RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Motor

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RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Motor

NOTICE: We will resume all RYA Motor Cruising Courses in January 2024. Please contact us for more information.

The preparation method is normally 3 days onboard but as the examiner will expect a high level of mechanical knowledge of a general and vessel specific nature, then completing one of the Engineering courses is highly recommended. We can build a 2 day maintenance course into the prep.

During the exam you can expect to give the examiner a guided tour of your engine room. He/she will expect a detailed knowledge of your equipment and may ask searching questions about the operation of specific machinery and systems.

The same may be true of fuel switching systems between tanks and engines or the use of day tanks. Be aware of how much fuel you carry and your cruising range.  Make sure you can explain the oil, air, fuel, salt and fresh water systems and show the examiner where all the lines and hoses go.

You will be expected to be able to handle the boat efficiently in a confined area and be able to berth in a variety of situations. This may well include berthing on one engine (in a twin engine vessel) and berthing without the use of the bow thruster if fitted.

Under way you will be examined on your high-speed navigation. Make sure you know where you are and where you are going at all times. The power exam may well have more emphasis than the sail equivalent on GPS and radar navigation so make sure you are familiar with the equipment on the exam vessel.

Please click here to see the progression of RYA Motor Practical Courses and the recommended path for both theory and practical courses.

$1800usd pp. Please click on the 'Training Dates & Booking' button on the right to check available dates.

Duration:  5 Days plus maintenance course
(3 Days preparation, followed by a 2 day exam)		 Max students : 4
Previous Experience: VHF certificate, A Valid First Aid certificate,
50 days Onboard, 5 days as skipper, 2500 miles, 5 passages over 60 nautical miles including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper. 		 Minimum Age: 18
Locations: Antigua Dates: This course is run all year round
Day Skipper Motor

RYA Day Skipper Motor

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RYA Day Skipper Practical Motor

NOTICE: We plan to resume RYA Motor Cruising Courses in early 2024. Please contact us for more information.

This RYA Day Skipper Motor course is intended to introduce you to cruising in a motor vessel.  It includes preparation for sea, boat handling, navigation, pilotage, passage making, meteorology, rules of the road, engines and emergency situations.  Part of the course will also involve night cruising.  You will learn how to integrate the GPS and radar systems into your navigation and how to keep track of your position at speed.  You are strongly advised to be comfortable with day skipper level navigation theory before attending this course.

Please click here to see the progression of RYA Motor Practical Courses and the recommended path for both theory and practical courses.

Upon successful completion of the RYA Day Skipper Practical Course, you will be able to navigate and skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day.  This qualification is usually required when chartering a yacht as skipper anywhere in the world.  Holders of the RYA Day Skipper Practical qualification can apply for an International Certificate of Competence (ICC).
This course can be done on own vessel or Ondeck’s.  Generally this will be done privately or for family groups. It is also a good course for friends and families to sail together privately either all doing Day Skipper or with Competent Crew candidates.

If you are going to be chartering a yacht in the future we would also recommend the VHF/SRC Radio Course.

$1250usd pp Please click on the 'Training Dates & Booking' button on the right to check available dates.

Duration:  4 Days No. Students to Instructor: 5:1
Previous Experience: 4 Days onboard, 100 logged miles and 4 night hours.Basic knowledge of navigation and sailing ability. Candidates should have completed RYA Day Skipper Theory or similar Minimum Age: 16
Locations: Antigua. Dates: This course is run all year round

RYA Power to Sail Conversion Course

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Yachtmaster Power to Sail and Sail to Power 'Conversion'

From July 2021 there is no longer a shortened conversion exam as such.

The exam that will be undertaken by the candidate is a full exam, however the fact that the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence in one discipline, means that we can accepted a reduced amount of mileage and sea time in the discipline for which they will now be examined.

Holders of the RYA Yachtmaster® Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence in a particular discipline (sail or power) are eligible for a “discount” in terms of the mileage and sea time that is required for the exam in the other discipline.

The sea time shown below must be in the discipline in which you are to be examined (sail or power). All qualifying seatime must be within 10 years prior to the exam.

Yachtmaster Coastal

  • Minimum of 400 miles
  • 12 days living on board
  • 2 days as skipper
  • 12 night hours

Yachtmaster Offshore

  • Minimum of 1250 miles
  • 25 days living on board
  • 3 days as skipper
  • 3 passages over 60 miles including 1 overnight and 1 as skipper

It is essential that candidates for any exam be fully conversant with the entire syllabus relating to the relevant type of vessel (sail or motor) and that they have adequate experience to be confident in the capacity of skipper of that type of craft.

RYA Powerboat Level 2

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This is a popular course and very suitable for residents and visitors alike and is fully accepted locally and internationally for recreational boat usage as well as a requirement for those driving tenders in the yacht industry.

It will provide you with the skills and background knowledge needed by the competent powerboat driver and is the basis of the International Certificate of Competence. It aims to teach boat handling and seamanship in powerboats. It focuses on low speed close quarters handling, man overboard recovery, an introduction to driving at planing speed, and collision regulations.

Please click here to see the progression of RYA Powerboat Courses and the recommended path for both theory and practical courses.

Other courses to consider alongside this course:

RYA Short Ranger Certificate - A license to operate VHF Marine Radio Worldwide.

RYA Dayskipper (Shorebased) or RYA Dayskipper (Online) - Developing on your Navigation Skills, Safety Awareness and Metrology Skills.

Outboard Engine Maintenance Course - Learn to diagnose problems and service your outboard engine

RYA Diesel Engine Course - Useful for those working on inboard engine vessels. Develop on your diesel engine skills, covering troubleshooting, servicing, winterisation and more!

The RYA Powerboat Level 2 course is one of the most useful and versatile of our courses for the following reasons:

1. It will help you, passengers and other users to become safer on the water.

2. Teaches you practical skills plus the basics of navigation, safety, rules of the road and much more.

3. It is accepted by ADOMS in Antigua & Barbuda as meeting the requirements of the Small Craft [Control] Regulations 2017. In short you now need a license to drive a pleasure craft by law in Antigua & Barbuda.

4. It is accepted internationally and for a small fee you can apply to the RYA for the ICC, International Certificate of Competence which is also a very useful international leisure license.

5. It is also accepted as a professional qualification and is sought by many people working on super yachts in order to be able to drive the tenders and support vessels. Not only that, it forms the basis for the Boatmaster 3 course for inshore small boat professionals here in the Caribbean.

6. You can arrange for the course on your own or Ondeck’s vessel.

7. It is 2 days and we can offer flexibility on dates during the week or weekends.

8. Excellent instructors who are informative and patient.

9. A good base course that can be followed up with more in depth driving, maintenance or navigation skills courses.

Please click on the 'Training Dates & Booking' button on the right to check available dates, however, we also run the course in Antigua On Demand - Individual places available upon request at $550 per person.

Duration: 2 Days No. Students to Instructor: 3:1
Previous Experience: None Minimum Age: 12 - students under 16 will be given an endorsed certificate
Locations: Antigua Dates: This course is run all year round

Yachtmaster Sail to Power Conversion

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POWER TO SAIL AND SAIL TO POWER EXAMS

From July 2021 there is no longer a shortened conversion exam as such

The exam that will be undertaken by the candidate is a full exam, however the fact that the candidate already holds an RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence in one discipline, means that we can accepted a reduced amount of mileage and sea time in the discipline for which they will now be examined.

Holders of the RYA Yachtmaster® Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence in a particular discipline (sail or power) are eligible for a “discount” in terms of the mileage and sea time that is required for the exam in the other discipline.

The sea time shown below must be in the discipline in which you are to be examined (sail or power). All qualifying seatime must be within 10 years

Yachtmaster Offshore

  • Minimum of 1250 miles
  • 25 days living on board
  • 3 days as skipper
  • 3 passages over 60 miles including 1 overnight and 1 as skipper

It is essential that candidates for any exam be fully conversant with the entire syllabus relating to the relevant type of vessel (sail or motor) and that they have adequate experience to be confident in the capacity of skipper of that type of craft.