it distance learning and found it fine. That way suited me, as I like to do I when I feel like it around other commitments rather than have to keep a regular evening every week. For example did many of the astro exercises during siesta time while on hols in the Algarve.

Some people seem to find the astro difficult, some not. I guess it depends on how your mind works. I am quite 'bookish' as they used to call it.

I did all my Yachtmaster theory by distance learning too and found it quick and relatively painless - did most of the reading while travelling by train to and from London. Of course the written exercises need a flat table and some peace and quiet.

I used Tiller School http://www.tiller.co.uk/ for both Yachtmaser and Ocean Yachtmaster and found their service excellent and materials comprehensive and straightforward if a little old-fashioned in appearance. That was three years ago, so it could be different now. (I've no connection with Tiller just a satisfied customer).

Whichever way you do it I hope you'll find it fun.

 

[onesea]

My vote if you can is night school course, I did my YM and Ocean theory that way. You learn form the others and their mistakes, as well as having a laugh you will have better all round knowledge.

My partner is keen to do the courses, yet to do in class with others is very difficult her job involves large amounts of shift work.

If any one knows a flexible sailing school in Solent Area do speak out!

 

[Skylark]

Did mine as a 1:1 intensive with a retired Master Mariner.

The biggest advantage in working with a real person, IMHO, is that you can ask real questions, sometimes on the "off piste" subjects, too. It's so much more enjoyable to have a meaningful discussion around the subject as a whole. You probably have a million questions about ocean sailing; and old sea dog will tell you a tale, the virtual world can never compete with that.

If you have a science background, you shouldn't have a problem once the proverbial penny has dropped. Maintaining the knowledge and the skill is all about practice.

Be prepared to significantly enhance your library with some great tomes, too. Wonderful things to own and again, can't be compared to e-books and pdf downloads, ergh!

 

[alant]

A thing to note is the if you take the exam by post you will not be able to use the certificate gained professionally.
I believe that there is a way of doing the exam in the presence of someone your end who can sign off that you did it without the aid of a computer then it will be ok for commercial use but I'm not certain about that.

?

 

[alant]

I'm considering doing 'Yachtmaster Ocean Theory' this winter. I'm looking into both classroom based and distance learning options. I'm UK based north of London but can use my boat in the solent for accommodation if its a classroom based course.

I'd be grateful to hear anyones experience/recommendations.

If Doug can't oblige with dates/times to suit, I can do 1-2-1 on your boat if needed.

 

[RobbieW]

A thing to note is the if you take the exam by post you will not be able to use the certificate gained professionally.
I believe that there is a way of doing the exam in the presence of someone your end who can sign off that you did it without the aid of a computer then it will be ok for commercial use but I'm not certain about that.

Unless things have changed in the 5 years since I got YM Ocean, the certificate is awarded following an interview with an examiner. If the examiner has any doubts about your grasp of any part of the syllabus you can expect more detailed questions. The theory certificate is, for most purposes, irrelevant to the issue of the practical certificate so it seems unilkely that it matters how one acquired the theory.

In fact, you can be commercially accredited at the Offshore level which just transfers to Ocean if you go there - that was my experience.

 

[capnsensible]

Unless things have changed in the 5 years since I got YM Ocean, the certificate is awarded following an interview with an examiner. If the examiner has any doubts about your grasp of any part of the syllabus you can expect more detailed questions. The theory certificate is, for most purposes, irrelevant to the issue of the practical certificate so it seems unilkely that it matters how one acquired the theory.

In fact, you can be commercially accredited at the Offshore level which just transfers to Ocean if you go there - that was my experience.

Sorry, not quite correct.

The exam is in two parts. Written and Oral.

However, those who hold an Ocean Theory certificate, an RN Ocean navigation certificate or an MCA certificate of competence as a deck officer are exempt from the written part.

Its all in the RYA logbook G15/07.

 

[maxi77]

My vote would be for a nightschool class. I did it many years ago to convert from RN astro to the rapid/air astro more appropriate to yachts. There was a good mix of experience in the class which does tend to give you the chance to learn more than by a distance learning or 1to1 type course.

 

[jonnybuoy]

Did mine as a 1:1 intensive with a retired Master Mariner.

David - how did you find someone to do it 1:1 with? Like others I tried distance learning and gave up 2/3rds through (motivation wanes on a longish course without a classroom, for me anyway). Work(travel) and family also make committing to eg a 1 night a week class difficult.

Jon.

 

[alant]

David - how did you find someone to do it 1:1 with? Like others I tried distance learning and gave up 2/3rds through (motivation wanes on a longish course without a classroom, for me anyway). Work(travel) and family also make committing to eg a 1 night a week class difficult.

Jon.

Please sir, please sir!!

 

[Skylark]

David - how did you find someone to do it 1:1 with? Like others I tried distance learning and gave up 2/3rds through (motivation wanes on a longish course without a classroom, for me anyway). Work(travel) and family also make committing to eg a 1 night a week class difficult.

Jon.

Jon, in retirement, he registered as a RYA Shored based teaching establishment. Fortunately for me, he chose to retire in the well known coastal port of Cheshire

Looks like there are plenty of offers around your region from forum, independant salty sea dogs. I can only offer my encouragement for you to complete the course.

Good luck to all who plan YM Ocean theory as their New Year's resolution. For me, YM Offshore practical was a fairly (self imposed) stressful experience. The YM Ocean oral (once you've met the full assement criteria) was entirely opposite and was a most enjoyable experience.

 

[SurreySailing]

Hi Kevan

Might not be too much help as we're south of London not North, but we are planning an eight evening and one weekend yachtmaster ocean course, which gives the advantage of classroom but more time than the intensive variety.

Let me know if Surrey works for you as a venue.... if not all the best with it and your subsequent adventures.

Best wishes

Chris

 

[alant]

Hi Kevan

Might not be too much help as we're south of London not North, but we are planning an eight evening and one weekend yachtmaster ocean course, which gives the advantage of classroom but more time than the intensive variety.

Let me know if Surrey works for you as a venue.... if not all the best with it and your subsequent adventures.

Best wishes

Chris

Can you pack 40 hrs into that period?