RYA Yachtmaster Handbook

I bought this book when I was preparing to do the RYA Coastal Yachtmaster theory assessment. Although it’s aimed more at the practical assessment (which I will do one day), I found it a useful supplement to the theory course materials and it brought things to life. For example, the theory course talks about the importance of keeping the crew happy. This book talks about what that means in practice: lots of cups of tea but also a skipper who knows what he or she is doing and doesn’t put the crew’s lives in jeopardy. It covers all the key topics of the course, including plotting an estimated position and course to steer, working up a pilot plan and developing a passage plan. The text is straightforward and supported by very clear graphics. Definitely recommended.

Must have book of your doing the yachtmaster theory course

Super Read

This is an easy to read depiction of the mindset and standard required to become a Yachmaster. As a Cruising Instructor, it has been very helpful using the anecdotes to identify common pitfalls.

Just what I wanted

Not bad as such, but it felt incomplete and rushed though possibly I bought this not understanding its intended purpose. I have been keen on learning more about the RYA qualification and getting some formal qualifications and training in yachting/seamanship and hoped this would be a good starting point. It was more of an index to the other books that are really required for learning those skills. Hence, not exactly a waste of time/money, but it felt like a detailed summary of the areas one needs to learn but not enough that a chapter actually taught anything. Consequently, if you're buying this to simply know what yacht master's should know then it's fine but if you're trying to actually learn then you may get better mileage if you skip it and buy the RYA books on the individual areas like navigation and radios instead.

I had expected a comprehensive review that would enable a reader to pass the yachtmaster exam but it was patchy -altough interesting.

Useful, but not comprehensive