rya yachtmaster instructor course

Cruising instructor (sail)

Who is it for.

The RYA Cruising Instructor course is the first step if you would like to teach RYA sailing courses. The certificate will allow you to teach RYA Day Skipper and Competent Crew courses.

Pre-requirements (RYA Cruising Instructor)

– Minimum age: 18 years old – Yachtmaster Offshore (or Ocean) certificate, with Commercial Endorsement – Online PPR (Professional Practices and Responsibilities) course certificate – RYA Basic Sea Survival certificate or STCW Personal Survival Techniques – Valid First Aid Certificate – RYA membership – In-date Medical Certificate (ENG1) – not older than 2 years – Pre-course knowledge check (online course prior to attending the instructor course).

Please click HERE to download a document to guide you to obtain the commercial endorsement and the commercial endorsement application form

What do you get?

The objective is to provide you with a number of teaching techniques to enable you to deliver the lessons effectively, and in a constructive and motivating manner. You will learn about the ‘Praise burger’ and the EDICTS system to teach practical skills and provide appropriate feedback. After the four days of preparation, you will:

– have learned a number of teaching techniques

– have practiced and refined the way you provide clear, positive, and constructive feedback to the students

– have seen your peers in action, and learned various styles to deliver a lesson

– feel confident to start teaching RYA sailing courses

How to book

Scroll the list of the courses in the box to the right (desktop) or at the bottom (mobile) of the page, choose the date that suits you, and click on it to start the booking process. If no courses are shown, please give us a call at +43 664 88360842 or send us an email at [email protected] , so we can discuss how we can help

Program – RYA Cruising Instructor

After you sign up and pay, you will receive from us the joining instructions and the login credentials to access the pre-course online check. Candidates are required to pass an online pre-course module prior to being eligible to attend the course. We will spend four days learning various techniques to teach effectively, provide clear and fair feedback and motivate students to improve further or address their gaps. You will take turns and play the role of the teacher or the student, thus practicing the arts of observation, listening, providing feedback, etc. All of the above whilst performing the various sailing maneuvers and theory notions included in the Competent Crew and Day Skipper syllabus and perfecting your way of delivering them.

With a  maximum of 4 candidates per yacht, your instructor can devote plenty of time to your needs and focus the program on the areas you need most.

You will spend four days with your instructor, learning, practicing, and perfecting various techniques of teaching. On day five you will be joined by an RYA ‘moderator’ whose task is to evaluate your suitability to be an Instructor.

What’s included and what is not:

Included: 

• 5 full days of tuition from an RYA qualified Cruising instructor Instructor
• Accommodation in a shared cabin onboard a modern yacht
• Instructor and Moderator travel and accommodation costs
• RYA Yachtmaster Scheme Logbook and Instructor Scheme book
• Linens & towels and final boat cleaning
• Free Wi-Fi onboard!
• Marina fees at home port
• Food and drinks (also for the instructor and moderator)
• Marina / anchorage fees outside of home port
• Diesel and Croatian tourist tax (approx 20 Euro p/p)
• Travel to/from Primosten

Location & time

Start: Monday at 9:00 End: Friday at 17:00

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Marina Kremik, Primosten (HR) is conveniently located only 30 min drive from Split International Airport.

The course starts on Monday morning at 9.00 am. You are more than welcome to arrive the night before (Sunday) and sleep onboard. Once you arrive, you will settle in your cabin and then go with the other participants to provision the boat for the week.

The course ends on Friday afternoon at around 17:00, but you are welcome to stay onboard until the Saturday morning at 9:00 .

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RYA Practical Courses

Take a look at the RYA practical sailing courses we offer, from beginner to expert we have sailing courses that will appeal to everyone!

Learn to sail in the vibrant and exciting Solent with the RYA Start Yachting for newcomers looking for a taste of what Yachting has to offer, or how about the RYA Competent Crew course for those wanting to gain valuable hands-on experience. For those thinking more advanced, the RYA Day Skipper theory and practical courses are for those wanting that all-important driving licence for the sea, all the way up to RYA Yachtmaster and RYA Cruising Instructor courses for those wanting to go professional!

NEW – Finance now avalible on all courses, spread the cost of sailing throught out the year.

RYA Start Yachting

The RYA Start Yachting practical sailing Course is a gentle yet exciting and informative two day introduction in learning to sail for complete beginners with no prior experience to the world of sailing.

Take a look at our live course calendar  for dates for the RYA Start Yachting course!

RYA Competent Crew

The perfect introduction to yachting, the five day RYA Competent Crew practical sailing course will give you the best building blocks to kick-off your sailing adventure from!

Take a look at our live course calendar  for dates for the RYA Competent Crew course!

RYA Day Skipper Practical

The RYA Day Skipper Course runs over five days and brings students with at least the RYA Competent Crew qualification and some sailing experience, up to skipper level.

Take a look at our live course calendar  for dates for the RYA Day Skipper Practical course!

RYA Day Skipper Combination

The RYA Day Skipper Combination Course (Theory & Practical) runs over nine days and brings students with at least the RYA Competent Crew qualification and some sailing experience, up to skipper level with both theory and practical courses undertaken. Includes FREE accommodation for theory element of the course.

Take a look at our live course calendar  for dates for the RYA Day Skipper Combination course!

RYA Coastal Skipper Practical

The RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course is the next progression step from being a qualified RYA Day skipper. With advanced skills being taught and the planning and executing of much longer passages, it’s the next natural step-up from the RYA Day Skipper course.

Take a look at our live course calendar  for dates for the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course!

RYA Yachtmaster™ Fast Track

The RYA/MCA Yachtmaster™ Fast Track course takes you from limited or zero sailing experience all the way up to a fully qualified RYA/MCA Yachtmaster™ , with all the required practical, theory courses, mile-building and sailing experience you’ll need to help get you qualified*.

Developed by some of the best RYA Yachtmaster Instructors and world-leading Marine industry experts, our Yachtmaster Fast Track scheme is far more comprehensive and better value than the competition – Compare what we offer against others!

Why go elsewhere? Book your place on our next RYA/MCA Yachtmaster™ Fast Track course!

RYA/MCA Yachtmaster™ Coastal/Offshore Preparation Week

The RYA Yachtmaster™ Coastal/Offshore qualification is the next progression step from being a qualified RYA Day/Coastal skipper, and is one of the most useful, credible, and accepted profressional qualifications in Yachting.

Take a look at our live course calendar  for dates for the RYA Yachtmaster™ Coastal/Offshore Preparation week!

RYA Day Skipper “Skills Weekend”

The Day Skipper Skills Weekend Course aims to help students who have not yet passed their RYA Day Skipper practical course and have a small action plan to achieve the qualification. It’s also a great refresher course for qualified sailors looking to hone and polish skills.

Take a look at our live course calendar  for dates for the Day Skipper Skills Weekend Practical course!

RYA Yachtmaster “Skills Weekend”

The Yachtmaster Skills Weekend helps students who have not yet passed their RYA Yachtmaster exam, RYA Coastal Skipper course or those wanting to refresh skills before undertaking the RYA Cruising Instructor course. It’s also a great refresher course for qualified sailors.

Take a look at our live course calendar  for dates for the Yachtmaster Skills Weekend Practical course!

RYA Cruising Instructor

The RYA Cruising Instructor practical sailing Course is a designed for RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore qualified sailors to enhance their career and gain the much coveted RYA Cruising Instructor qualification, and begin your Instructing career.

Take a look at our live course calendar  for dates for the RYA Cruising Instructor course!

Live Course Calendar

Bespoke events, customer reviews.

Excellent RYA First Aid course. The instructor, Tom, certainly knew his stuff. The course was a positive learning experience made interesting by detailed explanation and hands on practice sessions. If you want to learn an extremely useful skill I thoroughly recommend this course.

We've chartered on several occasions and the yachts have always been great. We recently did a days boat handling refresher. Commodore maintained social distancing and protocols without making the day awkward or any less value. Just wish the weather had been better for July!

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RYA Cruising Instructor (Sail)

Product code:.

The five day RYA Cruising Instructors course and assessment is aimed at qualified RYA Yachtmasters who wish to teach the  RYA Competent Crew  and  RYA Day Skipper practical  courses. Based on our extensive experience, the RYA Cruising Instructor course includes instructional techniques, safety, familiarisation with the relevant syllabuses and how to effectively construct the practical Competent Crew and Day Skipper courses. It is assumed that your personal skills are at a reasonable standard although some time is also set aside for developing your personal skills.

The Cruising Instructor qualification is taught and assessed by a BOSS Cruising Instructor trainer and a 2nd  RYA trainer will also be on board on the final day of the course to assess your suitability. Our RYA CI Trainers are very experienced yachtsmen who can also draw on years of professional teaching experience to deliver a rewarding and challenging syllabus.

Applicants for the Cruising Instructor course must hold a RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competency with commercial enendorsement. The successful Cruising Instructor candidate will be expected to give convincing demonstrations of any part of the RYA Competent Crew and RYA Day Skipper syllabus and this includes: Knots, sail-handling, man overboard, mooring, pilotage by day and night, IRPCS, basic meteorology, navigation and skippering.

Cruising Instructor candidates who reach the required standard will be awarded the RYA Cruising Instructor endorsement which is valid for 5 years. After this time, cruising instructors must either re-take the Cruising Instructor course or pass the Yachtmaster Instructor’s Assessment. Candidates are advised to familiarise themselves with a current RYA G158 - the Cruising Logbook.

When you enrol onto the Cruising Instructor course you will be set up with an RYA Interactive profile. As part of this process some of your personal information will be passed to the RYA . Details of what personal data and how it may be used by the RYA can be found by following this link to the  RYA Interactive online course booking information  page.

"As well as learning all about how to teach the RYA Competent Crew and Day Skipper courses my own skills came on loads during the week. Our Instructor Ghuru Pete was superb and explained everything brilliantly." Tim  - Worthing, West Sussex

ENQUIRE ABOUT THIS COURSE

RYA Cruising Instructor - Course Structure

The RYA Cruising Instructor course covers; Instructional techniques, the syllabus and how to construct an effective course, safety, and personal skills both practical and in handling customers. We also look at how to guarantee being offered more work by schools.

The RYA Cruising Instructor qualification is valid for 5 years. After 5 years, cruising instructors must have passed the Yachtmaster Instructor’s Qualification, or re-take the Cruising Instructor course. This qualification is the minimum requirement for anyone wishing to teach yachting, and qualified RYA Cruising Instructors can teach up to and including the RYA Day Skipper practical course. Minimum standard for entry to course is Yachtmaster Offshore. However, Cruising Instructor candidates must also have a commercial endorsement before they can teach in a commercial environment.

It is recommended that Cruising Instructor candidates have passed the medical requirements for a commercial endorsement before attending this course. The maximum age for cruising instructors is 64 years.

The successful Cruising Instructor candidate will be expected to give convincing demonstrations of any part of the RYA Competent Crew and RYA Day Skipper syllabus, including: Knots, sail-handling, man overboard, mooring, pilotage by day and night, IRPCS, basic meteorology, navigation and skippering.

Candidates who reach the required standard may be given the opportunity to gain real teaching experience by running a weekend course at BOSS. This teaching will be preceded by a briefing and followed by an extensive debriefing with suggestions for improvement.

Cruising Instructor Pre-course preparation

Be familiar with the current RYA Cruising Logbook, G158. Weather at Sea by David Houghton, and the International Regulations for the prevention of Collisions at Sea. The cost of the course includes training and assessment.

Availability and Booking

Step 1 select your course duration, this course is available in the following durations.

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Step 2 Select your dates

Your 5 days rya cruising instructor (sail).

Please select the start date

Select your start date

Step 3 add participant(s), please select your course duration, 5 days rya cruising instructor (sail).

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Coastal / Offshore

RYA Yachtmaster

Online Theory Course

A challenging course which stretches you but backed up with excellent coaching and instructor support.

Advanced training for more experienced skippers to navigate safely on coastal and offshore passages

The RYA Yachtmaster  online theory course takes your theory knowledge to the standard required for the Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams.

This course advances your skills as a skipper of a yacht or motor boat, with an emphasis on navigation and passage planning for more complex coastal or offshore passages by day and night

Includes some time for the revision of Day Skipper subjects then moves on to cover a greater depth of knowledge and more advanced skills in navigation, pilotage & meteorology.

Successfully gaining your RYA Yachtmaster theory certificate will enable you to confidently work towards your Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore practical qualification.

• Assumed knowledge To Day Skipper theory level.
• Minimum duration A minimum of 40 hours of course study time is specified by the RYA, plus time for exercises and exams.
• Ability after course Theory knowledge to skipper a vessel on coastal and offshore passages by day and night.  

Simply click below to try a free lesson.

Pilotage for RYA Yachtmaster Offshore

• Charts & Other Publications
• Definition of Position, Time, Speed & Distance
• The Compass (including allowance for deviation and swinging the compass)
• Tidal Theory
• Tidal Heights (including secondary ports)
• Tidal Streams (including interpolation of drift)
• Estimated Position
• Course to Steer
• Visual Aids to Navigation
• Electronic Aids to Navigation
• Passage Planning
• Meteorology (including interpreting surface pressure charts)
• The Collision Regulations
• Safety & Protection of The Environment

Unlimited support from our dedicated RYA Instructors - 365 days a year via email, phone or Skype/Zoom.

14-day unconditional money-back guarantee.

17 fully-narrated online lessons including animations, videos and realistic 3D graphics.

Embedded quizzes with instant feedback in each lesson.

14 self-assessment exercises with fully worked answers.

Over 50 downloadable or linked resources.

Videos covering: updating paper charts, engine checks, dismasting, jury rig, flood control, firefighting, gas explosions, capsize, lifejacket checks, how to put on a lifejacket and what happens when it inflates, man-overboard recovery, launching and boarding a liferaft.

Free Radar course.

RYA Student Pack (including 2 training charts, training almanac & course handbook).

Mock exams to prepare you for the real thing and give you the confidence to pass. 

3 final online exams with detailed instructor feedback and free repeat attempts if requried.

RYA Yachtmaster Shorebased Theory Course Completion Certificate.

12 months access to study with instructor support and exams - you can extend this if you want.

Lifetime access to training materials once you’ve completed the course.

Optional Extras

Plotter and divider You’ll need a course plotter and chart-dividers to complete the chartwork exercises - if you don’t already have these you can purchase a top quality set from us for £28 when you place your order.

Delivery UK delivery is free.  European delivery is £20, outside Europe delivery is £40.

You can start studying immediately as many of the lessons don’t rely on the printed support materials.

This course is accessed online with no additional software required.

Lessons are accompanied by optional professional narration, and notes. 

They are intuitive and easy to follow, whilst more complex subjects are accompanied by interactive animations and graphics to help you gain a full knowledge of each subject in the course syllabus.

Detailed step-by-step workings for navigational or tidal calculations make it easy for you to follow along as we show you how to plot positions, make tidal height and stream calculations, etc

You can go over these again and again, and test your knowledge with regular quizzes throughout each lesson. 

At the end of each lesson there is an excercise containg similar questions to the exam, with detailed and illustrated answers sent to you immediately to confirm your progress and fully prepare you for your mock and final exams.

You can repeat entire lessons and excercises as often as you wish until you are confident that you fully understand each subject.

When you have completed the course you can request mock and then final exams.

These are assessed by our RYA Instructors and detailed feedback is provided in any areas that may require further study within the course.

If you pass the final exams you will be awarded the RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper & Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Course Certificate , which will be posted to you.

Additional free resits, with suitable Instructor guidance, are available if required.

Call us for advice on 0238 218 2604

Course reviews.

Laura Anderson

Very enjoyable and informative

Impressively prompt and thorough feedback on all queries, tests, mock and real exams. Very high standards and you feel you have earned the Yachtmaster certificate.

Ciaran McIntyre

Comprehensive and well delivered

Excellent course materials and high quality delivery. Very responsive and excellent instructor feedback

Andrew Harvey

Excellent Yachtmaster theory course - I’d definitely recommend it.

Does what it says on the tin and more. I was impressed how well the course managed to tackle teaching relatively complex skills in a logical and easy to understand way.

Oliver Fleming

Well put together course.

I found the Yachtmaster theory course to be really well structured and covered all of the syllabus in great detail. I was impressed by how well the course managed to tackle teaching relatively complex skills in a logical and easy to understand way.

Combined - RYA Day Skipper & Yachtmaster to fast track your theory learning

• Certificates of Competence
• RYA Yachtmaster

What is an RYA Yachtmaster?

The RYA Yachtmaster® Certificate of Competence is often the ultimate aim of aspiring skippers. It is a well known, highly respected qualification worldwide, proving your experience and competence as a skipper. Unlike other qualifications in the cruising programme, there is no formal training course to become an RYA Yachtmaster. Instead, provided you have sufficient experience, certification and seatime, you can put yourself forward for an exam to test your skills and knowledge. There are a number of RYA navigation courses that will help you prepare for your exam. Many RYA Yachtmaster candidates also choose to book themselves into an RYA training centre for some specialised exam preparation training, but this is not compulsory.

You are capable of coastal passages

You are competent to undertake passages up to 150 miles offshore

You have the knowledge and experience to sail worldwide

• Arranging your exam

The Coastal and Offshore exams are practical tests afloat, and the Ocean is an oral exam. Find out more about qualifying passages, exam fees and how to book. 

With an RYA Yachtmaster Coastal, Offshore or Ocean Certificate of Competence you can start a career at sea.

You'll need to have the appropriate qualification for the vessel and area of operation.

If you want to work commercially, you'll need a commercial endorsement.

Find out more about other RYA professional qualifications.

• Getting the most from a Yachtmaster Fast Track course

Can you really become an RYA Yachtmaster in as little as 14 weeks? Check out our top tips for getting the most from a Yachtmaster Fast Track course...

Free Navathome Diesel Engine course with RYA Day Skipper and Coastal Yachtmaster theory online courses!

• Where Do I Start ?
• RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship
• RYA Day Skipper
• RYA Coastal Yachtmaster
• RYA Yachtmaster Ocean
• Fastrack To RYA Coastal Yachtmaster
• RYA CEVNI Test
• Navathome Basic Training
• Navathome Diesel Engine Course
• Navathome ICC Theory Course
• Upgrade From Navathome ICC to RYA Day Skipper
• Book A Course
• Vouchers & Gifts
• Extend Your Course
• Ways To Pay
• Other Payments

Welcome to Navathome

Join The Leading RYA Online Training School With More Than 20,000 Students

Get Instant Access To All Of Our Courses

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Navathome Basic Theory Course

Learn The Basics In Boating and Navigating

RYA Day Skipper theory

Start Your RYA Journey and Learn How To Navigate With Confidence Includes a free diesel engine course

RYA Coastal Skipper/ Yachtmaster

Enhance Your Knowledge of Navigation & Passage Planning Includes a free diesel engine course

Try our free Navathome App available from your app store

Try the 'Navathome' app free from your app store. We have courses for all experience levels, from beginners looking for an introduction to navigation, to experienced sailors and professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills.

CHOOSE YOUR COURSE

All courses are completed online, study at your own pace, from anywhere in the world.

Day Skipper

• Includes a free diesel engine course
• No Previous Experience Necessary
• Learn Basic Navigation & Seamanship

Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster

• Knowledge To Day Skipper Theory Level Required
• Enhance Your Knowledge of Navigation & Passage Planning

Yachtmaster Ocean

• Knowledge to Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory Level Required
• The Ultimate In Navigation

Fastrack to RYA Coastal Skipper/ Yachtmaster

• Formal Theory Qualifications Necessary
• Complete Day Skipper Revision and Coastal Yachtmaster Theory in one course

MORE THAN JUST NUMBERS ...

Years experience

TrustPilot reviews

Hours studied online

WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAYING ...

With over 2,500 5 Star Reviews on TrustPilot, it was hard to narrow it down.

customer Carolyn

Great Course

Day skipper theory course was very good - well explained and clear. There was help on hand when needed but working it out for yourself was great instruction in itself! I would certainly do another course with Navathome and would recommend it to others.

Comprehensive course with helpful feedback

I recently took the Coastal/Yachtmaster theory course with Navathome, and happily I passed. There is a great deal of information to cover, and trying to fit this round a day job meant I needed an extension to the time to go through the course, but they kindly granted me this, and provided helpful and constructive feedback at every point. The exam itself probably needs several days, especially if you are as slow at plotting fixes as I am. Think of a number and double it is useful in terms of time needed. The final paper is really an all-day job, so make sure to allow yourself a clear block of time when you can drop everything else and give it your undivided attention. Overall, this has been a thoroughly enjoyable learning experience, and I now feel far more confident that I have decent knowledge to back up the practicalities of sailing.

Navathome Day Skipper Theory

Just completed and passed the RYA Day Skipper Theory course with Navathome. It was a really great experience and I was pleased to discover that I am still capable of learning lots of new things. The content is excellent at delivered at your own pace so you can go back over things that you don't understand as many times as you want.

Tom, Cardiff

Well laid out lessons/resources

Well laid out lessons/resources. Excellent practice questions covering all scenarios. Instant feedback. Very helpful and patient instructors!!! Thank you All at Navathome

The day skipper theory course from…

The day skipper theory course from Navathome is really good. It is well laid out and easy to follow. It is simple to see your progress. The website works very well, I didn’t have any issues with it. I didn’t need to ask many questions, as the online course is so well structured, but when I did they were answered quickly and clearly.

Graham Foster

Comprehensive and high quality on line learning

A very comprehensive course giving time to complete all the exercises at your own pace, build confidence and commit everything to long term memory. I found this far better than creaming everything in over several weekends but be warned this is not the easy option. Fortunately great instructors available when required and instant feedback aids learning. Highly recommended.

Great course

Great course, super concise and well structured. I was able to sail through my practical assessment without any issues. (Dayskipper and Diesel Engine)

One of the best online courses ever!

One of the best online courses I’ve done, in any field. A great combination of text, diagrams, videos/animations, use of practical and physical components (charts, books, almanacs), quizzes, tests and full-on assessments. And there is always help from real people, who care about getting you where you want to be.

Very nice and helpful instructors

well structured course, with explanations for everyone. the instructors who are there for the student, helping him whenever he needs it.

Steve SP REPAIRS

Great Day skipper theory course fit in with my spare time.

Working so many hours I was able to fit the course in around my spare time.. the lessons were great and explained well with videos and graphics. The language was straightforward and although required some good concentration at times it was made even easier with how quick the reply to email questions would be.. I mean, literally a few minutes! This is a real professional set up with a real family/ kind feeling and atmosphere. Obviously you never meet the teachers apart from email but you can get a good sense that NavAtHome.com want you to pass vs just doing their jobs.. thank you NavAtHome.com, Jackie, Salomon and others that came back to my questions over the last months, look forward to doing the coastal course next year!

A very enjoyable course to do

The course was very easy to navigate and friendly to do. There are a few typos, but nothing to make anything ambiguous. I restarted the course this year after having to suspend doing it when I started caring for my mother a few years ago. The staff couldn't have been more helpful. I certainly will do another course in the future if I think it necessary for my level of sailing.

WHY NAVATHOME ?

Full support to pass, multi device support, highest rated school, free navathome app.

EXPERT RYA INSTRUCTORS

Fully animated lessons, group discounts, exceeds expectations, 6 months to complete with lifetime access to revision material.

Get 6 months initial access to complete the course, which may be extended, if required. After completing the course, you will receive lifetime access to our Revision Material to ensure you maintain the skills and knowledge you have learnt with us.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our goal is to assist you by addressing common questions and providing valuable information about our courses and services. If you’re unable to find the specific answer you’re seeking, we encourage you to reach out to our dedicated team. We are always ready to provide further assistance and support.

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RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor – All You Need To Know

What is the rya coastal skipper practical motor.

The goal of the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor course is to teach the skills and techniques required to skipper a motor cruiser safely on coastal and offshore passages by day and night. 

If you have not already done your RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Theory, then you should do that first. You can find more information about our online course here; RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Theory .

Or if you look here if you are looking for an RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Sail .

What Does the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor Allow You to Do?

You will gain practice in planning and skippering longer passages with a significant number of night hours where watch-keeping rotas become relevant. At the end of the course, a successful candidate would be awarded a course completion certificate.

An RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor course gives you the confidence to skipper a motor cruiser in unfamiliar waters, out of sight of land, both during the day and at night. It also gives credibility to the holder’s higher skill levels and will likely be looked at positively by insurance companies.

Occasionally, charter companies may ask for an RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor certificate for their larger sizes of vessels or for chartering in more complex waters.

Nobody will be ready to jump straight into a commercial RYA Coastal Skipper Motor exam on completion of an RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor course, but the skillsets taught will enable the student to continue building their knowledge and experience as they progress in their motor cruising career.

Who Can Do an RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor?

The RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor course is open to anyone who meets the basic minimum criteria.

• 17 years of age or older
• 15 days spent at sea
• 300nm at sea
• 8 night hours experienced on the water
• 2 days as skipper

If you have boating experience but not skippering experience, then you will want to take the RYA Day Skipper Practical Motor course. You can read more about that here.

Can You Go Straight to the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor course?

You should aim to complete your RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Theory before attending your RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor course.

While this is not a beginner’s course, so long as you have the relevant experience and skippering skills as described above then you can indeed, go straight into RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor.

It should be noted however, that on the RYA Day Skipper Practical Motor course certain building blocks in your learning will have taken place and so if you do not have at least a few days of experience as a skipper of a small vessel then it is recommended that you start at the RYA Day Skipper Practical Motor to consolidate your knowledge of boat handling and skippering techniques.

How Long Does an RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor take?

The RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor is a minimum of a 5-day live-aboard course, however, some schools may choose to extend this.

Is There a Set Syllabus?

There is indeed a syllabus. Each of the following topics represents a specific part of the learnings that will be covered on an RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor course in varying levels of detail.

Passage planning, preparation for sea, pilotage, passage making, ability as skipper, handling under power, adverse weather conditions and emergency situations detail the various aspects of the syllabus.

Read on to learn in a little more detail about how each of these is covered in a little more detail.

What Might I Learn on an RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor Course?

The RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor course is one of the most rewarding courses within the RYA cruising scheme.

On this course, you will advance your cruising and navigational skills from those previously learned. The RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor will take your RYA Day Skipper Practical Motor skills to a higher level. With this, you will gain more independence in your skippering.

The highlight of the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor course will see you take on a passage that involves some kind of watchkeeping, something you may not have been part of before, especially while also responsible for skippering and navigation. This passage will ideally be out of sight of land and include numerous hours both during the day and at night.

Inevitably, the passage will also cover more than one tidal period or window while also overlaying various weather forecast times. Covering these in a practical scenario, under the guidance of an experienced instructor will allow you to truly see and feel how much these will affect your passage and why we need to take careful consideration of them at all times.

Further passage planning and preparation to a coastal level will be covered, while pilotage will now be covered by night as well as day. 

Handling the vessel under power will not be forgotten about as you will be put through more advanced learnings both at sea and in close quarters. 

Finally, of course, during the week you will cover various emergency situations, including the recovery of a casualty and understanding how to handle adverse weather.

What Is the Cost of a Course?

As ever, many schools differ in price. We would recommend that you take a look around at the various options and find what suits your needs the best. Cheapest is not often better.

This can range from knowing if you will have to share a cabin while onboard to whether food and berthing charges are included to how many other students you will be sharing your week with.

Where Should I Do My RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor Course?

There are many thoughts on where is best, but to be truthful, it is what works for you best. 

One thought is to do it in an area that you wouldn’t normally cruise in, that way, you can gain learnings and experiences that are uncommon to you.

It is also important to know where you might be cruising. Ideally, you want to be cruising out of sight of land at some point on an extended passage that covers a number of night hours. You do not want to be returning to the same home port every night.

Check here for RYA practical schools.

What Is the Pass Mark for the Course?

There is no specific pass mark as such. The instructor’s aim is to introduce you to the skills, techniques and experiences of cruising out of sight of land, on a watch system and making landfall.

These may all be introductions to you in this area and as such, each student will find they are at a different level.

The instructor for your course will guide and personalise any learnings so as to improve your knowledge and skills as best as possible.

As long as you are willing to put the effort into learning these skills and have come with the relevant knowledge and experience then you should be confident in achieving the desired standard to be awarded the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor course completion certification.

What Comes After RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Motor

This is the highest practical course within the RYA cruising scheme. Ideally, you want to go on and consolidate all your learnings and gain experience in a range of conditions, boats and passages.

As you venture out on your travels, be sure to study any special characteristics you will come across in new unfamiliar waters such as med moorings, unusual winds or IALA B.

Once you have consolidated your knowledge, you can start to think about aiming for your RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Motor or RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Motor.

Releated Posts

RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Sail – All You Need To Know

RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory – All The Information You Need

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Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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(A New Guide Posted Every Other Wednesday)

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Join the GOLF team at Pinehurst this May

Is golf catching on in Russia? Jack Nicklaus’s designers have certainly been busy there

Golf is played in more than 200 countries and territories around the world, but until fairly recently, Russia wasn’t one of them.

Its introduction to the game came just 30 years ago with the opening of the country’s first course, Moscow City Golf Club, a nine-hole layout on the fringes of the capital.

At the time, Russia was still part of the Soviet Union. But while the Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, gave his blessing to the project, the real driving force was the Swedish golf star, Sven “Tumba” Johansson, who announced his plans to build the course while floating on a boat down the Moscow River, whacking golf balls into the water under the bemused watch of party apparatchiks.

As if that weren’t entertainment enough, there was the club’s groundbreaking ceremony, in late 1987, where the motley assortment of celebrities in attendance (Mike Tyson, Sean Connery and Pele, among them) solidified golf’s status in the country as a little more than a curiosity.

That was then, this is now.

In the world’s ninth most populous country there are more than a dozen 18-hole courses, a handful of nine-hole layouts and myriad projects in the works.

The most recent to be completed is Raevo Golf and Country Club, outside Moscow, a Jack Nicklaus Signature design that opened earlier this month.

Nicklaus Signature courses are relative rarities that come at a cost and carry prestige, but Raevo is not the first in the Moscow area. It’s the third, giving the city and its surrounds a greater concentration of Nicklaus Signature courses than any major capital in the world.

This depth charge of Russian golf course development has been propelled in large part by economic shifts that have generated great reservoirs of private wealth. But the boom has also happened in the face of an inconvenient fact: Russia is not an easy place to grow the game.

Aside from having next to nothing in the way of golf tradition, the country enjoys little in the way of a golf season. Winters are long. Summers are short. Turf can have a tough time taking root. If you’re itching to play on a Moscow getaway, you should aim between mid-May and mid-October.

Throw in rocky, clay-based soil — far from the friendliest for course construction — and you understand why Russian sporting culture features more slap-shots on ice than chip shots around the green.

Yet golf progresses.

Over the past decade-plus, Dirk Bouts, a design associate with Nicklaus Design, has made about 80 trips to Russia, spending long stretches on the ground consulting on course renovations and overseeing new construction. During Bouts’s early visits, the majority of golfers he crossed paths with were expats. In more recent years, that demographic breakdown has turned on its head.

“The first time I went, golf’s presence was pretty much non-existent,” Bouts says. “But you see it taking root. It’s becoming more democratic. You have people making a decent visit. Now, it seems like every time I go back, there are more Russians out on the course.”

Just as picking up the game involves a learning curve, so does building courses in a fledgling golf market. The first Nicklaus Signature course in Russia was Tseleevo Golf and Polo Club, which opened in 2008 outside Moscow after a drawn-out five years of construction — a process prolonged by inexperienced Russian contractors working challenging terrain with outmoded equipment.

By 2014, though, when it came time to cut the ribbon on Skolkovo, the second Nicklaus Signature design outside the capital, the work crews were more seasoned, the equipment upgraded and the entire process streamlined. The job took four years. It’s since gotten more efficient. The start-to-finish work on Raevo was a comparatively scant three years.

The resulting course is a sylvan beauty that spills through a woodsy landscape, west of the capital, with natural creeks and lakes as ornamentation, and gentle hills and valleys that lend plenty of movement. Stretched to the tips, the course plays 7,245 yards, plenty of heft to handle tournaments. The turf is creeping bentgrass, and the sand-capping and extensive drainage beneath it is designed to stretch the golf season to its fullest.

“Instead of mid-May to mid-October,” Bouts says, “we’re hoping for something more like mid-April to end of October.”

This month marked a soft opening for Raevo, as the clubhouse is not yet completed. When the grand opening takes place, celebrities will no doubt be in attendance, Nicklaus among them.

Don’t expect Mike Tyson.

Golf in Russia has gotten serious.