Hi All,

I have spent a bit of time poking about in this forum and I must say there is a wealth of knowledge on here, and it's nice to see an Aust forum which has this amount of depth.

Now to the question at hand, I am looking for people's thoughts in regards to the completion of Coxswain ticket (NC2) vs yachtmaster? the reason for this as in around 5 years I plan on heading off with my partner to sail from the Caribbean back to Aust and in preparation for this I need to develop my seamanship skills and I think both of these courses offer this.

Both courses cost around the same, and whilst I appreciate the the coxswain is a commercial ticket more geared towards power vessels I would imagine that many of skills are applicable to yachts and the ability to pick up commercial work really appeals to me. However the Yachtmaster offers greater in depth skills applicable to passage making so maybe a better option? I'm interested to hear peoples oppions and feedback on both options?

Lastly a little about me, I have grown up with Boats and spent over 15 years sailing in different forms from flying ants to 16ft skiffs. I feel confident with my sailing abilities but I haven't done a huge amount of offshore sailing which will be changing soon. As such I am looking to these courses to expand my skills for offshore journeys.

A Thanks to all who read & respond

As far as I know neither qualification allows you to work overseas. If you want to do that you will have to look elsewhere, as noted above, to a Master V ticket.

I don't have much experience of the Coxswains program but have done the Yachtmaster Offshore. If it is sailing skills you are after it is valuable for building skills quickly as you experience most situations that can be trained for in a short time. A bit like doing a half dozen deliveries compressed into a couple of weeks.

I did mine with a Sydney sailing school who were pretty hopeless on the theory. I would recommend you go to a place that others recommend.

You need to prove you have suitable experience before you can do the Yachtmaster Offshore program. I can't remember what is suitable but you might need a Competent Crew and/or Yachtmaster Coastal and a few thousand miles and so many days and nights. It will be on the website.

In my view, offshore sailing experience is a must before you try it on your own. While sailing isn't difficult neither is brain surgery to a brain surgeon, and they don't go solo first up. You will benefit greatly by being out there with competent people so you can gain confidence in a variety of conditions before you do it yourself. When you aren't confident that you know what you are doing the problems get magnified. When you have survived a few major blows, and long periods of sail slapping calms, and know what to expect you will be much more competent.

You will have a steep learning curve just getting from port to port on an international passage. Best if you aren't learning to sail at the same time.

LittleBoris said..

Spiggie thanks for the response, I am currently well employed in construction so no real need to become a boat nigger as you say. I agree about getting out there and spending time in boat which I plan on doing.

Morningbird thanks for the insight, will defiantly look at the yachtmaster coastal for the moment as I am keen to learn the basic's of navigation and get more experience out there. After years in dingy's & skiffs I defiantly know how to sail smaller boats but need to coastal experience so will spend some time crewing and I am in the process of looking to buy a small yacht 24-30ft to start learning the systems of a bigger boat.

If anybody needs crew out of Sydney let me know, happy to pitch in as needed.

Cheers

I am north side Sydney, boat is in Pittwater. Are you in this vicinity?

Yacht master rya is international. You need it for eg to be a bosun on a private yacht and for some deckhand jobs. Ive done courses through rya. Theyre international. I can and do hire boats anywhere in the world. Did it in france but its recognised worldwide. The yacht master would be great. Id love to do it for what youd learn. Passage planning etc. Pretty sure its over 3 days something like that in australia. Ill do it one day when ive got a spare 5k. Done most of it in practice covering 40k nm doing my private yacht job. Forgotten most of the good stuff though (navigation) was the funnest part of the job. Now i just use navionics! Naughty...
I can reccomend all sail in church point. They have courses galore and some nice boats. They cover navigating and general sailing. I did 1 lesson but gave up as my boat was moored right next to the school. I just wanted to sail on my own and was clocking up 30+hrs per week so was learning by doing alot. Pm me if you wanna come out with me anytime.

That my friends is that so before anybody gets ideas of being skipper on a luxury charter yacht in the Caribbean, it is not just a matter of doing a course and being "Have Sextant Will Travel".

The coxwains ticket is probably not worth bothering with if your looking for paid job. Go straight for a Master class 5 commercial. This will enable you to cart about a reasonable number of passengers on larger vessels and these people are in demand. Until recently I had a lifetime Master class 5 but when I retired it was swapped for a motor boat license. I could have kept it if I undated the first aid etc but I saw no need. There are jobs with the navy target towing vessels and ferries etc with a 5 but the coxswains its more the marine taxis etc. The coxswain and class 5 licenses are pretty much only for NZ and Australia. For International work I would go straight to the recommended courses as above.

I've done both, well almost!

Only had the small boat practical to do for Yachtmaster and when a I approached an examiner at a Sydney boat show he told me I would FAIL my first attempt!

After a bit of discussion about that I told him, and through him to the AYF, to stick it you know where.

Reckoned that with that attitude I had no need for it.

Most of my AYF stuff was signed off during my coxswain course, as the teacher was an AYF instructor.

I agree with those who say if you want to work, a coxswains ticket [and pay] is not enough, Master 5 plus MED ? is a minimum.

I had exactly the same problem with TAFE when I wanted to upgrade from restricted Master V to open V. They had expanded the original 5 subjects (Ship's knowlege, Nautical knowlege, Coastal navigation, Radar and Safety at Sea.) into about 50 different modules.

I was totally frustrated with them and spoke to our Port Captain who said if I wanted him to examine me he would do it with out me having to do the whole TAFE thing. No problems.

Only other requirements were radio operator and first aid certificates.