Yachtmaster Fast Track FAQ

Q> Where are all the vessels located?

A> All our sailing,  motor vessels, training equipment and training facilities are located in Marina Bay Marina Gibraltar, we do visit regularly other other parts of the world but our vessels are permanently moored in Gibraltar within 70m of the shoreside facility.

Q> How many students per yacht?

A> 4 students per yacht Maximum Guaranteed. Why is this important? Most if not all other providers place up to 7 to 11 Students per yacht.  

Q> How old are the Yachts?

A> All the sailing yachts were replaced with brand new high performance yachts in June 2016 at a cost of one Million Euros.  This reduces down time due to faults and offers a completely un rivalled Fast Track experience.

Q> What level of instruction will I have?

A> A Yachtmaster instructor can teach up to the level of Yachtmaster, a cruising instructor is still on a probationary period so can only teach the basic levels up to Day skipper, you will achieve this level in your first 3 weeks.  Many Fast Track providers cut their costs by proving only cruising instructors throughout your fast track. (some centers provide non-instructor certified yachtmasters as your instructor) 

Q> Do you provide shore-based facilities?

A> Yes,  We provide our students with 2 good sized classrooms, offices and mess rooms and plenty of quiet shore side study space.  In total we provide our students with access to over £2M worth of training equipment and facilities.

Q>What accreditations do Allabroad Hold?

A>  Both RYA and MCA accreditations. 

Q> What qualifications do the instructors hold?

A> For your Fast Track training ALL your instruction will be delivered by FULL Yachtmaster Instructors (YMI) 

Q> What Training or Certificates do I get on the 15 week Yachtmaster Offshore Pro course?

A> On successful completion of the course:

1. Day Skipper Practical
2. Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Theory
3. Coastal Skipper Practical
4. VHF Radio Licence
5. RYA Radar
6. RAY Diesel Engine
7. MCA STCW Personal Survival Techniques
8. MCA STCW Elementary First Aid
9. MCA STCW Fire Prevention & Fighting
10. STCW PSSR
11. STCW Security awareness
12. RYA PPR, ENG1 Medical & Comercial Endorsement
13. RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Sail

Q> What are the chances of finding work afterwards?

A> So long as we know from the outset what direction you want to go, we can start the recruitment process as soon as you start your training. Those who seek work after the course are usually successful within the first month of passing,  and we have a growing number of partners who are looking for Allabroad Yachtmasters.

Q> Where do I sleep?

A> You will sleep on the yachts. Accommodation is provided throughout your training including weekends and during theory elements.

Q> What do we eat?

A> At the start of each week you will be provided with an allowance, you have to shop for your own boat as a group, and do your own cooking and cleaning.  Our allowance, we believe is the highest in the industry at £40 per person on board including skipper.  

Q> How long do we spend at sea?

A> You will spend virtually every night in a Marina, a few nights at anchor on passage and some overnight watch system passage trips - the longest passages will be 36 to 48 hours. Most training takes place during a working day with extra courses on some weekends. You do get some free time.

Q> Where do we sail?

A> You will visit, Portugal, Spain, and of course Gibraltar. The furthest you will venture into the Med, if weather dictates, is Malaga since we prefer to head along the Atlantic tidal side for more challenging and productive training.

Q> What if I fall behind with the training?

A> No problem, the course is moulded to suit each individual, you will have the opportunity to sail with people at all levels and your training course is bespoke to your individual learning requirements. If you are finding any elements of your course more challenging, then extra training in those specific areas will be provided during the course. All our full Yachtmaster instructors  are trained to adapt to your unique learning style.

Q> I have done some sailing already, can I skip the first few weeks?

A> There is so much to cover in the beginning that missing the first few weeks can be disastrous, even if you have sailed before it's best to start at the beginning.  Many experienced sailors start this course at the beginning and finish the course early rather than cutting weeks from the start.

Q> What if I do not pass?

A> We have the highest first time pass rates in the industry, due to the fact that we use Full Yachtmaster Instructors every day. If you are not successful during the final exam,  the 15 / 14 week Yachtmaster course is backed up by a free retraining scheme if there is a problem on the exam due to nerves etc. 

Q What is the Pass rate. 

A> The Allabroad first time pass rate is 95.6% and the resit pass rate is 99.4%. These figures date back to 2002 when we ran the very first Yachtmaster offshore Fast Track Sailing course.  Please note, we are quoting the pass rate for Yachtmaster Offshore and not the deferred pass rate to the much lower level of Yachtmaster Coastal.  If you book Yachtmaster Offshore with us, our pass guarantee is that you pass Yachtmaster offshore, you receive extra training until you pass the full RYA Yachtmaster offshore, not just fobbed off with the lower of Yachtmaster coastal.

When comparing prices please check the following key points, not all Yachtmaster Fast Track training courses are the same, particularly in 4 of the most important key areas:

1) Instructor Qualifications 

Take advantage of the teaching experience of only qualified FULL Yachtmaster RYA instructors every single day of your course (we do NOT use Cruising Instructors for Fast Track training)

2) Training ratios 

Enjoy more hands on helm training, we never exceed more than 4 trainees per yacht every single week

3) Quality of training vessels 

Keep sailing, less down time due to breakdowns, we provide newer, more reliable, safer 2016 Sailing yachts 

4) Facilities provided 

Study in silence in one of 3 private training rooms, store your kit safely, relax in the lounge, we provide 24/7 access to a purposed designed shore-based training facility