Cruising and Yachtmaster Instructors

Information about teaching courses in the RYA Yachtmaster Sail and Motor Cruising schemes and instructor qualifications
 

COVID-19: There remains no requirement for these courses or revalidations to be residential. Cruising Instructor courses are at the centre’s discretion. Yachtmaster Instructor courses and Yachtmaster Instructor/Cruising Instructor revalidations will remain non-residential for 2021.

We are accepting applications for Cruising Instructor courses to be run at centres where local COVID restrictions allow. Courses can run with a minimum of two (with an additional crew member) and up to a maximum of four students.

It is suggested that a classroom or open area could be utilised for the duration of the course to allow for tuition and discussion that would normally happen inside the vessel to be carried out while socially distanced.

There is pre-learning for Cruising Instructor and Yachtmaster Instructor courses and revalidations which candidates will need to complete prior to attending.

Due to a lack of available trainers, Yachtmaster Instructor courses and Cruising Instructor/Yachtmaster Instructor revalidations are running, but only those organised by the RYA.

From May 2021 Cruising and Yachtmaster Instructors who are unable to get to an RYA revalidation due to COVID travel restrictions have an option to revalidate via an online method which would revalidate them once for two years from when their current ticket is due to expire.

Yachtmaster Instructor courses will run with a minimum of two and a maximum of three students. A YMI Sail course being four days and a YMI Power course being three days.

Yachtmaster Instructor and Cruising Instructor revalidations and reassessments will be run with a minimum of two and a maximum of three students and will be run over one day only.

 


 

This section is for people wanting to teach the RYA Yachtmaster Sail and Motor Cruising schemes.

The first step in teaching within the practical cruising scheme is to become qualified as an RYA Cruising Instructor, before moving up to the Yachtmaster Instructor qualification. Both qualifications can be taken in sail and motor cruisers, and the certificate will be endorsed accordingly.

Due to the short time available on the instructor course, there is limited opportunity to fill any gaps in knowledge. The course is a blend of assessing the candidate's knowledge, providing a structured framework to instruct, coach, observe and deliver constructive feedback, and ensure the structure and standards required of RYA courses are understood. Candidates must therefore ensure they have sufficient underpinning knowledge prior to attending.

An effective instructor must have credibility with students and a genuine interest and engagement with the subject is essential for this. Questions from students will often stray outside the core syllabus or be concerned with seeking advice about equipment or situations. Without enthusiasm and a depth of knowledge far above the RYA syllabus, this credibility could easily be lost. It is difficult to quantify in writing exactly what this means but without extensive practical experience of the subject, candidates are unlikely to be successful on an instructor course.

Due to the arduous nature of practical training afloat, an instructor certificate obtained or revalidated after the instructor's 67th birthday will require revalidation with effect from the instructor's 72nd birthday. An instructor certificate obtained or revalidated after the instructor's 70th birthday will be valid for a period of two years before an update is required. Cruising Instructor

Cruising Instructor

Minimum age
18
Required certificates
Experience
Experienced skipper with theoretical and practical knolwedge well in excess of the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence.
Pre-entry assessment Candidates are required to pass an online pre-course module prior to being eligibile to attend the course.
Training course

Five day (sail) or four day (motor) course with a second Trainer joining on the final day as course moderator.

Course dates (sail)

Course dates (power)

Revalidation course dates

Qualified to teach
Can instruct RYA practical courses up to the level of Day Skipper
Validity

Five years, after which candidates will need to attend a RYA Cruising Instructor revalidation. Revalidation is carried out over one day on the water.

During restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, an online revalidation is available. If revalidating online, the certificate will be valid for two years, after which time the normal on-water revalidation will be due.

RYA membership
Required

Yachtmaster Instructor

Minimum age
18
Required certificates
  • First aid certificate
  • RYA Cruising Instructor certificate for sail or power as appropriate, or
  • If an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor in the other scheme (sail or power) with significant experience in the scheme they now wish to become a YMI in, send your relevant CV evidenced where possible, to training@rya.org.uk  for consideration for a more direct route
Experience

At least two years part-time or one season full-time as an RYA Cruising Instructor and be an experienced skipper

Theoretical and practical knowledge should be well in excess of the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence

Logged more than 7,000 miles sea time

Training course

Four days (sail) or three days (motor) course. A combination of learning and assessment with the final day as a moderation with a different Trainer.

Course dates and online booking system

Revalidation course dates

Qualified to teach
RYA practical courses beyond Day Skipper.
Validity

Five years, after which you will need to attend an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor revalidation. Revalidation is carried out over one day on the water for motor and two for sail.

During restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, an online revalidation is available. If revalidating online, the certificate will be valid for two years, after which time the normal on-water revalidation will be due.

RYA membership
Required