Day Skipper to Yachtmaster Fast Track

Flying Fish has been training professional Yachtmasters for more than twenty years. Our customers include men and women of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds.

Our innovative course programme provides an exhilarating mix of training and a reliable route to certification. We promise you expert tuition, a stimulating learning environment and a great Australian sailing adventure.

Course schedule

The programme includes individual training courses integrated into a balanced and progressive training schedule. Training time is divided between live-aboard periods, day sailing courses, and shore-based theory classes.

Weekends are generally free, but we encourage you to participate in our dinghy sailing and windsurfing classes (at no cost) to develop essential sailing skills or to join a Flying Fish weekend course as a mate to one of our qualified yacht instructors. For racing enthusiasts, there is also the chance to go yacht racing with owners at Middle Harbour Yacht Club.

📌 See our FAQ section below for details of the week-by-week training schedule. 

Fantastic sailing area

Your training takes place in a spectacular setting at the Flying Fish Sail Academy, based at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, Sydney—one of the world’s best sailing locations.

You'll sail through Sydney Harbour, past the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and venture offshore along the stunning New South Wales coastline.

Destinations may include:

✅ Jervis Bay (south) – Pristine beaches and sheltered waters.
✅ Pittwater & Seal Rocks (north) – Breathtaking scenery and excellent sailing conditions.
✅ Coffs Harbour (north) – A superb offshore passage experience.

Weather conditions vary from warm sea breezes to cool southerly busters. You will experience magnificent seascapes, dolphins, whales and, of course, flying fish. This is offshore sailing at its best!

Equipment and instructors 

We operate a fleet of excellent training vessels, including:

⛵ Beneteau 40.7 cruiser racers – Ideal for offshore and inshore training.
⛵ Beneteau First 40 – A modern performance cruiser-racer.
⛵ SV Arctos (Radford 55) – Our flagship yacht, built for Southern Ocean conditions.
🚤 Laser Bahia & RS Zest dinghies – Perfect for developing core sailing skills.
🚤 Highfield RIBs – Used for early-stage training and support.

Our waterside classroom at Middle Harbour Yacht Club is fully equipped with modern teaching aids, providing the perfect space for shore-based learning.

Expert Instructors

Our experienced and highly qualified instructors will guide you every step of the way with the friendly, professional teaching style that defines Flying Fish. 

Where to stay ashore

If you're coming from outside Sydney, you'll need accommodation for the duration of your course.

We offer limited spots in Flying Fish crew apartments in Manly, just steps from one of Australia’s most stunning beaches. Stay with fellow trainees, soak up the coastal lifestyle, and make the most of your time off the water.

Prefer to arrange your own accommodation? No problem!

📌 See our FAQ section below for more details

• Tuition, logbook, pre-course reading, training resources, and certification. 
• Life jackets and safety harnesses are provided and we can loan you wet weather clothing if required.
• Shared cabin accommodation and meals onboard on live-aboard passages 
• All vessels have an enclosed bathroom on board.
• Fast track customers can join our weekend dinghy and windsurf classes free of charge
• RYA YM exam fees (approximately $465) are not included and are payable directly to the RYA on the exam day. 

Qualifications and experience

For a full list of the qualifications and experience acquired on the programme see the Faq section below

• You are confident acting as skipper in sheltered waters by day.
• You have logged at least 300 miles at sea, living onboard for a minimum of ten days.
• If you are more experienced, contact Flying Fish and let us help you plan a bespoke programme to suit you. 
• If you have less experience, please see our Yachtmaster Offshore Fast-track course. 
• All seafarers applying for certification as Commercial Yachtmasters, Deck Officers, or AMSA Sailing Masters must be medically fit and possess full-colour vision.

• If you leave the Yachtmaster Offshore Fast Track as a qualified, commercially endorsed Yachtmaster you will be ready to start work as a skipper.
• If you want to work as an instructor at an RYA school you will need to complete a Yacht Cruising Instructor course.
• To qualify for your Yachtmaster Ocean / Master of Yachts 200 gt (unlimited) certification see here.

• Course programme 
• Week 1 -  Racing and Spinnakers (2 days) / Basic Yacht Maintenance (3 days)
• Week 2 -  RYA Yachtmaster Shorebased Theory (6 days)
• Week 3 - RYA Coastal Skipper Practical (5 days live-aboard)
• Week 4 - Yachtmaster Practical Skills (5 days) / Safety and Sea Survival (2 days)
• Week 5,6,7 - Yachtmaster Milebuilder and Qualifying Passages (16 days live-aboard) / PPR 
• Week 8 - RYA Powerboat Level 2 (2 days) / Marine Radio Operator (1 day) / Marine First Aid (1 day)/ PPR (Self-paced online)
• Week 9 - Yachtmaster Prep and Exam Week - (5 days live-aboard)
• The above programme may be run in a different order, but the training units are correct

• Qualifications and experience 
  • Approx 2,200 sea miles logged
  • RYA Powerboat Level 2
  • TCP Marine First Aid (Workplace Approved)
  • RYA Diesel Engine certificate
  • Basic Yacht Maintenance 
  • RYA Yachtmaster qualifying passages/watchkeeper experience 
  • Intro Racing and Spinnaker handling course
  • ACMA VHF/HF GMDSS Marine Radio Operator Licence
  • RYA Yachtmaster Shorebased Theory
  • RYA Coastal Skipper
  • RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence (Sail) - subject to meeting medical requirements
  • AS/ISAF Offshore Safety and Sea Survival
  • RYA Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR)
  • AMSA Sailing Master Offshore NC - subject to meeting medical requirements 

• Where to stay ashore
  • Flying Fish crew apartments - stay with other Flying Fish customers on one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches. Our crew apartments in Manly are comfortably furnished for shared living and only a short bus ride or Uber ride to our Middle Harbour Yacht Club training centre. These apartments offer a sociable, relaxed atmosphere ideal for building friendships. Room share (twin): A$790 per week / single room: A$1190 per week. Book your accommodation package when you book your course. We only offer accommodation packages for the whole duration of the programme. 
  • Book your own Backpackers in Manly – basic accommodation for those on a budget (approx. A$60/night for a 4-6 berth mixed dormitory). Popular hostels include Manly Backpackers, Boardrider Backpackers, and Stoke Beach House. But be sure to do your research and check the latest Google reviews 
  • Book your room or apartment on Airbnb for flexibility and privacy, with various options available in Manly, Fairlight, Balgowlah, and Mosman. All are an easy bus ride to the Flying Fish training centre at Middle Harbour Yacht Club
  • Check out Flatmates.com.au, which has listings across the Northern Beaches and Mosman for shared living—an excellent choice for a cost-effective, community-focused stay. 
  • It's also worth checking Facebook groups like Manly Living for additional rooms and recommendations on living in the area.

• Visas for international students
• Apart from Australians and New Zealanders, everyone travelling to Australia must apply for a visa in advance. Don't apply for a student visa. These are only available for government-sanctioned higher education courses at universities and other tertiary establishments.  Tourist visas or working holiday visas (for those seeking employment) are acceptable.

• What happens if I fail the Yachtmaster exams?
• We do our best to make sure that you don't. However, if the worst comes to pass, you'll leave with an action plan to complete.  Typically, this involves revising any missing skills or knowledge and then retaking the exam.
• Over 90% of our Yachtmaster candidates pass the first time.

• Can I customise the course or complete the programme over a longer period?
• Yes, if you would like to complete a personalised course programme either by omitting specific training units or by spreading the course out over a year or more, please contact us with your requirements.

• Booking information
• To secure your place in the course, please pay a 10% holding deposit via the links provided above. This deposit will reserve your position until sixty days prior to the course start date, at which point the remaining balance of the course fees will be required. Please be aware that the deposit is non-refundable; however, it can be transferred to any other course or event offered by Flying Fish. We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment, as spaces are limited. 

• What are the work opportunities once I am qualified?
• Find out more about job opportunities on yachts here 

• Liam Wilson - Croatia
• Day Skipper to Yachtmaster Fast Track
• 
• “ Big thanks to Russ, Andy, and the team for helping me with my Yachtmaster! Jim was a fantastic coach, and I have to say I love how all the staff are so welcoming and knowledgeable. It's a really positive and supportive environment down there. I worked with Charis and Cash in Croatia last year and was more than happy to recommend Flying Fish to them—they also had a fantastic experience with you!
• Li Peihong - China
• Yachtmaster Offshore Fast Track
• 
• “ Flying Fish is the best choice to learn and enjoy sailing. Authentic British style management, a friendly coaching team, a loving student atmosphere, a tailored teaching program, and a glimpse of the southern hemisphere's deep blue charm. ”
• Daniel Eatough - UK/Australia
• Day Skipper to Yachtmaster Fast Track
• 
• “I wanted to say a massive thank you because just two years ago, I did my first yachting course with you guys in Sydney and completed my Day skipper. Later that year, I completed my Yachtmaster and loved it. 
  Last week, I successfully completed my RYA Cruising Instructor course in Gibraltar”