RYA Yachtmaster Qualifying Miles: Build 2,500nm for Professional Certification
Accumulate qualifying miles and seatime through real Mediterranean and Atlantic deliveries.
RYA G15 logbook certified by Yachtmaster Ocean-qualified skippers.
Why RYA Qualifying Miles Matter for Your Maritime Career
Accumulating RYA qualifying miles is essential for professional certifications. Whether you’re working toward Yachtmaster Coastal (800nm, 30 days seatime) or Yachtmaster Offshore (2,500nm, 50 days seatime, 5 passages over 60 miles), documented experience in your RYA Sail Cruising Logbook (G15) is your pathway to certification and professional maritime opportunities.
At Captains and Crew , we provide authentic qualifying miles through real yacht deliveries and offshore passages across the Mediterranean and Atlantic. Every nautical mile you sail with us is logged, verified, and certified by our RYA Yachtmaster Ocean-qualified skippers in the official RYA G15 logbook format, providing you with the documented evidence required for your certification exam.
Our qualifying miles program offers real-world offshore sailing experience, professional mentorship, and official RYA-compliant documentation recognized by sailing schools, charter companies, insurance providers, and maritime authorities worldwide.
RYA Yachtmaster Qualifying Requirements
Our qualifying miles programs are designed to meet official RYA certification requirements. All experience must be documented within 10 years prior to your exam in your RYA Sail Cruising Logbook (G15).
⚓ Yachtmaster Coastal
- Miles: 800 nautical miles
(400nm if holding RYA Coastal Skipper) - Seatime: 30 days
(20 days with Coastal Skipper) - Skipper Experience: 2 days as skipper
- Night Hours: 12 hours
- Tidal Waters: At least 50% of seatime
Typical Routes: Mediterranean coastal passages, French Riviera-Croatia, Balearics-Sardinia
🌊 Yachtmaster Offshore
- Miles: 2,500 nautical miles
- Seatime: 50 days at sea
- Skipper Experience: 5 days as skipper
- Passages: 5 passages over 60 miles
- 2 overnight passages
- 2 as skipper
- Tidal Waters: At least 50% of mileage and passages
Typical Routes: La Rochelle-Gibraltar (850nm), Canaries-Balearics (850nm), Atlantic crossings
Vessel Requirements: All qualifying seatime must be on vessels under 24m LOA (Length Overall). For the 5 passages over 60nm (Offshore requirement), vessels must be between 7m and 24m. Seatime on vessels over 24m only counts as 50% of the requirement.
Documentation: Every passage with Captains and Crew is logged in your RYA G15 Sail Cruising Logbook, signed and certified by our RYA Yachtmaster Ocean-qualified skippers.
Three Ways to Build Your RYA Qualifying Miles
🗓️ Seasonal Miles Programs
Join our Spring and Autumn dedicated qualifying miles weeks in the Mediterranean. Structured programs designed specifically for building RYA qualifying miles with experienced Yachtmaster-qualified instruction.
☀️ Summer Sailing Experience
Combine vacation with qualification building. Sail with RYA Yachtmaster-certified skippers who document your qualifying miles and seatime in official G15 logbooks while teaching advanced offshore techniques.
🧭 Yacht Delivery Passages
Join real yacht delivery passages from port to port. The most authentic way to build significant qualifying miles while experiencing genuine offshore sailing and meeting RYA passage requirements (60+ miles, overnight, tidal waters).
What You Gain from Our Qualifying Miles Program
- Official RYA G15 Certification – Every mile documented and certified by RYA Yachtmaster Ocean-qualified skippers in the official RYA Sail Cruising Logbook (G15) format
- Qualifying Passages – Build the 5 passages over 60 miles required for Yachtmaster Offshore, including overnight and tidal water requirements
- Seatime Documentation – Accumulate the 30 days (Coastal) or 50 days (Offshore) seatime required for certification
- Skipper Experience – Opportunities to helm and gain the 2-5 days as skipper required by RYA
- Tidal Waters Experience – Meet the 50% tidal waters requirement through Bay of Biscay, English Channel, and Atlantic approaches
- Night Sailing Hours – Accumulate the 12 night hours required for Coastal certification
- Practical Skills Development – Learn passage planning, offshore navigation, weather routing, and heavy weather sailing
- Professional Network – Connect with charter companies, yacht owners, and delivery crew opportunities
“I accumulated 1,200 certified qualifying miles in three deliveries (Palma-Sardinia, Genoa-Corfu, Canaries-Mallorca) with Captains and Crew . My RYA G15 logbook was perfectly documented with all passages over 60 miles, tidal waters percentage, and skipper experience. Six months later, I passed my RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam and now work as a professional charter skipper in Croatia.”
— Marco R., RYA Yachtmaster Offshore
Mediterranean Coastal Qualifying Miles
Our Mediterranean qualifying miles routes offer the perfect introduction to offshore sailing while staying within coastal waters. These programs are ideal for sailors building their first 500-1,000 nautical miles toward RYA Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Coastal certifications (800nm requirement).
Typical Mediterranean Routes:
- Palma de Mallorca → Sardinia (240-280 nm)
- French Riviera → Croatia (450-520 nm)
- Genoa → Sicily → Greece (800-950 nm)
- Sicily → Turkey (380-420 nm)
- Balearics → French Riviera (320-380 nm)
Duration: 3 to 8 days sailing
Season: April-May (Spring) / September-October (Autumn)
Qualification: Builds toward Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Coastal 800nm
What’s Included:
- Yacht charter and comprehensive insurance
- RYA Yachtmaster Ocean-qualified skipper
- Qualified crew member for instruction
- Fuel and final cleaning
- Official RYA G15 logbook certification
- Documented qualifying miles and seatime
Value Example:
Genoa → Sicily → Greece (900nm passage)
= Complete your entire 800nm Yachtmaster Coastal requirement in one trip
= 36% of your 2,500nm Yachtmaster Offshore requirement
= Approximately 10 days seatime toward your 30-50 day requirement
Skills You’ll Develop:
- Passage planning and pilotage
- Coastal navigation techniques
- Night sailing and watchkeeping
- Weather routing decisions
- Marina and anchoring procedures
- Safety and emergency protocols
- Sail trim optimization
- Crew management basics
Ocean Passage Qualifying Miles
For sailors ready to build serious offshore qualifying miles, our ocean passage program provides authentic blue-water experience. These are the miles and passages that fulfill RYA Yachtmaster Offshore requirements: 2,500nm, 50 days seatime, and critically, the 5 passages over 60 miles (including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper), with at least 50% in tidal waters.
Featured Ocean Qualifying Routes:
- La Rochelle → Gibraltar (850 nm) ⭐ Qualifying passage
Bay of Biscay crossing, tidal waters, 7-10 days - Canary Islands → Balearic Islands (850-900 nm)
Open ocean, 10-12 days passage - Gibraltar → Eastern Mediterranean (1,400-1,600 nm)
Multi-week offshore experience - Azores → Mediterranean (1,400-1,600 nm)
Atlantic passage, tidal approaches - Transatlantic Crossings (2,800-4,200 nm)
Complete Offshore requirement in one passage
Duration: 7 to 25 days
Experience Level: RYA Day Skipper or equivalent minimum
Qualification: Builds toward Yachtmaster Offshore 2,500nm + passages over 60 miles
Ocean Passage Skills Mastered:
- Multi-day passage planning and weather routing
- Watch systems and crew management
- Offshore emergency procedures
- Satellite communication and navigation
- Night sailing and celestial navigation basics
- Heavy weather sailing techniques
- Long-range fuel and provisioning
- Ocean currents and tidal stream navigation
RYA Offshore Value Example:
Three ocean passages track:
1. La Rochelle → Gibraltar (850nm) ⭐
2. Canaries → Balearics (850nm) ⭐
3. Bay of Biscay crossing (600nm) ⭐
= 2,300nm (92% of 2,500nm requirement)
= 5+ passages over 60 miles ✅
= Multiple overnight passages ✅
= Tidal waters 50%+ ✅
= 35-40 days seatime (80% of requirement)
How Your RYA Qualifying Miles Are Certified
Every passage with Captains and Crew provides official RYA-compliant certification in the RYA Sail Cruising Logbook (G15) format, recognized by RYA, sailing schools, charter companies, insurance providers, and maritime authorities worldwide.
Pre-Departure
Briefing
Skipper verifies your current qualifications and RYA G15 logbook. Discusses learning objectives and specific requirements you’re working toward.
Active
Participation
Stand watches, participate in navigation planning, helm the yacht, and learn by doing. Build skipper experience hours toward your 2-5 day requirement.
Detailed
Documentation
Skipper logs passage details: nautical miles, days at sea, night hours, tidal waters percentage, passages over 60 miles, your responsibilities and role.
RYA G15
Certification
Receive official RYA G15 logbook entry with: miles sailed, route, dates, vessel details (LOA confirmation), conditions, tidal waters %, skipper signature and RYA qualification number.
Worldwide
Recognition
Certification accepted by RYA, IYT, sailing schools, charter operators, insurance companies, and maritime authorities globally for qualification requirements.
Career
Opportunities
Connect with our network of charter companies, yacht owners, and professional delivery crew opportunities throughout the Mediterranean and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these miles count toward my RYA Yachtmaster qualification?
Yes. All miles are certified by RYA Yachtmaster Ocean-qualified skippers and documented in the official RYA G15 Sail Cruising Logbook format. They are fully compliant with RYA requirements for Coastal Skipper, Yachtmaster Coastal, and Yachtmaster Offshore qualifications, including the critical passages over 60 miles, tidal waters percentage, and seatime documentation.
Do you provide RYA G15 logbook certification?
Yes. Every passage is documented in the official RYA Sail Cruising Logbook (G15) format with complete details: route, distance, dates, vessel specifications (LOA confirmation under 24m), weather conditions, tidal waters percentage, your role and responsibilities, and signed certification by our RYA Yachtmaster Ocean-qualified skipper including their RYA qualification number. This documentation is recognized worldwide by RYA, sailing schools, charter companies, and insurance providers.
Will these passages count toward the “5 passages over 60 miles” requirement?
Absolutely. Most of our ocean passages and longer Mediterranean routes are specifically designed to meet the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore requirement of 5 passages over 60 nautical miles, including the 2 overnight passages and 2 as skipper requirements. We document each qualifying passage with full details in your G15 logbook, including distance, duration, overnight hours, and your role (crew or skipper).
What experience level do I need?
For Mediterranean coastal programs: RYA Day Skipper or equivalent (basic sailing competence). For ocean passages: RYA Coastal Skipper or equivalent with demonstrated offshore capability. We assess your experience during booking to ensure the appropriate route match for your current qualification level and learning goals.
How is the tidal waters requirement met?
RYA requires at least 50% of your miles and passages in tidal waters for Yachtmaster Offshore. Our Atlantic routes (La Rochelle-Gibraltar, Bay of Biscay, English Channel approaches, Azores routes) all qualify as tidal waters. We carefully document the tidal waters percentage in your G15 logbook for each passage to ensure you’re building the correct balance.
Can I join if I’m working toward non-RYA certifications?
Absolutely. Our qualifying mile certificates are accepted by IYT, ASA, and most international sailing certification bodies. We can format documentation to meet specific requirements of your certification system. Our skippers are experienced in multi-certification standards and can document your experience appropriately.
How many people join each delivery?
Typically 2-4 participant crew members plus skipper and sometimes one additional qualified crew for instruction. This ensures everyone gets substantial helm time, active navigation participation, and the hands-on experience required for building proper qualifying miles and skipper experience hours.
What Our Sailors Say
“The Canaries to Mallorca passage gave me 920 qualifying miles and met 2 of my required passages over 60 miles. My RYA G15 logbook was perfectly documented with overnight hours, tidal waters percentage, and skipper endorsement. The confidence and experience I gained helped me pass my Yachtmaster Ocean exam six months later.”
David L., RYA Yachtmaster Ocean
“I joined three Mediterranean deliveries over one season and built 750 qualifying miles in my G15 logbook. The professional certification and documented experience helped me secure my first paid charter skipper position immediately. The investment was minimal compared to traditional mile-building courses.”
Sarah M., Professional Charter Skipper
“I needed documented qualifying miles for yacht insurance requirements. Captains and Crew provided exactly what our underwriter required – properly formatted RYA G15 entries with all vessel specifications and skipper qualifications. Plus I learned advanced offshore techniques I’d never get in a classroom.”
Thomas K., Yacht Owner
Start Building Your RYA Qualifying Miles Today
Don’t let another season pass without advancing toward your Yachtmaster certification.
Every passage brings you closer to your 2,500nm goal and professional maritime career.
Contact Us
📧 info@captainsandcrew.co.uk
📱 +44 20 3529 6884 (UK)
📱 +39 349 898 7032 (IT)
Request Information
Tell us your current qualifications,
target certification, and preferred routes.
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