What’s the structure of the course?

• We don’t have a fixed schedule for the 13 weeks and this is what makes our Fast Track so successful in terms of quality of training and outcomes. We tailor each course, based on various influencing factors including weather and training priorities – we deliver all training inhouse (practical, shore based courses such as Radar and Diesel Engine, Coastal Yachtmaster theory, STCW Basic Safety Training and Powerboat) so we have complete flexibility to make the best choices week-by-week to deliver quality learning.
• It can take a couple of weeks for some people who are used to a more structured environment to get used to this ‘loose framework’ approach. However, it really helps you focus and immerse yourself on the immediate learning/module in front of you rather than being overwhelmed by the bigger goal – so we find in general that Fast Tracker trainees quickly see the benefit and thrive

What’s a typical week?

• As you might expect from a Yachtmaster Fast Track course, no week is the same. But that said, you could broadly say a typical week starts with sailing Monday-Friday, overnighting in different ports, harbours and marinas and enjoying Spanish culture. You’ll usually complete a night sail during the week, returning to Gibraltar on a Friday afternoon around 4pm. Over the weekend you might have a shore-based training session (perhaps Radar course or Powerboat). Fast Trackers also use the weekend to use the marina laundry and then perhaps head into town, walk up the rock and enjoy the stunning views over the Straits to Morocco or chill out on the beach.

How much time do you get off?

• As a general rule core instruction runs Monday-Friday throughout the course. Most evenings you will have free time, but we do recommend that everyone commits to 20 minutes private learning time each day (completing the VHF and PPR online course, revising Collision Regulations…), which adds up to an additional 30 hours study over the 13-weeks.
• On weekends, so that we can maximise your time on the water during the week, we often schedule shore-based modules. For example, Day Skipper theory is often taken over two weekends and the diesel engine course is classroom based. So while weekends are rarely used for sailing, except for mile-builders for example, you will quite often have a class.

What yachts do you use?

• When we renewed our fleet we decided to buy yachts from new, so we could choose the perfect model for learning to sail. We chose to invest in 5 modern, twin helm (2 wheel) Jeanneau 389’s which offer the ideal combination of great sailing (light and responsive to the wind which is good for learning), bright and spacious below deck living and a modern cockpit offering plenty of room on deck when training. This has proven to be a very popular choice with trainees and instructors!

How do you complete training in just 13 weeks?

• We’ve been evolving the Yachtmaster Fast Track course for over 20 years and have been leaders in the field throughout that time. Every day of your training focusses on fundamental skills that make a great yachtmaster and we’re constantly adapting and improving, incorporating the latest technological and training innovations from across the marine industry.
• But underpinning everything are three core things:
  • Training as a yachtmaster fast track group means that every training session is focussed around Yachtmaster Fast Track candidates and what you need to achieve to reach Offshore level in 13 weeks. That’s why we avoid mixed groups of Fast Track candidates and Competent Crew/Day Skippers which other training centres often do.
  • Our core team of instructors are all Yachtmaster Instructors as opposed to Cruising Instructors and several of them are Yachtmaster Examiners too – so you get high level training from hugely experienced instructors who are focussed on your success.
  • We do all training in-house – we don’t outsource courses so we have complete control over delivering the best training week in and week out , using the best kit, yachts and shore-based facilities – we can adapt the schedule to the weather and to your specific training requirements.

What is a mile-builder?

• Mile-builder weeks are often wildly under-estimated in terms of their value, being mistakenly compared to miles gained as crew on an ocean crossing or other other extended passage. Nothing could be further from the truth!!!
• Mile-builders as part of the Fast Track are intensive learning experiences of usually between 7-14 days where trainees complete back-to-back passages of 60 miles or more generally along the Spanish and Portuguese Atlantic coast, each taking a turn to skipper and crew, creating rotas and working as a team. You’ll get the chance to try different round-the-clock shifts (eg: 3-hours on, 3-hours off), creating passage plans, practicing Yachtmaster theory level chartwork, applying collision regulations crossing busy shipping lanes through the Straits and creating pilotage plans for entry into ports/marina’s/rivers with which you’re not familiar. You’ll take control of provisioning, water and fuel management and general running of the vessel, of sail plans and courses to steer. You’ll have an instructor aboard to coach you but they’ll progressively take a step back leaving you in control of the boat and only stepping in where they determine you need to rethink your plans!
• During your mile-builder you’re likely to stop in a marina’s once every few days to refuel, stock up on provisions and refill with water, but often once reaching a destination on one of your 60 mile passages you’ll just drop the anchor, have a cup of tea, swap skippers and then lift the anchor and start you’re next 60 mile passage.
• Fast Track candidates generally return from mile-builders with an increased level of real world skippering skills, an appreciation for how far they’ve progressed along their ‘zero-to-hero’ Yachtmaster journey and an understanding of how far they have to go – and a positive thirst for more knowledge, skills and experience.
• Mile-builders are an incredible adventure and an intense experience and a highly valuable step towards achieving Yachtmaster Offshore. Depending on the length of mile-builder you could expect to gain upto 800 tidal miles on each mile-builder, towards your prerequisite milage for the Yachtmaster Offshore Exam.
• Preprequisits for entry to the Yachtmaster Offshore Exam include: 5 days experience as skipper, 2500 miles (50% of which must be tidal) and 2 passages of over 60 miles as skipper. The mile-builders during your Fast Track course, contribute significantly to you gaining these miles and the experience that the RYA Examiners are looking for in order for your to attain the Offshore certification.

How many people are on each course?

• As a general guide, each course has 1-3 dedicated Fast Track yachts (ie: Up to 15 Fast Trackers per course) and each yacht has a maximum of 5 trainees (reducing to a trainnee:instructor ratio of maximum 4:1 towards the end of the course for Skills and Exam weeks).
• Learning as a Fast Track group means that you’re all focusing on the same learning at the same time (eg: Man overboard recovery under sail) which reinforces what you’re learning and you get to observe other candidates as well as taking your own turn as skipper. This is an incredibly powerful way to learn, hone and retain skills

Where do we sleep?

• Throughout the course you will live, eat and sleep aboard one of our Jeanneau 389 twin helm yachts – even during classroom theory days. Our yachts are moored in the popular Marina Bay, Gibraltar where the Academy and our classrooms are based.
• Each yacht has 3 double/twin cabins and 2 berths in the saloon. Candidates rotate (usually each week) so that everyone has time in a cabin and in the saloon.

Do you provide wet gear?

• We used to provide wet gear for Fast Trackers, however the feedback we had once trainees were here, was that they would far rather buy their own (either cheap outdoor waterproof kit or a Coastal sailing jacket/salopettes from the local chandlery). The reason being that wet gear needs to be looked after and dried out properly otherwise it soon becomes unpleasant to wear!
• Depending on the time of year you’re doing your course and whether you intend to use your qualification commercially you might want to get your own sailing jacket and salopettes. Allabroad Fast Trackers get 10% discount on many items a Sheppards Chandlery in Gibraltar, who stock clothing and footwear:
  • Coastal jackets from around £145
  • Coastal jacket and salopettes from around £195

What happens if I fail my theory?

• Having a really good grasp and working knowledge of Coastal Yachtmaster theory is a major factor in successfully completing the Yachtmaster Offshore certification. This is why we dedicate 7-days of the Fast Track course (usually in week 4-5) in the classroom, studying chartwork, navigation and collision regulations.
• Our classroom instructors are highly skilled and used to training Yachtmaster Fast Track courses – ensuring that no one is left behind and adapting to different learning styles. And the great thing about Fast Track, is that if you don’t pass the exams the first time round, then your instructors will work with you over the following weeks, providing extra support and training as part of the course, so that you can re-take the theory exams and achieve the required level.
• An added advantage of Fast Track is that you’ll have the chance to apply your new theory in the following week, to real life navigation experiences which has the double benefit of fixing your learning through repetition and also given a really beneficial practical use of theory which helps those who are better at hands-on learning as opposed to academic/classroom learning.

What if I find myself struggling?

• The great advantage of Yachtmaster Fast Track is that trainees are with us for 13-weeks and during that time you will have the opportunity to revisit and practice the areas that you need a little more time on. For example, it’s not uncommon for trainees to need more time to get their Coastal Yachtmaster theory up to the standard, but there’s lots of opportunity to practice chartwork during the sailing week and gain support from the instructor.
• We pride ourselves on providing a positive and supportive training environment and we have an excellent core team of highly experienced instructors who are used to teaching, coaching and mentoring trainees at all levels.

Finding a career

If your aim is to work in the yachting or superyacht industry then you’ll benefit from being an Allabroad Fast Track Yachtmaster graduate:

• Allabroad has a superb reputation across the industry
• Tips, guidance and CV advice throughout the course
• Networking opportunities

After each course we see graduates of the Fast Track Pro course go on to find exciting roles all over the world – check out who we follow on Instagram and follow us to stay connected.