Is the theory exam multiple choice?

The course concludes in three invigilated written papers, typically Chartwork, Collision Regulations and a General/Passage Making paper, which require chartwork plotting and short written answers rather than pure multiple choice. Our 100 practice questions are written to drill the same syllabus knowledge in a quick multiple-choice format.

Does passing the theory make me a Yachtmaster?

No. The shorebased theory is a knowledge course. The Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificates of Competence are awarded after separate practical assessments and oral exams with an RYA examiner; the theory provides the navigation knowledge those exams assume.

What chartwork is tested?

You must work estimated positions, courses to steer, three-point and running fixes, leeway and tidal vectors, plus tidal height calculations using the rule of twelfths, tidal curves and secondary-port corrections. Variation, deviation and compass-error conversions are core skills.

Which collision regulations should I know?

The IRPCS steering and sailing rules (head-on Rule 14, crossing Rule 15, sailing Rule 12, overtaking Rule 13, restricted visibility Rule 19), the lights and shapes (Rules 21-31), sound and fog signals (Rules 34-35), and IALA Region A buoyage are all examined.

How long does the course take?

The course is roughly 40-60 hours of study, often run as an intensive 6-day classroom course or spread over several weeks of online learning, before sitting the written papers. Day Skipper theory or equivalent knowledge is the recommended starting point.

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The RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Theory course is taken by sailors stepping up to coastal and offshore skippering. Delivered at RYA Recognised Training Centres (classroom or online, around 40-60 hours), it ends in three invigilated written papers - typically Chartwork (about 2 hours), Collision Regulations (about 1.5 hours) and a General/Passage Making paper (up to 3.5 hours). Content covers chartwork and position fixing (variation/deviation, EP, course to steer, running fixes), tides and tidal streams (chart datum, rule of twelfths, tidal curves, secondary ports, diamonds), IRPCS collision regulations (steering and sailing rules, lights, shapes, sound and fog signals), meteorology (synoptic charts, fronts, Buys Ballot's law, Beaufort, Shipping Forecast), passage planning and pilotage under SOLAS V, IALA Region A buoyage, and safety/GMDSS basics (MAYDAY, EPIRB, SART, flares, liferaft). The papers are written; the Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence itself is a separate practical and oral exam.

Sample RYA Yachtmaster Theory Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your RYA Yachtmaster Theory exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1On a passage you measure the angle between true north and magnetic north on the chart's compass rose as 3 degrees West, and your steering compass has a deviation of 2 degrees East on the present heading. What is the total compass error you must apply?

A.5 degrees West

B.1 degree East

C.1 degree West

D.5 degrees East

Explanation: Compass error is the algebraic sum of variation and deviation, treating West as negative and East as positive. 3W and 2E combine to 1 degree West, the net error between compass and true.

2You wish to convert a True bearing of 045 degrees to a Compass bearing for use with your steering compass. Variation is 5 degrees West and deviation is 2 degrees West. Which rule and result are correct?

A.Compass to True, add West: 052 degrees

B.True to Compass, add West: 052 degrees

C.True to Compass, subtract West: 038 degrees

D.True to Compass, add East: 052 degrees

Explanation: Going from True to Compass you apply errors in the 'unwinding' direction, so Westerly errors are ADDED. 045 + 5 + 2 = 052 degrees Compass (mnemonic: 'Error West, Compass best' meaning compass reads higher).

3When plotting an Estimated Position (EP), in which order are the vectors applied from the start position?

A.Tidal stream first, then water track (course steered and distance through the water)

B.Ground track first, then leeway

C.Leeway vector first, then tidal stream, then course to steer

D.Water track (course and log distance) first, then the tidal stream vector for the period

Explanation: An EP is built by plotting the water track (course steered through the water, corrected for leeway, for the log distance run) from the last fix, then adding the tidal stream vector (set and drift) for the same period; the end of the tidal vector is the EP.

4A yacht logs 18 nautical miles through the water over 3 hours. During this time the tidal stream sets 090 degrees at an average rate of 1.5 knots. What total tidal drift do you plot on the EP?

A.1.5 nautical miles

B.4.5 nautical miles

C.6.0 nautical miles

D.3.0 nautical miles

Explanation: Tidal drift = rate x time = 1.5 knots x 3 hours = 4.5 nautical miles, plotted in the direction the stream sets (090 degrees) from the end of the water track.

5On a beam reach in a fresh breeze you notice your yacht is being pushed sideways through the water. This effect, the angle between the course steered and the water track, is known as:

A.Set

B.Leeway

C.Drift

D.Deviation

Explanation: Leeway is the angle between the boat's heading (course steered) and its actual track through the water, caused by wind pushing the hull and rig to leeward; it is applied downwind of the heading when constructing the water track.

6You take three position lines using compass bearings of charted landmarks, but they form a small triangle (a 'cocked hat') rather than meeting at a point. For safe navigation in pilotage waters, where should you assume the vessel is?

A.At the exact centre (centroid) of the triangle

B.At the corner of the triangle furthest from any danger

C.At the corner of the triangle nearest to any danger

D.At whichever corner is closest to your DR position

Explanation: Good practice is to assume the worst case: place the vessel at the corner of the cocked hat closest to any hazard, so that the navigation decision errs on the side of safety.

7A 'running fix' is used to obtain a position when only one charted object is visible. The technique involves:

A.Taking simultaneous bearings of two different objects

B.Taking two bearings of the same object separated by a run, and transferring the first position line forward by the vessel's ground track

C.Measuring the vertical sextant angle of a charted light

D.Comparing GPS position with the depth sounder reading

Explanation: A running fix takes a bearing of a single object, then a second bearing of the same object after a measured run; the first position line is transferred forward by the distance and direction of the run (the ground track) to cross the second, giving a fix.

8When measuring distance on a Mercator chart, which scale should you use and how?

A.The longitude scale at the top or bottom edge

B.The latitude scale at the side, always using the equator end

C.The latitude scale at the side, using the portion adjacent to your area of interest

D.Either scale, since both are identical on a Mercator projection

Explanation: On a Mercator chart the latitude (vertical) scale represents nautical miles, but the scale expands with latitude, so you must use the portion of the side scale level with your working area.

9Your boat's speed through the water is 6 knots and you must steer to counteract a tidal stream setting 270 degrees at 2 knots while making good a ground track of 360 degrees (north). After constructing the course-to-steer vector triangle, the resulting Speed Over Ground will be:

A.Exactly 6 knots

B.Greater than 6 knots

C.Exactly 2 knots

D.Less than 6 knots

Explanation: When the tidal stream sets across the desired ground track (roughly at right angles here, 270 against a 360 track), part of the boat's speed through the water must be 'spent' crabbing into the tide, so the speed made good along the ground track is less than the 6-knot water speed.

10On a standard Admiralty chart, depths (soundings) are charted relative to which datum?

A.Mean Sea Level

B.Highest Astronomical Tide

C.Chart Datum, which is approximately the level of Lowest Astronomical Tide

D.Mean High Water Springs

Explanation: Charted depths are referred to Chart Datum, set at approximately Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) so that the actual depth is almost always at least the charted figure plus the height of tide.

About the RYA Yachtmaster Theory Practice Questions

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