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RYA yachtmaster prep

RYA Yachtmaster theory The third tier in yacht training

“Yachtmaster theory is the final navigation course before you are let loose on the high seas. Too often, it is seen as a course to pass. Rubicon 3 though are committed to the teaching of reall skills – and the difference is huge .”
Rachael Sprot – Director

Overview

The RYA Yachtmaster theory course teaches you the skills you need to pass your Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore certificate. It is a pre-requisite to taking the practical exams that you have passed this course. While not obligatory, it is also highly recommended that you have taken this course before taking the Coastal Skipper course. Thrive with the Rubicon 3 10:2 teaching method Rubicon 3 matches our expedition sailing expertise with advanced teaching methods. Every topic is broken down into ten minutes of really rich teaching input and deep content. Students are then given 2 minutes to digest the content and discuss with a fellow student or write notes individually. Especially for complex topics such as navigation, these short, sharp segments prove to be a transformational approach to learning. Read more about our approach below.

Key Points

Day Skipper theory required

Classroom based

More advanced navigational skills

Required skills to pass Yachtmaster

What's Included

All course materials including course notes.

Morning and afternoon tea.

What's not Included

Overnight accommodation

  • LOCATIONS
  • WHAT TO EXPECT
  • QUALITY OF THE INSTRUCTORS
  • THE RUBICON 3 10:2 TEACHING METHOD
  • FAQ
  • SYLLABUS

The course is taught in various parts of the country. When you select different dates from the drop-down you will see the location.

Portsmouth

Unit 27, Victoria Quay, The Cooperage, Weevil Lane, Gosport, PO12 1AX. (Free parking available at this location)

All teaching is in a classroom, led by an expert Rubicon 3 instructor. Class sizes are limited to 8 students, to ensure that you have proper levels of interaction with the instructor. Students come with all different levels of prior knowledge, but do not worry. The entire syllabus is taught from the beginning, and no knowledge of the syllabus is expected prior to starting

The simple truth is that shore based courses in the sailing industry are often taught by people who have done very little sailing outside of their local area. This hugely limits their skills and experience, beyond repeating the same anecdotes and lines lesson after lesson.

At Rubicon 3, we sail year round to some of the world’s most remote and challenging regions. We are constantly learning, evolving and improving our approach to sailing and navigation. When you learn with us, you will be getting expert instructors teaching the latest approaches to the theory.

If you have been listening for longer than 10 minutes, then it’s time to stop. Any longer than that and whatever is coming out of the instructor’s mouth isn’t going to be having much impact. You will increasingly switch off because it is simply too much new information. It needs to be processed, before more information can be digested.

“To keep students engaged, you must win the battle for their attention every 10 minutes”.

The idea of teaching in 10 minute segments is well recognised as the approach that works. It is variously known as‘Chunk and Chew’, ‘Turn and Talk’, ‘Stop and Jot’ and  ‘Listen-Stop-and-Write’.

It works like this:

  • The instructor breaks all the content down into manageable portions and then allows time for learners to digest the information.
  • Students receive 10 minutes of rich teaching and content (listening, watching, reading)
  • They are then given 2 minutes to digest & discuss the content with a fellow student or to write notes individually.

It is well recognised now that when information is delivered in chunks, we remember more and the 2 minutes given for chewing is vital for absorbing, processing, discussing and comprehending. The research shows that the key to mastery of new concepts is frequent and persistent review of material.

The two minute breathers ensure the brain has a break and can consciously and subconsciously replay the content. Taking a breather also allows students to generate questions.

What time does my course start and finish?

Start: 0900hrs on Monday

Finish: 1600hrs on Friday

Do I need to book overnight accommodation?

Yes, unless you live nearby. These are not residential courses.

Is everything else I need included?

Yes. Your course comes with all the course notes you will need. You do not need to bring any other equipment. It is all provided.

This is an advanced course in navigation and meteorology for candidates for the Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. The syllabus makes some provision for the revision of subjects in the Day Skipper course but those who have not acquired the knowledge set out in the Day Skipper course are unlikely to be able to assimilate all the subjects covered in this advanced course in the time available.

1. Position

  • Dead reckoning and estimated position
  • Satellite-derived position
  • Use of waypoints to fix position
  • Radar fixes
  • Techniques of visual fixing
  • Fixes using a mixture of position lines
  • Relative accuracy of different methods of position fixing
  • Area of uncertainty

2. The magnetic compass

  • Allowance for variation
  • Change of variation with time and position
  • Causes of deviation
  • Swing for deviation (but not correction)
  • Allowance for deviation
  • Different types of compass

3. Tides

  • Causes of tide – Springs and Neaps
  • Tide tables – sources
  • Tidal levels and datum
  • Standard and secondary ports
  • Tide anomalies (Solent, etc.)

4. Tidal Streams

  • Sources of tidal information
  • Tidal stream information in sailing directions and Yachtsmen’s Almanacs
  • Allowance for tidal streams in computing a course to steer
  • Tide rips, overfalls and races
  • Tidal observation buoys, beacons etc.

5. Buoyage

  • IALA system buoyage in Region A
  • Limitations of buoys as navigational aids

6. Lights

  • Characteristics
  • Ranges – visual, luminous and nominal
  • Rising and dipping distances
  • Light lists

7. Pilotage

  • Harbour regulations and control signals
  • Methods of pre-planning
  • Clearing lines
  • Use of soundings
  • Transits and leading lines

 8. GPS and chart plotters

  • Principles of operation and limitations of use
  • Raster and vector charts
  • Datum
  • Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source and keeping a separate record of position
  • Importance of paper charts

9. Echo sounders

  • Principles of operation and limitations of use

10. Logs (speed and distance measuring)

  • Principles of operation limitations of use

11. Deck log

  • Importance of log as yacht’s official document
  • Layout of log, hourly and occasional entries

12. Meteorology

  • Basic terms, the Beaufort scale b. Air masses c. Cloud types d. Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems e. Sources of weather forecasts f. Ability to interpret a shipping forecast, weather fax and weather satellite information g. Land and sea breezes h. Sea fog i. Use of barometer as a forecasting aid

13. Rules of the Road

  • A sound knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, except Annexes 1 and 3

14. Safety at Sea

  • Personal safety, use of lifejackets, safety harnesses and lifelines
  • Fire prevention and fire fighting
  • Distress signals
  • Coastguard and Boat Safety Scheme
  • Preparation for heavy weather
  • Liferafts and helicopter rescue
  • Understanding of capabilities of vessel and basic knowledge of stability

15. Navigation in restricted visibility

  • Precautions to be taken in fog
  • Limitations to safe navigation imposed by fog
  • Navigation in poor visibility

16. Passage planning

  • Preparation of charts and notebook for route planning and making, and use at sea
  • Customs regulations as they apply to yachts
  • Routine for navigating in coastal waters
  • Strategy for course laying
  • Use of waypoints and routes
  • Use of weather forecast information for passage planning strategy
  • Sources of local and national regulations

Summary

Duration

6 Days (Monday - Saturday)

Previous experience required

Knowledge of navigation to RYA Day Skipper theory level and practical sailing or motorboat experience.

Course overview

6 days of expert tuition from Europe’s leading adventure sailing school

Location

Solent, England. Based in Portsmouth.

Who we are

Blueco Holdings Ltd, t/a Rubicon 3 Adventure
20 – 22 Wenlock Road, London, N1 7GU

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