Yachtmaster Coastal 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 programme 

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.

📌 Please refer to our FAQ section below for a comprehensive overview of the week-by-week training schedule. 

An unmatched sailing location

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!

Top-quality yachts & equipment

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!

For more details, check out the FAQ section below.

The course is designed for newcomers to sailing and for anyone with previous experience who would like to recap basic skills in a superb sailing environment.

• If you leave the course as a qualified, commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Coastal, you will be ready to start work as a skipper.
• Yachtmaster Coastal is a great starting point, but operations are limited to 20 miles from port, so you will find you need to upgrade to Yachtmaster Offshore quite quickly.
• Check out Yachtmaster Offshore Fast Track for an ab-initio pathway to the Yachtmaster Offshore / Master of Yachts 200 certification and the AMSA Sailing Master Offshore (NC)

• 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 at no extra cost 
• 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.

• Course programme 
  • Week 1 -  RYA Competent Crew (5 days aboard)
  • Week 2 -  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 3 -   RYA Day Skipper Practical  (5 days aboard)
  • Week 4 -  RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Theory (5 days shore-based)
  • Week 5 -  Racing and Spinnakers (2 days) / Basic Yacht Maintenance (3 days shore-based)
  • Week 6 -  RYA Yachtmaster Shorebased Theory (6 days shore-based)
  • Week 7 -  RYA Coastal Skipper Practical (5 days live-aboard)
  • Week 8 -  Yachtmaster Practical Skills (5 days) / Safety and Sea Survival (2 days)
  • 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 900 sea miles logged
  • RYA Competent Crew
  • RYA Day Skipper Shorebased
  • RYA Day Skipper Practical
  • RYA Powerboat Level 2
  • TCP Marine First Aid
  • RYA Diesel Engine certificate
  • Basic Yacht Maintenance
  • RYA Dinghy 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
  • AS/ISAF Offshore Safety and Sea Survival
  • RYA Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR)
  • RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence (Sail)
  • AMSA Sailing Master Coastal NC - subject to meeting medical fitness requirements
  • AMSA Coxswain Grade 3 - subject to meeting medical fitness 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 conveniently located, just a short bus ride or Uber ride away from our Middle Harbour Yacht Club training centre. These apartments offer a sociable and 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 stay at Backpackers in Manly – offering basic accommodation for those on a budget, with rates starting at approximately A$60 per 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 the worst, 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 before the course start date, at which point the remaining balance of the course fees will be due. 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