Plan before you book
Your schedule must be confirmed with the school
This is a multi-week pathway, not an instant online booking. We first review your experience, theory progress, available dates and training objectives. The school then confirms the sequence and sends a written plan before any booking or payment is requested.
Course Overview
The RYA Coastal Skipper Fast Track is a structured six-week pathway for motivated beginners who want to progress from useful crew to a more capable and confident coastal skipper. It combines five practical sailing weeks with a dedicated advanced-theory week, building each stage in the correct sequence rather than treating the courses as separate short experiences.
Students should complete the RYA Day Skipper Theory course before the practical Fast Track begins. We recommend an online Day Skipper Theory course from Skippers Online or Ardent Training. The first two practical weeks then cover RYA Competent Crew and RYA Day Skipper Practical, establishing the seamanship, yacht handling, pilotage and command foundations required for the more advanced stages.
The pathway then develops Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore theory knowledge before moving into two Andaman Cruise / Mile Builder weeks and RYA Coastal Skipper Practical. Longer passages, night sailing, watchkeeping, passage planning and changing coastal conditions give you time to consolidate skills rather than moving directly from one certificate to the next.
Practical weeks operate as liveaboard training from Phuket Yacht Haven Marina, using the islands, passages and anchorages of the Andaman Sea as a genuine cruising classroom. Routes and training priorities remain flexible according to weather, student progress and operational conditions. The programme must be planned with the school before booking so that theory, yacht, instructor and practical dates form a realistic pathway.
Who Is This Course For?
Motivated beginners who want a structured six-week route through crewing, skippering, advanced theory, mile building and Coastal Skipper practical training.
Prerequisites
- No previous sailing experience required
- Day Skipper Theory should be completed before the programme begins
- Reasonable mobility and fitness for repeated practical weeks aboard
- Minimum age: 17 years old for the Coastal Skipper practical component
Students should complete the RYA Day Skipper Theory online course before the practical Fast Track begins. We recommend Skippers Online or Ardent Training.
Programme Structure
Duration: 6 weeks: five weeks of five-day sailing courses and one self-study week.
- 1
Week 1
RYA Competent Crew
- 2
Week 2
RYA Day Skipper Practical
- 3
Week 3
Self-study week — Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory
- 4
Weeks 4–6
Mile building and Coastal Skipper practical training
What Is Included
Included
- RYA Competent Crew practical course
- RYA Day Skipper Practical course
- RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course
- Two Andaman Cruise / Mile Builder weeks
- RYA Marine Radio VHF (SRC) online course
- Onboard accommodation during practical sailing weeks
- Use of the training yacht, safety equipment and normal operating costs
Not included
- RYA Day Skipper Theory course
- RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory course
- £76 VHF/SRC examination fee, paid directly to the RYA
- Flights and transport to or from Phuket
- Accommodation ashore during the theory week and applicable weekends
- Meals, drinks and personal provisions
- Personal travel and activity insurance
- External examination or certification fees not stated in the written plan
Delivery dates and final inclusions are confirmed before payment. External examination or certification fees remain separate unless your written quote explicitly includes them.
Courses inside this Fast Track
RYA Competent Crew
Build the practical seamanship, sail handling and onboard routines required of a capable crew member.
View course informationRYA Day Skipper Practical
Develop pilotage, yacht handling and command skills for skippering by day in familiar waters.
View course informationAndaman Mile Builders
Build passage experience, confidence, night hours and command practice across two development weeks.
View course informationRYA Coastal Skipper Practical
Bring the pathway together through advanced pilotage, passage execution and skippering in more demanding waters.
View course informationRYA Marine Radio VHF (SRC)
Complete the included online SRC learning. The separate £76 RYA examination fee is paid directly to the RYA before assessment.
View course informationHow the standard price is calculated
The normal combined price of the individual courses and experience-building weeks is €6,450. The Coastal Skipper Fast Track applies a 15% package discount, with the standard package price rounded to €5,500.
- RYA Competent Crew: €1,250
- RYA Day Skipper Practical: €1,250
- RYA Coastal Skipper Practical: €1,250
- Two Andaman Cruise / Mile Builder weeks: 2 × €1,250 = €2,500
- RYA Marine Radio VHF/SRC online course: €200
- Normal component total: €6,450
- Fast Track package discount: −15%
- Standard rounded package price: €5,500
Day Skipper Theory and Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory are booked separately and are not included in the €5,500 package. This programme must be planned with the school before booking. The final schedule and written quote may change if you already hold recognised certificates, need additional mileage or require a different sequence.
Recommended to Bring
- RYA logbook and evidence of any previous sailing experience
- Laptop or tablet for the online theory component
- Navigation notes, notebook, pencils and plotting tools
- Lightweight quick-drying clothing and a light waterproof layer
- Non-marking deck shoes with good grip
- Sun protection, hat and sunglasses
- Personal medication, toiletries and a refillable water bottle
- Soft luggage rather than a hard suitcase
- Travel insurance covering practical sailing activities
Supporting Courses
The RYA Marine Radio VHF/SRC online course is already included in this Fast Track package. RYA First Aid is a valuable supporting qualification for sailors progressing toward Yachtmaster examination and professional pathways.
RYA Marine Radio VHF (SRC)
Included in this packageComplete the online SRC course as part of your Fast Track package. The separate RYA examination fee is not included.
View courseRYA First Aid
Develop the emergency-care knowledge required as you progress toward Yachtmaster examination eligibility.
View courseLocal Information
Flights and Arrival
Yacht Haven Marina is approximately 20–30 minutes by road from Phuket International Airport in normal traffic. Exact boarding, checkout and examination arrangements are confirmed in the written joining instructions.
Typical Weather
Phuket is warm throughout the year, but the monsoon seasons influence wind, rainfall and route planning. These are typical patterns rather than a forecast.
Nov–Jan
24–31°C
Drier northeast-monsoon period with more sunshine and generally comfortable cruising conditions.
Feb–Apr
25–33°C
Hot, mostly dry weather. Winds can become lighter and more variable as the season progresses.
May–Aug
24–32°C
Southwest-monsoon sailing with tropical showers, fresher winds and more swell on exposed routes.
Sep–Oct
24–31°C
Typically the wettest and most changeable period, with squalls and routes adjusted to conditions.
Your Next RYA Step
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book the Coastal Skipper Fast Track immediately online?
No. This is a coordinated six-week pathway. The school first reviews your experience, theory progress, preferred dates and training objectives, then confirms the sequence and sends a written plan and price before asking for payment.
Do I need previous sailing experience?
The complete pathway is designed to accept a motivated beginner. If you already hold RYA certificates or have suitable logged experience, tell us before planning because some components may be adjusted or removed after review.
Do the six weeks have to run consecutively?
Not necessarily. Consecutive delivery depends on yacht, instructor, theory and Mile Builder availability. The school can propose a continuous programme or divide the components into suitable blocks while preserving the correct learning sequence.
Where do I stay during the programme?
Onboard accommodation is included during the practical sailing weeks. Students arrange accommodation ashore during the theory week and applicable weekends; we can recommend options around Yacht Haven Marina and elsewhere in Phuket.
Is the Coastal Skipper certificate guaranteed?
No. Certificates are issued only when the required standard is demonstrated. The instructor continually reviews your progress and may recommend additional mileage or focused training if more development is needed.
Is the RYA Marine Radio VHF course included?
Yes. The standard package includes the RYA Marine Radio VHF/SRC online course. The separate £76 SRC examination fee is paid directly to the RYA, and the assessment arrangements are confirmed in your written programme plan.
What happens if weather changes a sailing week?
Routes and exercises are always adapted to safe operating conditions. The instructor uses suitable Andaman passages and anchorages to meet the training objectives, but no exact route or mileage total can be guaranteed in advance.