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RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory

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Key Facts: RYA Yachtmaster Theory Exam

40 hours

Teaching time; assessment is additional

https://www.rya.org.uk/course-finder/coastal-skipperyachtmaster-offshore-theory-course/

Not published

Fixed assessment question count in public RYA overview

https://www.rya.org.uk/course-finder/coastal-skipperyachtmaster-offshore-theory-course/

12h 25m

Period of a semi-diurnal tidal cycle

Tidal theory

Force 8

Gale on the Beaufort scale (34-40 kn)

Beaufort wind scale

Channel 16

VHF distress and calling channel

GMDSS / ITU

Red to port

IALA Region A returning from seaward

IALA Maritime Buoyage System

RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory develops coastal and offshore navigation knowledge. The official course duration is 40 taught hours with assessment time in addition. Day Skipper Shorebased-level knowledge is required. Confirm paper format, question counts, pass requirements and fees with your training centre; the public course overview does not publish universal values for those details.

Sample RYA Yachtmaster Theory Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the RYA Yachtmaster Theory exam. 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 Exam

An advanced navigation and seamanship shorebased course offered in classroom, online and distance-learning formats. RYA specifies 40 taught hours with examination time in addition, and prior knowledge to Day Skipper Shorebased level. Confirm assessment format, timing and fees with the chosen training centre. The topic groups below organise independent practice; they are not official examination percentages. Yachtmaster practical Certificates of Competence are separate qualifications.

Exam sponsor: Royal Yachting Association (RYA) via Recognised Training Centres. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

40 taught hours, with assessment time in addition. Confirm the assessment timetable with the training centre.

Passing Score

Ask the training centre for the assessment requirements. The RYA public course overview does not state a universal numerical pass mark.

Exam / Certification Fees

Confirm current course and assessment fees with the selected training centre; the RYA public course overview does not publish a uniform fee.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Practice grouping; no official assessment percentage published

Chartwork & Position Fixing

Variation and deviation, true/magnetic/compass conversions, dead reckoning and estimated position, course-to-steer vector triangles, leeway and water track, three-point and running fixes, transits, vertical sextant angles, the cocked hat and the Mercator latitude distance scale

Practice grouping; no official assessment percentage published

Tides & Tidal Streams

Chart datum at approximately LAT, drying heights, the rule of twelfths, standard and secondary port height and time differences, tidal curve interpolation, springs and neaps, tidal diamonds and stream atlases, tidal gates, wind-over-tide and under-keel clearance

Practice grouping; no official assessment percentage published

IRPCS, Lights & Buoyage

Steering and sailing rules including head-on (14), crossing (15), sailing vessels (12), overtaking (13) and restricted visibility (19), responsibilities (18), lights and shapes (21-31), sound and fog signals (34-35), and IALA Region A lateral, cardinal, isolated-danger and safe-water marks

Practice grouping; no official assessment percentage published

Meteorology

Synoptic charts and isobar spacing, depressions and anticyclones, warm, cold and occluded fronts, Buys Ballot's law, the Beaufort wind scale, sea and land breezes, advection and radiation fog, and UK Shipping Forecast timing, visibility and sea-area terms

Practice grouping; no official assessment percentage published

Passage Planning & Pilotage

SOLAS V voyage planning, the appraisal-planning-execution-monitoring cycle, pilotage plans for night and unfamiliar entries, clearing bearings and leading lines, reading light characteristics, dipping distances, tidal windows and safe clearing margins

Practice grouping; no official assessment percentage published

Safety & GMDSS

MAYDAY, PAN-PAN and SECURITE procedures, VHF Channel 16 and DSC Channel 70, EPIRB, SART, Navtex, distress flares, liferaft and man-overboard drills, and the limitations of AIS and GNSS positioning

Preparing for the RYA Yachtmaster Theory Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Ask the training centre for the assessment requirements. The RYA public course overview does not state a universal numerical pass mark.
  • Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
  • Time limit: 40 taught hours, with assessment time in addition. Confirm the assessment timetable with the training centre.
  • Exam / certification fees: Confirm current course and assessment fees with the selected training centre; the RYA public course overview does not publish a uniform fee. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

RYA Yachtmaster Theory: Suggested Study Strategy

1Drill course-to-steer vector triangles: plot the ground track from the start, lay off the tidal stream (set and drift) for the period, then swing the boat-speed arc to cut the ground track and read the heading
2Memorise the rule of twelfths (1, 2, 3, 3, 2, 1 of the range per hour) and practise secondary-port height and time differences against a standard port until they are second nature
3Learn the IRPCS by sector: head-on alter to starboard (Rule 14), give way when the other is on your starboard side (Rule 15), and the overtaking vessel always keeps clear (Rule 13)
4Fix the fog signals: one prolonged blast for a power-driven vessel making way, two prolonged for stopped, and one prolonged plus two short for NUC, RAM, sailing, fishing and constrained-by-draught vessels (Rule 35)
5Know IALA Region A: red cans to port and green cones to starboard when entering from seaward, plus the cardinal-mark cone topmarks (north cones up, south cones down, east base-to-base, west point-to-point)
6Use Shipping Forecast terms precisely: imminent within 6 hours, soon 6-12 hours, later beyond 12 hours; visibility good over 5 M, moderate 2-5 M, poor 1000 m to 2 M, fog under 1000 m

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Theory course?

An advanced navigation and seamanship theory course in classroom, online or distance-learning formats. RYA specifies Day Skipper Shorebased-level knowledge and 40 taught hours with assessment time in addition. It supports preparation for coastal and offshore practical navigation.

Is the theory exam multiple choice?

The RYA public course overview does not specify a universal question count or paper format. Confirm the assessment instructions with your training centre. Our independent 100-question multiple-choice practice bank is a learning resource, not a statement of the official assessment 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?

Review position fixing, course shaping and plotting, tidal knowledge, almanacs and publications, and electronic position-finding equipment. Use the current RYA syllabus and your centre instructions for the full course and assessment scope.

Which collision regulations should I know?

Study the steering and sailing rules, lights and shapes, sound signals, and maritime buoyage using the current RYA syllabus and the rules themselves. The topic groups on this page are independent practice categories, not published assessment percentages.

How long does the course take?

RYA specifies 40 taught hours, with examinations in addition. Classroom, online and distance-learning schedules vary. Required experience is knowledge to Day Skipper Shorebased level.