yachtmaster melbourne

Learn to Sail in Melbourne with…

Blue water sailing school​.

• FUN INTRODUCTORY SAILING EXPERIENCES
• practical SAILING LESSONS
• Quality ONLINE Video COURSES
• Adventure Sailing & Racing
• Cruises and skippered charters

Check out our offerings and find your next sailing adventure

Gift Vouchers Available

Discover the joy of sailing in these four-hour, low cost introductions to life on the water.

Experience Sailing

Experience sailing @ sunset.

Two-day (9am-5pm) introductory courses are the perfect start to sailing.  Take all three and receive the International Crew qualification.  Package price $1200 .

Learn to Sail

Competent crew, east coast spectacular.

Gain internationally recognised qualifications charter overseas and train in an immersive liveaboard context.

International Certificate of Competence (ICC)

International crew, international bareboat skipper, learn to sail whitsundays.

Challenge yourself on a remarkable adventure around Tasmania, to the Whitsundays or in the Mediterranean.

Tasmania Circumnavigation

Turkey 2024, whitsundays to mooloolaba, mooloolaba to sydney, sail and bathe weekend, greece 2025.

Join our crew for some of the world’s most exciting yacht racing regattas!

Geelong Festival of Sails

Petersville regatta – blairgowrie, airlie beach race week, hamilton island race week, twilight racing.

Bespoke, flexible training and cruises. Corporate events, team-building and leadership development.

Private Sailing Lessons

Cruises and skippered charters.

Online courses for VHF (Short Range) and MF/HF Long Range marine radio make getting your licence flexible, quick and easy. Online AMC exams. AMC accredited.

MF/HF Marine Radio Online Course

Vhf marine radio online course, marine radio exam, sail australia’s spectacular east coast.

Join the adventure this winter and build your miles or gain a coastal skipper qualification through Blue Water Sailing School.

We have legs sailing from Melbourne to Sydney, Sydney to Mooloolaba, and the champagne leg from Mooloolaba, through the Great Sandy Straights and along the atolls and reefs of the Barrier Reef to the Whitsundays. We head north in June/July and southin September.

In the Whitsundays take a five-day liveaboard crew or skipper course, or join our crew for Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island Race Week.

Sailing offers some of the most amazing experiences in the world.  Learn to sail and a whole new world opens up!

Sail the Mediterranean or Whitsunday Islands. Race in iconic regattas, cruise the coast or even circumnavigate the world. When you sail, a whole new world of freedom and adventure are yours. 

Accessing the world of sailing can feel intimidating and overwhelming. There is a great deal to learn before you can handle a boat and crew safely with skill and confidence. Our students constantly rate us for our welcome, teaching style, calmness and hospitality.

At Blue Water Sailing School you not only learn to sail, but enjoy our resources, community and support to join the world of sailing. 

Contact Tim

To discuss your training needs:, gift vouchers.

Give the gift of sailing! 

Ideal for Experience Sailing afternoons or credit towards any of our sail training or adventures. Purchase, pay and download from our online shop here.

Go From Zero to Hero

Many of our trainees begin with no sailing experience, but they have a dream – to sail the Whitsundays, explore the Mediterranean or even sail the world. For some, it becomes an obsession.

We love taking people from zero to hero, as quickly and easily as possible. And, our pathway give you a taste of the sailing life along the way.

Going from Zero to Hero is not without its challenges. There’s lots to learn, it can be physically challenging and the responsibility can be overwhelming. But, we are here to guide you each step of the way and offer expertise, resources and support to make your dreams a reality. 

At the end, you will be confident, skilled and experienced – ready to own a own boat or charter on your own.

Internationally Recognised

Inte rnational Yacht Training  is the most internationally recognised boating standards system in the world. It offers the widest range of courses, ISO quality management and is truly international. 

Your Principal Instructor

Blue Water Sailing School Principal is Tim Foster. Now based in Melbourne, Tim has been sailing for over 40 years. He is a commercially certified skipper and RYA Cruising Instructor, with a Yachtmaster (Offshore), Sea Safety and Survival, Safety Boat Handling, YA Dinghy Instructor and many other qualifications. Former Commodore of the  Dobroyd Aquatic Club  where he won several club championships, divisional winner of the  Geelong Festival of Sails  and currently sailing at the  Royal Yacht Club of Victoria  and   Sandringham Yacht Club .

Professional Sailing Instructor

RYA and IYT qualified sailing instructor, with 40+ years of sailing experience, numerous other sailing qualifications and racing success.

Online Learning Specialist

Tim has over ten years' experience is online learning development and instructional design in the Australian tertiary sector.

International Certification

IYT Worldwide is the trusted standard of excellence in yacht training, maritime certification and safety around the world. IYT operates more boating courses with more government approvals through more schools, in more countries than any other boating organisation in the world.

Meet 'Boomer'

‘Boomer’ is a Beneteau 40.7, an ideal and very popular training vessel.  Certified by AMSA for training and cruising, she is a comfortable, safe and exciting platform for sail training. We love the roomy cockpit, wide gunwales and high boom. With all new sails, rig, engine and various upgrades she is well-maintained and feels like new. And she’s fast! She offers three double berths and two additional berths in the saloon. Now featuring a Nespresso coffee machine! If you want to learn to sail in Melbourne in comfort and style then hop on board!

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Fast Track

by David Hibbins | Apr 26, 2017

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Sunshine Sailing Australia | Learn to Sail

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Yachtmaster short courses

Plot your own course to yachtmaster or up-skill in specific areas with our short-course options..

Too busy to commit to a full-time Yachtmaster Fast-Track programme? Plan your own step-by-step pathway to certification in stages. 

If you are an experienced sailor looking to refresh your skills or fill in a few holes in your knowledge then select the short courses relevant to your needs.

 To save money book three or more courses on the same order and receive a 10% discount across the order.

Plan your passage to Yachtmaster.

1. select a stage​.

Select the stage relevant to your level of experience and certification. 

2. Choose courses​

Book your first course at a time and date that suits you. Add additional courses as required to achieve your stage goal.

3. Move to the next stage

Plan your next stage of training to achieve your desired level of certification.

Stage 1: Zero to Day Skipper / ICC

The RYA Dayskipper Practical certificate is the Stage 1 goal.  The courses below are all relevant to becoming  a competent Day Skipper. RYA Day Skipper is widely regarded as the recreational charter skipper qualification.

Day Skipper Fast Track

From beginner to RYA qualified Day Skipper in just four weeks! Gain a package of internationally recognized qualifications and enjoy an inspiring training adventure on Sydney Harbour.

Dinghy Sailing - Start Sailing (Level 1)

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the exciting sport of dinghy sailing. It is an intensive, fun-packed programme, starting with the core sailing skills.

Competent Crew - 5 days

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to yachting and leads to a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) certificate. The course is designed for novice sailors who want to become valuable and active crew members. By the end of the course, you should be able to steer, handle sails and mooring lines, and assist in all boat and sail handling procedures on board.

Day Skipper Shorebased Theory

The RYA Dayskipper shore-based course provides a comprehensive introduction to chartwork, navigation, meteorology, safety, and seamanship and provides the underpinning theory knowledge essential for recreational skippers. It will help you make informed decisions on the water and feel confident about being in charge.

Day Skipper Practical - 5 days

This comprehensive skills development course leads to the RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate. RYA Day Skipper certificate holders are entitled to an International Certificate for Operator of Pleasure Craft (ICC), which is generally required for a European yacht charter.

ACMA Marine Radio License (VHF, HF, GMDSS)

This one-day Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) approved course teaches you to use VHF (Short Range) as well as MF and HF (Long Range) radio for distress, urgency, safety, and general calls. The course includes GMDSS and DSC

Marine First Aid

This course has been specifically designed for those working in the marine environment and is ideal for boat owners, watersports instructors, yacht skippers, and crew. The course leads to an internationally recognised first aid qualification.

Stage 2: Day Skipper to Yachtmaster

Stage 2 is for competent Day Skippers who are on a path to Yachtmaster. The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate is the benchmark qualification for professional yacht captains and is strongly recommended for recreational skippers operating offshore.

Introduction to Spinnakers and Racing

Learn some tricks of the trade so you can be safe on the race course. Racing with spinnakers is exciting but it also presents new risks. Flying a kite requires the crew to perform a number of tasks in the correct order.

Basic Yacht Maintenance

This course provides a grounding in the essential maintenance tasks required to keep a modern cruising yacht on the water.

Yachtmaster Milebuilder and Qualifying Passages

Our Yachtmaster Milebuilders provide the opportunity to log sea miles and qualifying passages in preparation for the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate assessment. You will take part in a series of extended offshore passages by day and night, operating a watch system on board.

Yachtmaster Shorebased Theory

Upon completing this course, you will have a thorough knowledge of all the theory required for the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence.

Coastal Skipper Practical

The RYA Coastal Skipper course provides you with the opportunity to develop your seamanship, boat handling and navigation skills offshore by day and night. It is a stepping stone towards the Yachtmaster Certificates of Competence.

Yachtmaster Practical Skills

This course is for anyone at or above the RYA Day Skipper standard who wants to develop their boat handling, seamanship, and navigation skills and confidence as a skipper.

Yachtmaster Prep and Exam

This course leads to a practical assessment conducted independently by an RYA Yachtmaster Examiner. Depending on your prior skills and experience, your objective may be a Yachtmaster Offshore or Coastal Certificate of Competence.

Stage 3: Yachtmaster Commercial

To work as a professional yachtmaster, you need the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate and some additional courses for commercial endorsement of your qualification. Details of the required courses are at the bottom of this  page .

To work as a certified Yacht Cruising Instructor at over 2400 registered RYA schools in 58 countries, you need to pass your Yachtmaster Offshore examination, get a commercial endorsement, and complete a Yacht Cruising Instructor course.

AS/ISAF Offshore Safety and Sea Survival

This two-day course meets the requirements of World Sailing (formerly ISAF), RYA and AS for crew planning to take part in offshore yacht races like the Sydney to Hobart race. The course is also highly recommended for anyone going to sea for any purpose.

Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR)

Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR) is a compulsory online course for qualified RYA Yachtmasters who require a Commercial Endorsement. Ignore the dates shown here!

RYA Diesel Engines

This course gives you an overall awareness of the central systems of a marine diesel engine. We teach you how to take simple measures to prevent mechanical breakdown at sea and rectify defects that do not require workshop support.

RYA Powerboat Level 2

This course provides intensive training in the practical skills and theoretical knowledge the small boat driver needs. You will learn to drive our rigid inflatable rescue craft.

Yacht Cruising Instructor

The RYA Cruising Instructor course is for professional, commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmasters who want to become accredited to teach RYA courses at a network of over 2,400 RYA-recognised training centres in 58 countries.

Stage 4: Yachtmaster Ocean Theory and Passage​

Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Theory

The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shore-based week teaches you ocean passage planning and celestial navigation, including the use of a sextant. You will leave the course confident that you have the knowledge and skills required to navigate an ocean passage using traditional methods.

Yachtmaster Ocean Theory & Qualifying Passage

This course prepares experienced skippers for the prestigious RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence. The programme combines the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory course with an exhilarating Pacific ocean qualifying passage.

Yachtmaster Ocean Fast Track

The Yachtmaster Ocean Fast Track in Sydney first trains you for your RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. Then, you go on to learn celestial navigation and complete an ocean-qualifying passage in preparation for the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean oral exam.

Try Yachting

Discover yachting, yachtmaster fast-track.

Accelerated courses, meticulously planned to take you from zero to Yachtmaster in a matter of weeks.

 A Flying Fish Yachtmaster Fast Track course is a professional sailing programme packed with training and adventure. 

Australia's top Yachtmaster Courses

Professional instructors and fabulous yachts.

Flying Fish employ a team of highly qualified, friendly and professional instructors and operate a range of fabulous training yachts.

Worldwide employment opportunities

A commercially endorsed Yachtmaster qualification is a passport to employment in the yachting industry.

Find your next adventure

explore our full list of courses in the course catalogue.

try our course search to find what you're after.

Middle Harbour Yacht Club, Lower Parriwi Road, The Spit, Mosman, NSW 2088.

Official RYA training centre

Flying Fish Sail Academy teach the world recognised RYA methods.

Australian Sailing

We're partnered with Australian Sailing.

Flying Fish Sailing teach the world recognised RYA methods.

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RYA International Qualifications

Our courses.

An RYA Yacht Master 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 courses in the cruising program, there is no formal training to complete in order to become a Yacht Master. Instead, provided that you have sufficient experience and seatime, you can put yourself forward for an exam to test your skills and knowledge.

Many Yacht Master candidates choose to book themselves into our RYA yacht training centre for some tailor-made tuition to prepare them for the exam, it is advisable to have knowledge to the level of our RYA Yacht Master shore based course before attempting this exam. It is strongly recommended that you take a preparation course prior to taking the practical examinations.

The scheme comprises a series of practical courses, complemented by our navigation and other specialist short courses. You can use them simply to increase your knowledge and confidence, or as a progression to the RYA Certificates of Competence which are recognised by maritime authorities worldwide.

The ideal introduction is the Australian Sailing – Discover Sailing Competent Crew program which includes the  Keelboat  Start Crewing and Start Helming courses courses on our International J24 yachts. You will get a better feel of sailing and you will learn to sail much faster than starting on our bigger yachts. Its a bit like learning to drive a car, you don’t start in a truck first.  Alternatively if your heart is set on starting on our beautiful bigger yachts the choice is yours and we then suggest the 5 day competent crew course.

Our courses generally take place over five days.    The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (home of the famous Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race) has been our base for 40 years on beautiful Sydney Harbour.   You can enter our program at any level, provided that you have the correct level of experience beforehand.

Recently the RYA have collaborated with Navionics to develop new resources for teaching electronic navigation in the classroom. With their help, we have converted the RYA training charts into the Navionics format and together Electronic Navigation Resources Booklets. Watch the RYA video on their collaboration with Navionics here .

It is important to be realistic when assessing your current experience and abilities and, if in doubt, discuss your requirements with our training centre before booking your course.

Venturing Overseas?

International Certificate if Competence ICC As the skipper of a vessel, you must ensure that you are aware of any requirement for qualifications before venturing into another country’s jurisdiction. The requirement for a certificate of competence varies from country to country. Sometimes they are required for coastal waters, sometimes for inland waters, sometimes for neither and sometimes for both. Although only guaranteed to be accepted in countries that have adopted the relevant UN Resolution, the ICC International Certificate of Competence is a useful document to carry, and until March 1st 2011 this was unavailable to Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents.

We have been sailing with these legends for over 5 years now. Amazing service, learning experiences, value, and professionalism. They make sailing FUN whilst delivering practical learning, where one of us has English as a second language.

We have made so many friends out on the water on their excellent range of boats with instructors Terry, Gardo, Phil and Damien – not to mention great introductions in the CYCA.  They have recently assisted with great advice as we purchased and renovated our Marten 49 cruiser-racer. Later in the year –  I need to come and do the theory for Coastal / Ocean Yachtmaster.

2.5 years ago I moved to Australia from the UK on my own. As 'Billy no mates' (as I left friends and family behind), I spent my first full day in Australia at a  sailing lesson  Pacific Sailing School  . I had lessons, did my dayskipper course, various boat deliveries, raced on as many days of the week as possible whilst still being able to earn a living, with the goal of learning to sail as fast as possible, and working towards doing the  # rolexsydneyhobart  race, one of the world's most famous offshore races. Not only have I fulfilled a dream, but we won on phs handicap, came third out of all non professional crews (Corinthians), and to top it off I won 'Best on Boat'. Literally couldn't be happier!!  😍 🎉 All of this wouldn't have been possible without my Aussie sailing family and friends through the advice, support, introductions, and generally making sailing so much fun. Thank you!!  😘  

-- World Sailing Safety and Sea Survival Course Review --

"Myself and the crew of the Winning Appliances completed the World Sailing Safety and Sea Survival course prior to this year’s Sydney to Hobart race. Terry was highly professional and the course was extremely valuable, as it helped everyone to understand their responsibilities and practice strategies and procedures to prevent and address emergencies at sea. I would highly recommend this course and Terry Wise to anyone considering doing an offshore race"

Yachtmaster – Preparation for Exam

• RYA Courses

Practical Courses

4 day live aboard course Starts at 9.00am on day one and finishes 4.30pm on the final day

RYA Yachtmaster is the only professional qualification that is accredited by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and is emulated throughout the world. This internationally recognised certificate is required by commercial yacht skippers on sailing and motor vessels under 24 metres and as entry to Mega yacht qualifications. Also, many recreational sailors take RYA Yachtmaster exams as a measure of their competence.

A Yachtmaster is “a yachtsman or woman competent to skipper a cruising yacht on any passage that can be completed without the use of astro navigation.” This means coastal and offshore passages within 150 miles of a safe harbour. These passages which are close to land or across shipping lanes are the most difficult, particularly if the weather is rough or the visibility poor.

This course is a preparation course for your final RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Examination. The examination is conducted by an independent examiner conducted non-stop over a day/night period.

Previous experience necessary: To take the RYA Yachtmaster exam you need a Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate , a current Senior First Aid Certificate and a minimum sea time of 50 days, 5 days as skipper, 2500 miles, 5 passages over 60 miles, including 2 over night and 2 as skipper. Remember that the examination is essentially a test of ability to take charge of a yacht, so your experience as skipper is most important.

This course assumes that you are completed the  Yachtmaster Theory  course or have equivalent knowledge.

It is an intensive course designed for experienced crew with sufficient on the water experience. This program is not for beginners.

What do I bring? Wear clothes suitable for the day and rubber soled shoes, preferably with a white or light coloured sole. A cap, sunglasses, bottle of water and sun screen are also a good idea. You will also need a change of clothes, toilet kit, sleeping bag and any special medicine you may require packed in a flexible soft bag. We provide you with wet weather gear (with the exception of boots) if required.

How long is the course? 4 days live aboard.

What about meals? Most meals are provided (except 2 meals ashore – dinner at pub or restaurant). If you have special dietary needs, please be sure to indicate this in advance when you register for the course.

For those looking for super yacht accreditation, the requirements are RYA Yachtmaster and STCW10 certificates. We do not teach the STCW10 courses. For information on STCW10 courses, please contact Gerry Fitzgerald at Offshore Maritime Training Centre in Brisbane, Queensland on 0428 749 166. Or call the Australian Maritime College in Launceston, Tasmania on 03 6335 4711.

• Course Diagram
• Introductory Course
• Intermediate Course
• Passage Course
• RYA Competent Crew
• RYA Day Skipper Practical
• RYA Coastal Skipper Practical
• Yachtmaster – Preparation for exam
• Private tuition on your boat
• Prepare to Charter

Yacht Training Victoria

Royal Yacht Club of Victoria Marina 120 Nelson Place Williamstown Melbourne 3016 Victoria Australia

Postal Address: Yacht Training Victoria C/O Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, 120 Nelson Place Williamstown Victoria 3016 Australia Mobile 0408554597

[email protected] For bookings please use the Booking Form

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