Yachtmaster school

[Albatross79]

Hi,

I am new to sailing but want to spend time studying for my Yachtmaster Ocean so that I can qualify to work on boat deliveries and eventually skipper yachts. As a newcomer and an outsider to sailing though, I am finding it very hard to work out which of the training schools are good. So far I have spoken to Global Yacht Training and UKSA about various programmes they offer. My questions are:-

Does anyone have any experience of these companies and what was it?

Can anyone recommend what I should look out for in a school and what to avoid?

Can anyone recommend any schools?

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[CPD]

Welcome to the forum !

I did comp crew and Day skipper practicals at www.pembrokeshirecruising.co.uk

Ask for Roland. Highly recommended.

 

[Allan]

Sorry I can't help with recommendation etc. I read a good point on here recently which I thought made sense. A lot of schools like the one you mention offer fast track solutions to qualifications. Along with others on here I believe that the only way to learn to sail, is to sail. Whatever you decide to do, get as much sailing experience as you can. It will not only improve your sailing but will give you an idea of whether you want to spend long periods onboard. It may save you a lot of money in the future.There are lots of people looking for crew if you are prepared to put yourself out a little.
Good luck with your plans, I wish I had done that when I was young!
Allan

 

[flaming]

other schools to look at are hamble school of yachting and flying fish.

Ocean is a very "advanced" qualification, to get a job skippering a boat you don't need ocean, you need a comercially endorsed Yachmaster offshore. (technically you can get a coastal skipper endorsed, but you'll find it very difficult getting a job with only a coastal ticket)

As an outsider to sailing I'm guessing you're attracted to the 17 week courses, the so called "zero to hero" courses.
These courses attract a lot of negative press, and I don't doubt that the naysayers will be along shortly to tell you your qualification will be worth nothing without experience etc.
And, to a point, they are right! I used to work as a skipper in a large charter operation, and the skippers straight out of the zero to hero courses were definitely weaker than than the ones who learnt to sail gradually over a number of years.
However, then it came down to attitude, some of them were very arrogant and assumed they knew it all. They didn't last long. Most of the less experienced guys were constantly asking questions on little details of the old timers.

In terms of what to look for in the schools, I would look at the time spent on the water. The more time you spend sailing, in as many conditions as possible, the better you will be at the end of it!

Good luck!

 

[TiggerToo]

THese gave me a very good impression when I was looking around like you:
BOSS

 

[Richard10002]

I did my first RYA sailing qualification in June this year. Yachtmaster Theory and practical after 30 years+ of sailing.

Whilst I was reasonably competent before the prep. and exam/s, I learnt tons that I kind of knew, but didnt really, lots of new techniques, and lots of stuff I didnt know.

With this in mind, I think that if you treat the zero to hero in 14 weeks courses for what they are, they are probably worth doing ... as long as you know you like sailing etc..

Once done, all of those new experiences and challenges should trigger a memory of how it was done on the course/s, rather than flying by the seat of your pants.

As far as work goes, it's probably like everything... experience is everything. It would probably be good to get the Yachtmaster and then do some of the delivery trips where you crew for free, (expenses paid), with a paid skipper, and get as involved as possible with the management of the trip, and get references.

Armed with a bundle of these, perhaps with the same delivery company so their skippers can comment on your ability, and you might become a safe pair of hands when they are short of a regular skipper.... and so you progress.

 

[mandlmaunder]

Lots of schools offer the 'zero to hero ' 17 weeks or more, if you want to get started in the Yachty world it is not a bad plan .
Look for a school that can offer some sort of placement scheme at end .Or will help you with contacts in the industry.
These courses Do Not Teach Everything , but they do teach you an awful lot, wot they dont teach pretty much cant be taught only experienced.
Good luck on you quest for knowledge young paduan.
Contact RYA for details of schools in your area, I did and had a blast .

From SWMBO: did the two courses separately, you can do the Theory part at night school, probably somewhere near you.
It's now 11 years later and stil learning new things......

 

[alant]

UKSA are primarily aiming to satisfy the Superyacht market.
Can be excellent training, as long as you put effort in (like most things). YM Ocean is the 'basic qualification they will sell you, going onto STCW 95 stuff & above. Some of the other 'sailing schools' offering 'Bluewater Fast Track' will perhaps get you a qualification, but their training may be farmed out & they simply don't have the infrastructure for proper 'professional' stuff. You'll get a YM Offshore, but not much else. Look at the content of the courses offered before you part with money - visit them, UKSA for example, will be happy to show you around. Don't just go for lowest cost!

However, as has been already stated, you will NOT automatically walk into a job with paper qualifications, experience is necessary. For deliveries, you need to get some good experience (not with Reliance), before anyone will trust you with an expensive yacht. Talk to PYD up in Cumbria.

Also have a look at Bluewater Academy in Antibes - they don't do the basic courses, but you'll get some idea what the career programme is.

 

[PeterGibbs]

A big welcome to the great world of sailing!

Lots of good advice here. May I add a perspective?

There are theoretical basics you need to know - navigation, passage planning, sail mechanics in particluar that can be mastered more quickly on a distance learning course, if you really want to get up to speed.
Classes give comfort of course, but RYA class courses are required to serve a minimum time frame, and you have to proceed at the speed of the slowest.

Completing the RYA Yachtmaster Theoretical is a gold standard and a must. It gives you a compass for what has to be learned. Doing the lower order RYA courses could be a lot less useful to you, once you have the basics. The Ocean theoretical qual is useful but not necessarily valuable for your purposes.

(I am not disparaging the excellent work of the RYA - just applying their offerings to your particular circumstances)

Thereafter, the bulk (maybe 80%+) of your application should be on someone's boat, asking, watching, learning the hands-on way, rooting out the good practices from the less sound. Delivery skippers are by definition great practical warhorses of the sea - I strongly endorse getting on boats with these guys for intense, valuable experience that will be recognised for its value in your chosen career. Club outings are not in the same category, but the more demanding on-water courses can add value.

How long will it take until you are not only comfortable in your profession but competent to answer the critical maritime qustions we all face from time to time? When not to set sail, when not to take on a tidal gate, how to assess the strength of your crew and whether it is holding up to the conditions, when turning back is the most seamanlike solution, when to abort a plan and go for shelter, how to ride out a gale and many more..These only come with facing the situations and learning how the decision was taken and with what consequences - several intense seasons, I would guess, for what you have in mind.

It's the practical experience that counts. Skippers will tell you they know immediately a newcomer takes the wheel whether they have reached that level of skill and confidence. It's true.

Good luck.

PWG

 

[jonathankent]

I can highly reccomend Performance Yachting down here in Plymouth. I've done Comp Crew, and both DS theory & practical... a very good school with plenty of experience - Bob was a skipper for the Clipper Round the World Race and he and his wife have both completed many Atlantic races.

Bob Beggs (owner) 01752 565023