Yachtmaster Ocean Fast Track

After passing your RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean exam, you’ll be qualified to skipper a commercial sailing vessel up to 200GT on unlimited passages.

Our programme combines expert training, clear progression, and a memorable Australian sailing experience.

Course schedule

The programme is built from individual training courses arranged in a balanced, progressive schedule.

Training time includes live-aboard periods, day sailing, and shore-based theory classes.

Weekends are generally free, with optional dinghy sailing, windsurfing, or joining Flying Fish weekend courses as a mate assisting one of our qualified skippers. Racing opportunities with Middle Harbour Yacht Club owners are often available.

September courses include a 4-week Christmas break, with the Lord Howe Island passage running Hobart–Sydney. February courses run continuously, with the passage starting and finishing in Sydney.

📌 See our FAQ for the full week-by-week schedule.

World-class sailing destinations

The Yachtmaster Ocean Fast Track runs from Flying Fish Sail Academy at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, Sydney — one of the world’s best sailing locations.

Expect varied weather, stunning seascapes, and regular encounters with dolphins, whales, and, of course, flying fish. This is offshore sailing at its best.

⛵ Sail Sydney Harbour, passing the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Explore the New South Wales coast with passages to:
– Jervis Bay (south)
– Pittwater, Seal Rocks, Coffs Harbour (north)

Ocean Passage – Lord Howe Island

Complete your ocean-qualifying passage to Lord Howe Island, with opportunities for diving, snorkelling and exploring, weather permitting, before returning to Sydney.

Top-quality yachts & equipment

Our training fleet includes:

– Beneteau 40.7 cruiser racers
– Beneteau First 40
– SV Arctos (Radford 55), built for Southern Ocean conditions
– Laser Bahia & RS Zest dinghies
– Highfield RIBs for training and support

Our waterside classroom at MHYC provides a fully equipped, modern learning environment.

Expert Instructors

Our experienced instructors deliver friendly, professional training throughout your course.

Where to stay ashore

If you're travelling to Sydney you will need accommodation ashore for the duration of your course.

We offer limited places in Flying Fish crew apartments in Manly, close to the beach and local amenities, where you can stay with fellow trainees, soak up the coastal lifestyle, and make the most of your time off the water.

You’re also welcome to arrange your own accommodation.

📌 See our FAQ section below for details.

• While no previous yachting experience is required to join the programme, any background in sailing, dinghy sailing, windsurfing, or general boating will be highly beneficial and will help you progress more quickly and confidently through the course.
• All seafarers seeking commercial certification under the MCA or AMSA must have full-colour vision.

• Tuition, logbook, training resources, and certification
• Life jackets and safety harnesses / Wet weather gear available to borrow
• Shared cabin accommodation and meals during live-aboard passages / Bathrooms on all training vessels
• Free weekend dinghy and windsurfing classes (Fast Track students)

Additional costs

• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam fee (~A$465), paid to the RYA on exam day
• RYA Yachtmaster Ocean oral exam (if applicable), paid directly to the examiner
• Flight Sydney–Hobart (September start only)

Qualifications and experience

See the FAQ section below for the full list of qualifications and experience gained.

• Graduate as an RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore with your Yachtmaster Ocean Theory certificate and a completed qualifying ocean passage. You will be ready to apply for the Yachtmaster Ocean oral exam (arranged separately).
• You will meet the requirements for a commercial endorsement on your Yachtmaster Offshore certificate and for the AMSA Sailing Master Offshore qualification. A commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Offshore allows you to skipper vessels up to 200GT, up to 150 miles from a safe haven. Once you gain Yachtmaster Ocean, this becomes unlimited by distance.
• If you plan to work as an RYA instructor, you will also need the Yacht Cruising Instructor course.

• Cameron Pimentel
• Yachtmaster Ocean Fast Track
• 
• “ I've been lucky enough to be hired by an incredible carbon ketch based out of New Zealand. So many thanks again to George and everyone else at Flying Fish! ”
• Willem Rootselaar
• Yachtmaster Offshore Fast Track
• 
• “ This has been the greatest life experience I ever had!! and with the result: Yachtmaster! Now I'm a REAL Sailor! ”
• Lyndsay Barnes 
• Dayskipper to Yachtmaster Fast Track 
• 
• “ Joining the Flying Fish Yachtmaster programme was one of the best decisions I ever made, My new office is floating on Sydney Harbour. If you’re considering doing the course, sign up now and don’t give it a second thought. But be warned, it could change your life. ”

• Booking information
• If you're booking more than 60 days in advance, you can secure your place with a 10% holding deposit using the links above. This deposit reserves your spot until the remaining balance is due 60 days before the course or event.
• The deposit is non-refundable but can be credited to another Flying Fish course or event with 60 days' notice.
• Limited spaces; we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
• View our terms and conditions here
• Course programme 
• Week 1 -  RYA Powerboat Level 2 (2 days) / Dinghy Sailing Level 1/2 (2 days) /Marine First Aid (1 day) / ACMA  Marine Radio Operator (1 day)
• Week 2 -  RYA Competent Crew (5 days aboard)
• Week 3 -  RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Theory 
• Week 4 -  RYA Day Skipper Practical  (5 days aboard)
• Week 5 -  Racing and Spinnakers (2 days) / Basic Yacht Maintenance (3 days) / Safety and Sea Survival (2 days)
• Week 6, 7, 8  - Yachtmaster Milebuilder and Qualifying Passages (16 days live-aboard) / PPR (Self-paced online)
• Week 9 -  RYA Yachtmaster Shorebased Theory (6 days) 
• Week 10 - RYA Coastal Skipper Practical (5 days live-aboard)
• Week 11 - Yachtmaster Practical Skills (5 days)
• Week 12 - RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Theory (6 days)
• Week 13, 14, 15 - Ocean passage planning (2 days) / Yachtmaster Ocean Qualifying Passage (16 days live-aboard)
• Week 16 - Yachtmaster Prep and Exam Week - (5 days aboard) 
• The above programme may be run in a different order, but the training units are correct
• Qualifications and experience 
  • Approx 3700 sea miles logged
  • RYA Competent Crew
  • RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Theory
  • RYA Day Skipper Practical
  • RYA Powerboat Level 2
  • TCP Marine First Aid (Workplace Approved)
  • RYA Diesel Engine certificate
  • Basic Yacht Maintenance 
  • RYA Yachtmaster qualifying passages/watchkeeper experience 
  • RYA Dinghy Sailing Level 1 or 2
  • 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 fitness requirements
  • AS/ISAF Offshore Safety and Sea Survival
  • RYA Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR)
  • AMSA Sailing Master Offshore NC - subject to meeting medical fitness requirements
  • AMSA Coxswain Grade 3 - subject to meeting medical fitness requirements
  • RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Theory
  • RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Qualifying sights 
  • RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Qualifying passage
• 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
• What are the work opportunities once I am qualified?
• Find out more about job opportunities on yachts here