Yacht Delivery FAQ
Delivery Fees Price includes all crew onboard
Sailing Yacht (Delivery) From: £295 Per Day
Motor Cruiser (Delivery) From: £295 Per Day
Power Boat (Delivery) From: £295 Per Day
Travel Days Half Daily Rate
Travel
YST Yachting ONLY use professional skipper with a proven background in yacht deliveries with excellent references. All crew have previous offshore miles. Some have owned yachts in the past or make their living only from delivering yachts. All members sign a Code-of-Conduct and are made well aware of requirements and level of service required by YST Yachting Deliveries.
Payment is required in advance of all deliveries. On accepting a delivery quote a minimum of 50% deposit is to be paid direct to YST Yachting account, we accept the following currencies: Sterling (£’s), Euros (€’s) and Dollars (USD). Payment to be made by bank transfer. Remaining payment of the delivery to be settled 8 weeks prior to set departure date. On Boat expenses (Flight expenses, Fuel
YST Yachting Skippers and Instructors, are all Commercially Endorsed, Certified, insured and experienced for craft up to 24 metres and 200gt. Which includes mono hull yachts, catamarans, powerboats and motor cruisers.
For safety and insurance purposes depending on the delivery we look for the following to be onboard, well maintained, and working – However for certain deliveries we understand certain equipment will not be necessary: below list is a suggestive and some equipment can be provided at a small rental cost.
• Adequate Engine spares to be kept onboard for the vessel.
• AIS to be fitted onboard
• Storm Sail / Jib to be provided
• First aid kits – (Ocean if required)
• Flare kits – (Ocean if required)
• Life jackets to all be in date
• life raft – (10 person ocean ‘A’ if required)
• lifejackets, Automatic with hood 175N minimum ) (AIS Preferred) enough for crew 2 spare
• Chart plotter
• MOB AI Beacon
• Radar
Owner liability is the same as if chartering your yacht out to paying guests. Hull Insurance MUST be in place for the required delivery area. The current yacht insurance on the yacht must be updated and made aware of the delivery in advance. All Delivery crew onboard will be qualified to sail in the required areas which should suffice yacht insurance. Delivery Skippers all hold professional skipper insurance with a minimum of 3rd party liability insurance whilst undertaking any delivery. Fully comprehensive delivery insurance can be added as an extra but normally the yachts main insurance can work out a cheaper option for this. And damages are rare.
You don’t need to do anything – Simply fill out a delivery request form and YST Yacht Deliveries will quote you for the delivery? Included in the price is everything with estimates of any non-fixed extras that may be incurred during the delivery (port fees / fuel etc).
We will be happy to help any yacht owner who wishes to get more sea time and give them the same opportunity to sail with any delivery. Just let us know when filling out he quote forms.
All our crew are available and also happy to work under other circumstances other than just delivery jobs with a lot of our skippers who already work busy charter season or are professional instructors around the world on all types of yachts. All our skippers are obliged once booked initially with YST Yachting to book through YST Yachting again for future jobs this is not only to protect skippers but also to protect boat owners for all future work, saving a lot of extra communication and to work as an intermediate if anything was to go wrong – YST Yachting provide unbiased views on yachting situations to work through anything that may happen. So we always recommend contacting YST Yachting first who will make contact with any skippers so that we can get the best deals and security for both parties.
Yes – We are happy to provide boat sitters around the world. We understand some owners like to hire a responsible person to help run the boat or “Boat Sit” while the boat is in port. Boat Sitters fees are charged at a ½ day delivery rate whilst onboard and in port expenses whilst onboard to a maximum of £20 per day Travel to and from the boat. (Boat sitter rates are turned into a full day rate immediately the boat leaves the dock whilst the boat sitter is under contract) This also includes moving the yacht within the marina and are charged as a full 24 hour payment on the day the yacht leaves the dock.
If you are looking to move your boat to another location, to a regatta or to bring it home after a season and do not have a skipper, we have skippers that that we trust and recommend. Once you hire the skipper he can take care of organizing the whole process. Costs will be clear upfront with any quote requested. This way you know exactly the costs incurred with hiring a skipper. Standard daily rate for a skipper is shown below:
Individual Crew Hire Costs
RYA Sailing Instructor From: £195 Per Day
RYA Ocean Skipper From: £175 Per Day
RYA Offshore Skipper From: £160 Per Day
Hostess / Host / Cook From: £120 Per Day
Deck Crew (Day Skipper / CC) From: £80 Per Day
Engineer From: £150 Per Day
Professional Chef From: £250 Per Day
(Prices above DO NOT include: Travel
We will be happy to help any yacht owner who wishes to get more sea time and give them the same opportunity to sail with any delivery. Just let us know when filling out he quote forms.
YST Delivery and YST Professional Yacht Delivery And YST Cost-Effective Yacht Deliveries Worldwide are provided directly by RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore
RYA Theory Classroom Courses FAQ
What do I need to bring with me?
We will provide everything you need to complete your RYA shorebased theory course – be it Essential Navigation & Seamanship Online, Day Skipper or Coastal / Yachtmaster.
If you wish, you may purchase your own plotters/dividers, either online, or at our centre. These are used to navigate using paper charts and are integral to maritime navigation. You are welcome to use the classroom equipment however, if you intend to do any of your own sailing or yacht-chartering then it might be a good idea to purchase your own permanent set. A good quality set will cost between £17.00 – £25.00, and should last a lifetime if treated well.
The Essential Navigation & Seamanship Course Pack comes with a set of plotters / dividers for you to keep, so borrowing or purchasing additional ones is not necessary.
For most 1-Day RYA Shorebased Theory Courses / Experiences, Check-In / Arrival time is 09:00hrs on the specified day of arrival. This day and time and location will be specified in your booking confirmation e-mail / invoice document.
In some cases, you may have made custom arrangements to meet your RYA Shorebased Instructor at a different time or location. If you are unsure of when or where to arrive – Contact Us.
All our facilities have toilets facilities with shops, restaurants or cafes nearby if you wish to purchase food throughout the day.
SkippersOnline™ with Yacht Sail Training is an RYA Recognised online method of delivering the RYA Day Skipper and Coastal/Yachtmaster Shorebased Courses, in addition to our classroom based options.
Class-based learning is a great method and can be the best option for some people, but if you’re unable to make it to one of our shorebased navigation centres, online learning might be the best option for you.
With this Online Course you get 12 months instant access with FREE UK Course Pack delivery, Named Instructor Support, Fully Animated and Narrated lessons and quizes, which are downloadable for offline use on your mobile device.
Day Skipper FREE Trial >
Coastal / Yachtmaster FREE Trial >
If you’d like to sign up for the full version and have the course pack delivered, Book Online or Contact Us.
RYA Sailing Course FAQ
Please check your course start date as we have courses starting various days. All courses however will normally start at 09:00hrs. Check-In / Arrival time opens from 08:45hrs on the day of the course commencement. You can expect to be able to be able to disembark between 17:00 and 18:00hrs on the afternoon of the last day of the course when you return to the home port. On some occasions on our “6 day/7 night courses” if required students may be able to stay onboard for the last night with disembarkation at 08:00hrs the next morning – please check with us via email if this is required.
See further information below:
6 Days / 7 Night RYA Practical Courses:
Courses mainly start on a Sunday morning at 9am – However we are able to offer options to allow you to stay onboard the yacht on the Saturday Night at the beginning of the course (Bag drop and take your cabin only) this is also available on the Friday night at the end of the course. This MUST be arranged by email in advance.
Arrival at the marina If arranged in advance can then be 5/6pm for embarkation on Saturday and disembarkation is 8am on the last Saturday morning of the course.
5 Days / 4 Nights RYA Practical Courses:
Boarding 9am on the start day of the course – Disembarkation between 17:00 / 18:00hrs on last day of the course – Extra nights accommodation onboard the training yacht is not available as the yacht will be in training again almost immediately after the 5 Day courses.
Always check your booking confirmation e-mail / invoice document in case your particular check-in / arrival time is slightly different to the standard times above.
Hold-All / Soft Baggage
Toiletries
A Range of Clothing for Warm & Cold
Sun-Hat or Warm Hat
Suncream (Summer & Winter)
Sunglasses (Summer & Winter)
T-Shirts & Shorts
Non Marking – Soft-Soled Shoes / Trainers
Gloves (May be useful pre and aft season – March to May & Oct – Nov)
Light wet weather gear – Probably no Need for full Foulis
Passport-Sized Photograph (Day / Coastal Skipper Only)
Evening spending money – for restaurants or a drink at the end of the day.
Not Going Sailing? – See the answer to this question for PowerBoating or Shorebased Theory instead.
During RYA practical sailing courses you will spend each night on-board, in cabins. Breakfast and lunch provisions are provided onboard. Evening meals are not included in the courses and extra snacks you may require can be purchased in the marina or one of the ports during the week. Croatia offers some of the best food in the world. With amazing restaurants and local dishes in most islands, ports and our sailing areas. so we urge guests to try the delicacies of the islands we will visit and enjoy Croatia to the full, as enjoying cultures is all part of the sailing experience.
We generally do not return to our main operating base every day / night. Once you have departed, most days will be spent travelling to a different island or port, to stay overnight, before returning to the marina Kastela on the final day for debriefing, marking and stamping of logbooks, and issuing RYA Certificates.
Depending on the course booked one night will normally be spent conducting a night-sail passage, for you to experience pilotage using relevant lights, and to let you experience how to tie-up safely in the dark. Any meals required on a night passage will be included in the provisions provided for the week.
All our sailing yachts are equipped with toilets and showers with hot / cold water. Some of our yachts have up to four separate shower / bathrooms – known as ‘heads’ – and some are en-suite, and some have just one or two which is quite sufficient for the number of persons on-board.
In addition to the on-board facilities, your group may elect to travel and stay at certain marinas / islands where there are shorebased toilets / showers / facilities etc. Whe we moor at a marina with shorebased facilities we request they are used by students / guests to save on water onboard. There are no charges involved in using these facilities all you require to take is your towel (provided onboard and your personal toiletries).
Our sailing area is from Marina Kastela which is based between Split airport and Split Main centre. From here the area we cover is weather dependent but will usually include the some if not all of the following islands within the Adriatic: Brac, Hvar, Solta, Pakleni islands, Scedro, Vis and Korcula. Whilst we do not have any set route-plans, because each RYA Course experience is a unique passage, we do have some excellent training waters surrounded by stunning scenery and sea-life.
Typical destinations in our sailing area include some of Croatia’s historic Submarina Sylos, Green Caves near Vis, Blue lagoons near Trogir, and if the wind is right the Blue caves near located near Komiza on Vis.
Sometimes on courses of more than 6 days we will often make it to the Blue Caves and the seals cave in Scedro, Korcula town and even the National parks of Mljet.
Breakfast and lunches onboard during practical sail cruising courses are provided as part of your course for free and included in the course fee.
As we also run charter yachts we know the food that people like onboard – we offer a Mediterranean provisions onboard with a lot of fresh produce that is delivered to the yacht on Saturday evening or Sunday morning by local supermarkets. As part of the sailing experience breakfast and lunches making are made between the students onboard. Menus and “Step by Step – How to Cook” recipes are available onboard and can also be accessed by following this link Food suggestions onboard The recipes are all Easy cook recipes that should take no longer than 30 – 40 minutes to prepare in the morning or at a lunch / Swim stop mid-day. Any extra provisons for breakfast and lunches your Instructor will be able to top up in ports along the way. BUT there should be enough onboard to last for the duration of the course with spares at the end of the week.
If you are booking a private training yacht and there is a only 4 of you training you also have the option to book a hostess for your week that will do all of this for you: Price for a hostess is £1200 for the week and they will take care of all breakfast and lunches whilst you are onboard meaning you can relax and swim at the times you want too, OR catch up on learning you need too. (This can only be done with Private Training of 4 Students / Guests or less) due to maximum RYA numbers allowed onboard a training vessel.
Further purchases can be made from local suppliers in the sailing area as the quality is excellent and it helps to support rural and island economies.
All Crew should take an active role in the catering onboard as it is part of the RYA courses – known as ‘victualling’ as it teaches good practice about carrying appropriate supplies on-board, and how to prepare meals using the kitchen (or ‘galley’) facilities safely, whilst at sea.
All our Sailing Yachts have warm, dry and comfy cabins and sitting areas, Some of our yachts do have fans but not all, they all do however have hatches to help with cooling through the height of the summer months and blankets during the early season months.
During the height of summer it can get warm at night when on-board, and the cabins are equipped with opening hatches and windows to keep cool, fresh air flowing in, there is the possibility of sleeping on deck if preferred and feel free to bring a hammock that can be positioned from the head sail to the mast for a unique experience
In the height of the season (July / August) it can get warm but from years of sailing most people manage with the temperatures whilst onboard.
If booking a private RYA training Yacht Charter you are able to request Air Conditioning at the time of booking – This can NOT be added later to a yacht and most yachts do NOT come with it as standard. Normally we find it isn’t required. However it is an option on some yachts but only at the time of booking as an extra. By standard our yachts do not have Air conditioning onboard and isn’t required.
As our Sailing Area in the center of the Adriatic, the weather and temperature in this area can vary from high winds, rain and cold temperatures in the Winter season (Nov-Feb), to windless days with over 37°C heat in the Spring/Summer. Whilst we are are able to offer training throughout the 12-months, our RYA Practical Sail Cruising courses operate exclusively between Mid March and Early November.
The weather we experience in Croatia is generally very good, with warm temperatures offshore breezes and occasional strong winds from the Bora, despite common misconceptions it is not sunny all the time
That being said, the weather can be changeable and can go from fine and sunny sailing weather, to strong Bora winds with slightly cooler temperatures, and then back again in the space of an hour – so bringing suitable clothing is advisable to avoid any showers.
Expect stunning sunsets in the evenings and if your awake early enough expect swimming in the gorgeous sunrises.
Make sure to bring suncream, sunglasses and a hat – at all times of year – as being out on the water can magnify the effects of the sun on your eyes and body.
It is unlikely, but possible. Seasickness is caused by the yawing and rocking motion of a boat at sea whilst the occupants are focused mostly on the internal surroundings of the vessel.
This causes the brain to receive conflicting signals from the eyes and ears – apparent stillness from the eyes, versus the apparent motion sensed by your inner-ear. This discordance sends the body into an ‘alarm’ mode, producing the feeling of nausea. Motion sickness is most common in children between the ages of 3 and 12 years.
Because you are taking part in the sailing of the vessel, usually outside, rather than being a seated passenger the likelihood and effects of seasickness are greatly reduced – in fact we almost never have any reported instances of motion sickness on an RYA Training course – but yet it remains one of the most often-asked questions! In reality, seasickness occurs mostly in very rough conditions – not in the conditions we sail in.
In the event that you do suffer from seasickness it is likely that our RYA Instructors will return to port to let you recover, but our Professional Instructors are also trained and certified to administer various seasickness remedies, should this be required. You may also bring your own seasickness solutions if you feel this is necessary. Some seasickness tablets can cause drowsiness and you should always tell your RYA Instructor if you are taking any medication – even if it is not Prescription-Only Medication.
Many customers have specific dietary requirements or tastes, such as requiring wheat or gluten-free produce, or they need to ensure that they keep an allergy-safe diet, for example. At the time of booking we offer 3 options: 1. Meat, 2. Vegetarian and 3 Vegan: On top of that we also ask for any food allergies and food you can NOT eat. This allows us to make sure your food delivery at the beginning of the week will fit with the gusts onboard and menus can easily be adapted to what you all onboard will enjoy and be able to eat. As mentioned menus are suggestive and are not strict many dishes can can be created with the food provided and extra food can always be purchased by the instructor if required to cater for all.
You can also bring your own supplies to keep in your cabin, or labelled separately and stored in our on-board refrigerator. You should be aware, however, that due to the unique environment we operate in, we cannot absolutely guarantee that the food-preparation and consumption facilities will not have been used previously to prepare such produce. In addition, we cannot guarantee that such facilities are suitable for faith-based food preparation regimens (e.g. Halal / Kosher) etc.
It is extremely important that you tell your RYA Course Instructor and mention it at booking if you have any allergies or other medical conditions that may affect your health and wellbeing whilst on-board a Yacht Sail Training RYA Practical Sail Cruising Course.
Having a medical condition, special medication or medical apparatus does not necessarily prevent you from participating fully in an RYA course, but you should talk to us before booking if you have any concerns.
Previous customers have included those who have Type 1 Diabetes and require daily blood-tests and injections (including cold-storage of medication), sufferers of Sleep Apnea who use special equipment and those who require regular access to toilet facilities, especially at night. We have even had some customers with artificial limbs – none of the above are barriers to full participation and our Professional RYA Instructors ensure everyone is included and catered for.
Yes. Sail cruising is an inherently safe sport when carried out in the proper way – which a Yacht Sail Training RYA Training Course always is, when being led by a competent and professional Skipper and RYA Instructor.
We recognise that many customers – particularly those new to boating – may be apprehensive about going to sea on what is considered a ‘small vessel’ (under 24 meters), and we do all we can to allay those fears – mostly that’s done through a thorough explanation and safety-briefing, as well as actually going out on the water and just getting on with sailing – this is the best way to alleviate concerns and have a good time.
All our yachts are modern Commercial Vessels and, as such, are subject to very stringent equipment and safety requirements with regular inspections administered by both the RYA and Croatian marine services. This also applies to our safety management systems and standard operating procedures – the safety and comfort of our customers is paramount, and we have a special internal company system for ensuring that financial matters can never take precedence over safety.
All safety equipment required is supplied to you as part of the course fee, and is regularly tested and independently serviced and certified by outside maritime safety organizations.
In addition, all our Commercial Certification, Inspection Reports, Staff Qualifications and Company Insurance Documents can be inspected by any customer upon request – in many cases copies are held on-board our vessels also and are easily accessible in folders – you do not have to ask permission in advance to open these folders, and we encourage it.
Yes. We arrange bareboat yacht charter in Split, Croatia, and in overseas locations also, such as Greece, Turkey, Spain, Caribbean, Italy and many other international locations. All of our RYA training yachts when not used for training are used with our sister company under charter and all of our yachts can be chartered privately on a bareboat or skippered charter.
Yacht Sail Training has partnered with several good and trustworthy Charter companies around the world allowing us to offer some great charter prices for yacht charter for not only sailing yachts but motor yachts and even super yachts.
Yacht Sail Training (YST Yachting) is also is able to provide a full crew service for yachts of most sizes. From RYA Instructors, Skippers, Hosts, Hostesses, Chefs, Engineers and also Repairs and servicing on many yachts.
If you are interested in putting your sailing skills to use for a holiday with friends or family, Contact Us for more information, prices and availability. See the following link to submit your requirements: YST Yachting Charter Quote LINK
Please make sure your qualifications meet the country you wish to charter in. If you are unsure please email [email protected] for further clarity,
For customers who wish to stay overnight in the local area, either during or shortly before / after their RYA training course or experience, we recommend Booking.com or AirBnB for accommodation providers nearby. There is an abundance of properties and rooms to rent in the area and Split Centre is only a 15 minute taxi ride away and is a preferred choice for evening meals. Taxi between Marina Kastela and Split will cost approximately £15 each way however there are local hotels near marina Kastela.
RYA Powerboat FAQ
What do I need to bring with me?
A Range of Clothing for Warm & Cold
Sun-Hat or Warm Hat
Suncream (Summer & Winter)
Sunglasses (Summer & Winter)
Any Wet Weather Clothing You Have
T-Shirts & Shorts
Soft-Soled Shoes / Trainers
Gloves (Winter)
Passport-Sized Photograph (Level 2 / Advanced Only)
For 1, 2 or 3 Day RYA PowerBoat Courses / Experiences, Check-In / Arrival time is 09:00hrs on the specified day of arrival. This day will be specified in your booking confirmation e-mail / invoice document.
RYA Level 1, Level 2 and Intermediate powerboat courses are normally delivered over 2 days, from 0900 – 1700hrs (approx) each day. Advanced PowerBoat Courses and RYA / MCA Exams usually take place during the day, and with a period at night.
Some of our RYA Training Power Boats are equipped with basic toilet facilities. The nature of how powerboat courses are run means that we are usually within a short time from either our main center, or another location with toilets. All our RYA Training Sailing Yachts are fully equipped with toilets / showers.
Our powerboating areas are between Split, Brac, Hvar and Solta Island. Where we have a dedicated RYA Training PowerBoat. During Spring/Summer (April to October), we are able to operate much further than this and include Vis regualrly, which allows for some very interesting pilotage exercises and passages.
A typical RYA PowerBoat Level 2 (Coastal / Tidal) Course will see us travel to various islands and bays to practice anchoring, mooring / tying-up etc, and going further out to sea.A great benefit of attending a Yacht Sail Training RYA Power Boat Course is that we can offer the opportunity to experience several islands in one day in the same course.
For customers who wish to stay overnight in the local area, either during or shortly before / after their RYA training course or experience, we recommend Booking.com or AirBnB for accommodation providers nearby. There is an abundance of properties and rooms to rent in the area and Split Centre is only a 15 minute taxi ride away and is a preferred choice for evening meals. Taxi between Marina Kastela and Split will cost approximately £15 each way however there are local hotels near marina Kastela.
Yes. Powerboating is an inherently safe sport when carried out in the proper way – which a Yacht Sail training RYA Training Course always is, when being led by a competent and professional Skipper and RYA Instructor.
We recognize that many customers, particularly those new to boating, may be apprehensive about going to sea on what is considered a ‘small vessel’ (under 24 metres), and we do all we can to allay those fears – mostly that’s done through a thorough explanation and safety-briefing, as well as actually going out on the water and getting on with the power boating – this is the best way to alleviate concerns, and have a good time.
All our powerboats are modern RYA Training Vessels and, as such, are subject to very stringent equipment and safety requirements with regular inspections administered by the RYA and Ministry of Maritime Affairs in Croatia, which is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport. This also applies to our safety management systems and standard operating procedures – the safety and comfort of our customers is paramount, and we have a special internal company system for ensuring that financial matters can NEVER take precedence over safety.
All safety equipment required is supplied to you as part of the course fee, and is regularly tested and independently serviced and certified by outside maritime safety organizations.
In addition, all our RYA Recognition Certificates, Inspection Reports, Staff Qualifications and Company Insurance Documents can be inspected by any customer upon request – in many cases copies are held on-board our vessels also and are easily accessible in folders – you do not have to ask permission in advance to open these folders, and we encourage it.
RYA Online Theory Course FAQ
SkippersOnline™ with Yacht Sail Training is an RYA Recognised online method of delivering the RYA Day Skipper and Coastal/Yachtmaster Shorebased Courses, in addition to our classroom based options.
Class-based learning is a great method and can be the best option for some people, but if you’re unable to make it to one of our shorebased navigation centres, online learning might be the best option for you.
With this Online Course you get 12 months instant access with FREE UK Course Pack delivery, Named Instructor Support, Fully Animated and Narrated lessons and quizes, which are downloadable for offline use on your mobile device.
Day Skipper FREE Trial >
Coastal / Yachtmaster FREE Trial >
If you’d like to sign up for the full version and have the course pack delivered, Book Online or Contact Us.
Booking and General FAQ
We have fully RYA Inspected sail cruising yachts and fast, safe powerboats at our dedicated RYA Training Centre.
Typical Yacht Sail Training Yachts
Hanse 411
Bavaria 36
Bavaria 44 Crusiser
Elan 431
Jeanneau S.O. 42.2
Benneteau Oceanis 48
Jeanneau S.O 49
Find the right RYA Sailing or PowerBoat Course.
You can also speak to a Yacht Sail Training RYA Instructor and Training Advisors. Contact Us, [email protected]or call us on +44 (0) 7401872889 (9am-5pm Mon – Fri). Tell us what your end goal is, and we will tell you what it will take to achieve it.
Or Why Not Submit a Contact form and we will call you back, at a convenient time – for free.
A wide range of people of different ages and backgrounds come to Yacht Sail Training every year. The majority of our customers are aged between 25-60 years, but young professionals, couples and individuals also make up a significant proportion our students. Our clients come from all over the world.
Families with children aged 14 or over are very welcome to book a Private Yacht Group, so that they have the use of an entire yacht and Skipper / RYA Instructor for the duration of their course / experience.
Our individual booking courses have a minimum age of 18 years old.
Private Family Charters and Private Yacht Charter can have younger onboard as long as they are accompanied by adults that will look after them.
Often couples will book a Private Yacht Training just for themselves, to have that extra time together – such bookings are more bespoke and there are other custom services that we can offer to make your booking that little bit extra special – flowers, chocolates or champagne on arrival? You should Contact Us to discuss the possibilities.
Some intelligent thought goes into who we try and mix together on our courses – we have a custom-designed computerised system to help us decide what make-up the crews should be – we will try and place you with others that we think might have common interests or goals;
For instance, if you are booking as a couple, where He wishes to go for Day Skipper, and She wishes to try out Competent Crew, we’ll try and put you on with a couple of similar age, experience and goals – and, if English isn’t your first language we’ll aim to put you on with another customer that may have the same language, or even with a Course-Instructor that speaks it, if we have one available.
It’s unlikely. Most of our customers book as individuals or couples. Those that book as groups or families tend to book as a PYG – Private Yacht Training. This means they have booked an entire boat just for their group.
Many customers have told us that they are apprehensive about turning up, and perhaps not knowing anyone else or fearing that the others have vastly more experience than them. The reality is that everyone else is probably feeling the same thing and you are all likely to have similar interests and experiences.
The first part of an RYA Practical Sailing or PowerBoat course is for the RYA Course Instructor to address you all, and have a little ‘icebreaker’ session. We regularly see people arrive at our centre for check-in looking a little nervous – within about 30 minutes everybody is having a laugh together and getting ready for boarding!
We recognise that customers may wish to combine their RYA Training Course with a charter Holiday to make an enjoyable sailing experience, and that the responsible consumption of alcohol, in moderation, can be part of that experience. There are also many bars, cafe’s, restaurants and wineries in the sailing area that you may wish to visit during your RYA Course.
It is important to note, however, that during an RYA Course, RYA trainees are not classed as ‘passengers’, and are therefore subject to legal alcohol restrictions in the same way as our RYA Instructors are. This means that you should not exceed your intake, currently set at 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
This limit is set by law for safety purposes and, whilst our RYA Instructors take a sensible approach to customers drinking alcohol, drinking to excess – i.e. becoming intoxicated or being under the influence of alcohol whilst around the water, on-board, underway or in marinas / harbours – is not permitted.
For any powerboat courses or experiences customers may not consume, or be under the influence of, alcohol at any time.
It’s not a requirement to have done the RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Theory, or to have any navigation certificate prior to attending the RYA Day Skipper Practical Course, or RYA Coastal Skipper Course. What is important is your theory knowledge – not what you have on paper.
Many people do undertake the Day or Coastal/Yachtmaster Skipper Shorebased Theory and Navigation courses beforehand, or they may already have their own relevant experience or background – perhaps just through sailing themselves, or they have done a relevant navigation course at sometime in the past.
As an RYA Training Centre we are going to recommend that you DO complete a shorebased course but, you may already have this knowledge, or wish to acquire it through self-study. In addition to the Online and classrooms courses, there are also a number of excellent books available, published by the RYA.
If you’re unsure about which course is right for you, you should talk to us. Remember that the RYA Practical Courses are flexible – that means that they are not ‘pass or fail’ exams – they are continually-assessed practical training courses.
So, if you book a 5-Day Day Skipper course, and you think that you’re not quite up to scratch – you can still sign-off parts of your Day Skipper certificate, and return to Yacht Sail Training (or any RYA Training Centre) for, say, a weekend just to finish it off and get your certificate.
Our first-time pass-rate for Day Skipper is around 95%. We don’t just let anyone pass – if our RYA Instructors aren’t satisfied that you meet the required standard then you won’t get all your logbook sections signed-off and will have to wait to receive your Day Skipper Practical Certificate. It may be the case we require you to pass your theory aspect before we can fully sign you off if you do not have the required knowledge.
In practice, we have an excellent system for finding out peoples’ levels of knowledge and ability very early on – if we think you’re going to need extra help to pass – you will get it and we will push you a bit harder until you’re doing everything you need to be doing.
The RYA Day Skipper is an important qualification – it can be used worldwide to charter sailing vessels up to 24 metres (about 80 feet long), and can even be Commercially Endorsed to take paying passengers out to sea – so we need to be sure that you have earned it.
Any 5 or 6-Days / Nights booking can be used for any course type – Competent Crew, Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper – you can move up and down the scheme as you see fit, with inputs from your RYA Course Instructor, whilst you are actually on the course.
Buy RYA Day Skipper Handbook Sail
Buy RYA Day Skipper Sail
The International Certificate of Competence or I.C.C. is otherwise known as the ‘Charter Licence’. This is accepted pretty much internationally and generally allows you to charter sailing vessels up to 24 metres in length, either on a bareboat or flotilla-type charter. You can also get an ICC for PowerBoats.
It is obtained by completing the I.C.C. Application Form and you will require the following:
1). Photocopy of your RYA Day Skipper (Coastal / Tidal) Certificate or Day Skipper Photo-ID Card;
2). Photocopy of your Passport Details / Photo Page;
3). Counter-Signed Passport-Sized Photograph;
4). The fee of £40.00 (free for RYA Members).
We recommend that you read all the available information on the I.C.C. You can also access specific guidance about boating in individual countries.
- Where do I find Yacht Sail Training?
For Yacht Sail Training:
Our RYA Practical Training Centre:
Marina Kastela
Cesta Franje Tuđmana 213
Kaštel Gomilica
21213
Split
Croatia
T: +44 (0) 7401 872 889
Email: [email protected]
Get Directions to Marina Kastela – Use Google Maps
Map of Marina Kastela – See Link
Yacht Sail Training works closely with NOA Yachting in Marina Kastela, However depending on the week you book please check your booking and confirmation forms which will give you joining instructions for the yacht you will be on for your week.
Marina Kastela has a lovely large café with a lot of seating outside dock C. Where we usually will meet up with students prior to boarding the yacht for your course. Our instructors and team will be wearing Yacht Sail Training Company T-shirts and normally stand out so feel free to say hello. There is free Wifi available in the café in the marina.
However please do check your booking confirmation email for precise instructions, If known we will also confirm the dock the yacht is positioned on.
A few days before boarding Yacht Sail Training will set-up a WhatsApp group so that Students and Instructors can communicate and connect in the marina.
We strongly advise you to download WhatsApp on your phone – this can be done on most smart phones, it is free to download and free to use. It works in any WIFI areas.
Yacht Sail Training will set up a Yacht Training Group for the week – this allows the following:
- Finding your yacht on your first day.
- Connecting with your instructor prior to boarding.
- Keeping in touch with the YST office if required.
- Sharing of course notes and diagrams for future training.
- Sharing pictures of your week.
- Keeping in touch whilst ashore in different ports.
If you are unable to find us, just message within your WhatsApp group and the office or your instructor will come and assist OR call us on +44 (0) 7401 872 889 and we will be delighted to guide you, or send someone out to collect you and help you.
For Yacht Sail Training @ Newcastle Upon Tyne:
Unit 2
1 Stepney Road
Ouseburn
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 2PZ
United Kingdom
Email: [email protected]
Marina Kastela, Split, Croatia:
Marina Kastela has secure parking available within the marina price for 7 days parking is approximately €50.00 and is payable when you remove the car from the marina.
Just outside Marina Kastela there is a Private parking on the entrance – Parking here is €20 per week and is normally secure with the residents who run the parking always on hand.
Stepney Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK:
Outside our head offices within Newcastle Upon Tyne there are several paid parking spaces price is approximately 40p per hour with maximum parking up to 4 hours. A short walk away over the park you will find free parking. Alternatively we can advise on longer parking on arrival.
We generally meet at the Yacht on the first day of your course (Please check your confirmation email for yacht name, dock or office to attend to board) you will be required to sign-in and complete a short form, to ensure that the details we have for you are correct.
If you are arriving for a practical sailing or powerboat course, you will be introduced / meet your Course Instructor, and he / she will welcome you and start to give you some information about the upcoming experience.
Once everyone has arrived, you will got through a safety briefing so it is important to listen carefully.
Don’t worry at this stage if you’re nervous – the RYA Courses are just that – enjoyable learning experiences – it’s not an exam or a test so listen carefully to the Course Instructor and relax!
For RYA Practical Sailing Courses, the first day / evening is normally spent getting to know the yacht getting you settled into your cabins / berths, safety briefings and for you to get an idea of where you will be sailing, and what you will be doing for the rest of the week.
On the first day of arrival (Sunday Mornings), It is a good idea to have had breakfast before turning up, There will be food available on the yacht and coffee, Tea etc but by the time safety briefings have been completed you may find you ae a little hungry and it is almost Lunch time
Just Outside the main marina there is a café that serves breakfast and is open from about 7:30am or alternatively there is a Lidl and Konzum supermarket 5 minutes walk from the marina that serves all sorts of croissants.
Inside the marina there is also a smaller Supermarket which is ideal for buying some small bits but is not always the best for buying breakfast.
For shore based theory and short specialist courses, the courses will start right-away and the member of staff who meets you will likely also be the Course-Instructor, and you will receive the same standard of welcome and introduction. Please Check your joining confirmation for full joining instructions.
We use WhatsApp for contact between yourself and the instructor this is also shared with the office so please message your training group and let your instructor know.
If you think that you might be late – don’t worry – but it is important that you let us know as soon as possible, so that we can make alternative arrangements to meet you, and give you the berth you should proceed to.
Please also include your name, booking reference number and your estimated arrival time. This information will be passed automatically to the relevant staff and Course-Instructors.
You can also email the office: [email protected] or phone the office on +44 (0) 7401 827 889
There is normally excellent 3G & 4G mobile-phone / wireless broadband coverage in the marina Kastela or Wifi in the café.
Onboard the training yacht there will be a WIFI router/dongle this normally works very well within the cruising area however some bays we may stop in the internet can be a little slower – please remember you will be on a yacht in the middle of the sea so there will be patches of WIFI not working.
Many customers choose to bring mobile-phones / laptops / tablets etc, and it is convenient to be able to stay in-touch with friends, family or business associates ashore – if you want to!
Please note if travelling from foreign countries please check your data roaming charges with your network provider before travelling.
What are the Rail / Air / Bus travel options?
Marina Kastela is easily accessible, with major road, rail and air links. There are busses regularly from Zagreb to Split also a train service however the train is often slower than the buses, and we are approximately 15 minute Taxi/Drive from Split International Airport.
If you were to fly into Dubrovnik airport there is a regular bus service that connects Dubrovnik and Split and also a fast cat option that can be taken between Dubrovnik and Split Centre
Trogir is approximately 25 minutes from Marina Kastela by car/Taxi
Split Centre is approximately 15 minutes by car/taxi to Marina Kastela
Zagreb is approximately 3 hours drive.
Dubrovnik is approximately 3.5 hours drive
There are a lot of local taxis around Split But Uber also works very well around Split and Trogir and can often be more cost effective.
For public transport information, including buses, trains, timetables and tickets
Check the following:
Fast Catamaran (Dubrovnik – Split): https://www.krilo.hr/en/
Split Local bus tation: https://www.ak-split.hr
Zagreb local bus station: https://www.akz.hr
Dubrovnik bus station: http://www.libertasdubrovnik.hr/en/
Flights: www.Skyscanner.net
Ferrys: https://www.jadrolinija.hr/en/ferry-croatia
Car Hire Split: https://avaxrent.com/en/locations/split-center/#/
Yes. We sell a variety of Gift Vouchers online, with free delivery via e-mail. Vouchers can be purchased for a specific course-type, or in monetary denominations. The holder can also use the value of their Gift Voucher towards any other RYA course / experience offered by Yacht Sail Training. Please contact us if you wish to purchase Gift Vouchers: [email protected] please include the name you wish to purchase for the amount and we will invoice you accordingly.
You can book any RYA Course we offer through our website by going to the course you are interested and choosing from the available dates in the online calendar or by calling +44 (0) 7401 872 889 (Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm), or submit an enquiry through our website Or Email: [email protected]
When you reserve any RYA Course or Experience, you can pay securely online with a Credit or Debit Card by clicking the Secure Payment Link in your Booking Confirmation E-Mail Or by booking through our secure payment methods on the website.
Deposits can be accepted for courses if booked over 90 days in advance of course commencement start date. Full payment must be received before 90 days of the course commencement.
You can also make a payment by calling us on +44 (0) 7401 872 889 (9am – 5pm / Mon – Fri).
Other payment methods, including bank transfer are also available. See the information at the Secure Payment Page for details on how to do this.
What’s Included – RYA Sail Cruising Practical Courses:
Competent Crew, Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper, Yachtmaster Prep
Provisions for Breakfasts, Lunches, Snacks whilst onboard
Drinking Water during the week
All Diesel Fuel, Domestic Gas, Outboard fuel
All Safety Equipment & Lifejackets
All RYA Learning Materials
Tourist Tax for all students
Bedding, Towels, Blankets
WIFI Onboard
Mooring Costs (3 Nights out of home port)
All Safety Equipment & Automatic Lifejackets
Damage Waivers
What’s Included – For PowerBoat Courses:
All Petrol-Fuel
All Safety Equipment & Lifejackets
RYA PowerBoat Handbook
For Level 2 Only – Not Required Otherwise
RYA Photo-I.D. Certification & Registration Fees Included
Please Bring Passport-Sized Photo
What’s Included – VHF Radio LIcence / Diesel Engine / Radar Course:
All In-Class Learning Materials / Books etc.
Complementary Hot Drinks Vending for Every Customer
Evening Meals are not included
Transport to and from Marina Kastela
Flights if required
Alcohol / Other soft drinks except water
Extra snacks other than those provided
Yacht Sail Training offers a robust financial protection system to help protect our customers and provide vital re-assurance.
We recognise that our customers want peace-of-mind that their money is secure when making a payment for something in advance – when you make a payment via Credit or Debit Card, Cash, Cheque or Electronic Funds Transfer to Yacht Sail.
This money remains yours and you can request a full refund at any time, up until 90 days prior to your course / experience start-date. Any non-refundable Gift Vouchers are excluded from this, but this will be stated on the voucher, and made clear prior to purchase.
We believe in a business which can be both ethical and profitable
This means that we do not use your deposits to fund the on-going operation of the business, and so we are not dependent on making future ‘sales’ to cover our potential liabilities to you should you need to cancel your booking – your money is kept in a protected account until after you have received the service.
Where other businesses are reliant on making ‘sales’ and taking advance deposits to pay for the on-going running costs of staff, buildings, facilities etc – we are a financially healthy organisation with no debts, and our overheads are paid for out of diligent savings.
We understand that this way of working is unique to Yacht Sail Training in the UK RYA Training Industry, and hope this represents our commitment to, and respect for, Ethical Business Practices.
You have an absolute right to cancel your booking, without providing a reason, and receive a full refund at any time up until 90 days prior to your course / experience start-date.
Cancellation or refund requests received within the 90-day period may also be accommodated, if we can replace your booking with another (from our waiting list, for example) but we are not obliged to do this.
This is because your cancellation at such short-notice may make it financially unviable, or impractical, to run a course-date without your booking – meaning that we could have to cancel on the other customers already booked, and let them down too.
We think that 90-days is generally enough time for us to find another customer to replace your booking, but if you need to cancel or change dates, please try and let us know as early as possible so that we can start to find another customer to take your space. Thanks!
(P.S. – Most other companies only offer limited refunds if you cancel your booking – at any time!)
If you have a question for us which isn’t answered in this section, please email us at [email protected], message us through the website or Facebook or feel free to also Call Us on +44 (0) 7401 872 889 and speak to a RYA Instructor. You can also Ask Us Online when our RYA Instructors are online, or leave us a message and we will e-mail you back within 24 hours (usually 10/20 minutes).
You can call us on +44 (0) 7401 872 889 (9am – 5pm / 7 days)
Outside these hours there usually will be someone available to answer any urgent questions, joining the yacht etc. However we may not be in front of a computer and may be unable to give you all the information regarding booking a course. (But we will call you back when we are)
Bareboat Yacht Charter FAQ
Yes – Please ask your YST Yachting team. We offer sailing yachts, sailing catamarans and motor yachts for bare boat charters. Optionally you can request a skipper, hostess and/or chef as crew on board. Consider how many persons you are going to be, how much comfort or luxury you need, how fast you wish to cover and the distances between the islands and what your budget is. Whatever your needs, we will surely find the perfect yacht for you.
Yes – Crew will stay onboard on the evenings, often in crew cabins depending on the yacht – However if there are no crew cabins crew will require a cabin onboard and must be included in the number of people on the yacht.
YST Yachting Hostess or Hosts will usually offer breakfast and lunches onboard the yacht whilst moored at sea allowing you to relax and not worry about all the cooking whilst onboard. They will also provision the yacht for breakfast and lunch, lay the tables, wash the dishes and keep general cleanliness of the saloon / galley and toilet areas. Hosts / Hostesses are subject to availability at time of booking.
Bare boat charter yachts are usually offered for a minimum of 7 day, especially in the high season for catamarans and sailing yachts flexibility is not given. However YST Yachting is able to provide several charter destinations without a minimum charter period of 7 days. Especially out of season the exception proves the rule and we will find a solution accommodating you on a yacht for less than 7 days. Please note a surcharge on the daily rate applies and the minimum are still 3 days.
Of course, if a 3 day charter is not available in the requested destination or charter period you are free to check-in later or check-out respectively earlier, however the full week price or minimum charter rate applies. It is important to inform the YST Yachting team in advance should you arrive or leave on another day than Saturday so we can ensure you are able to embark or disembark the yacht at your required times
Once availability and pricing has been confirmed, YST Yachting send you a standardized charter agreement used for the charter destination you wish to book your charter. This charter contract will include all details such as yacht details, charter period, embarkation and disembarkation port, as well as pricing with the payment terms. We will ask you to sign the contract sending a scanned copy back to us. Your charter period will be on hold for you for up to 6 days until the deposit hits our accounts. After that YST Yachting will confirm the receipt of payment and send you a confirmation and fix the booking.
Yes – contact our YST Yachting team for more information as a one way fee usually applies and sometimes the standard check-in or check-out times change in order to allow us time for delivery or re-delivery of the yacht. The yacht generally requires to be back in the home port by 6pm the following Friday after boarding.
Check-in of a yacht is usually in the late afternoon between 17:00h / 18:00h. The check-out time is the following Saturday at 08:00 or 09:00 in the morning however the yacht MUST be moored in its home port the Friday night before by 17:00 after a refuelling has been carried out. Most bases do request a return of the yacht on the evening before check-out morning which will be specified in the charter contract accordingly.
We need the time in between two charters in order to clean and prepare the yachts ensuring you a fully maintained and impeccable yacht. It happens very often that the check-in can be arranged earlier than specified in the contract, but due to we are obligated by the contract times guaranteeing the latest check-in times, such different times cannot be confirmed by YST Yachting in advance neither predicted.
Should you have unfavourable flight details or arriving times, most marinas have baggage drop locations and towns you can enjoy nearby the marinas.
Yes – Ofcourse, Please only be mindful that you are sailing on a yacht and alcohol consumption should eb kept to a safe level for your own safety.
Most of the charters are confirmed by wire transfer in Sterling (GBP), Euros (€), Dollars ($); YST Yachting do however accept credit card payments for several charter destinations. In order to confirm a charter, a 50% deposit of the charter fee is due upon the signature of the charter agreement, and the remaining 50% balance 6 weeks before charter commencement. Failure to make payment within this timescale will forfeit the original deposit.
Contact us! We accept credit card payments for many charter destinations. These provide you with full coverage and security.
No, absolutely not. YST Yachting is a reliable and professional charter company and you can be sure that we do not have any small prints on our contracts or any kind of hidden costs. The charter agreement will clearly specify what is included and which the running costs of a yacht to be covered by the charterer are.
Of course, all sailing destinations require a valid and appropriate sailing license by the according Maritime Laws. Please contact us if you are not sure if your sailing license is accepted in the charter destination you are travelling to. Yacht Sail Training Offer professional RYA Instructor lead courses if you wish to take one prior to charter. See the following link: RYA Practical Courses
Yes, we offer so called bare boat yacht charter plus professional sailing crew. For your peace of mind it is often more relaxing to book a professional skipper/captain knowing the sailing area like the back of there hand, a hostess or an additional chef. Whatever your needs, YST Yachting can arrange a professional sailing team for your week onboard who will meet your wishes. If the space on board allows it you can have 1-2-3 crew members at the same time.
Of course, yes. Skippers and hostesses provided by YST Yachting are approved professionals respecting your privacy during the charter at any time. Sailing catamarans and many sailing yachts offer separate crew cabins in the front bow with own entrance from deck and toilets. Please contact us for further details.
Yes we can happily offer tailor made charter experiences. This is everything from the food you eat to the itinerary you take during the week. Bespoke services mean you are important; you decide where the cruise goes to, how much distance you wish to cover, what you wish to eat on board. YST Yachting will listen to your requirements and together with the crew will work to meet your needs. It is your charter and your very own unforgettable sailing experience YST Yachting will take care that everything is just the way you wish to spend your holiday on board.
Yes in certain areas – Smoking is NOT permitted inside / below deck in any yachts due to safety and hygiene reasons. Smoking is allowed on the deck in the exterior areas of a yacht preferably down-wind from other guests.
Even it is a very rare scenario it happens that guests have to cancel their charters for whatsoever reasons. The cancellation policy varies from yacht type and charter destination, but in general we recommend our guests to take out a cancellation insurance to protect themselves and any paid deposits against unforeseen reasons. The cancellation policy is mentioned in the charter agreements.
Usually pets are not allowed on board of charter yachts. Occasionally we are able to allow pets however this is always a per booking scenario and will incur a surcharge for extra cleaning will apply and a separate refundable security deposit may be requested. Please mention this when booking as this can’t be changed at a later date.
Of course, with almost all charter bases you can rent a Wi-Fi internet modem. Some bases do even offer them for free so you can stay in touch with family and friends sending them pictures sharing your experiences via a flat rate internet connection and 3G or 4G speeds. Please note internet in remote areas may be a little slower than on land.
Just look forward to your holiday! Additional to that a few weeks before charter commencement you will receive all boarding and base information with all useful and comprehensive information you may need for a smooth handover of yacht. This will be the right time to reserve any airport transfers from the airport/hotel to the marina, inform the crew about your preferences should you have booked a yacht plus crew, share any crew details, base manager details and base info.
In order to save you time with the administrative issues at the check-in YST Yachting may ask you to fill out a crew list in advance before charter commencement. This is solely to save time at boarding.
As an agent, the boat owner or their agent pays us a commission out of the charter fee for finding the customer and taking care of all questions, paperwork, and payments. Our prices are the same or lower than the prices that the charter operator offers to the general public, and normally they will not reduce these prices for individuals. So, the price that we propose to you is normally the best price you’ll receive. If you are looking for a discount, ask us and we’ll see what we can do – we have a lot more leverage with the owners than an individual would because we do a lot of charters with them and know each operator on a first name basis. We also encompass all parts of the organisation of the charter and protect your interests, meaning that you’re in safe hands!
Industry standard for crew tipping is 5% to 15% of the total charter amount and this is normally done before you leave the boat on the last day. We normally recommend 10% in the Mediterranean, and 10% to 15% in the Caribbean. If there are multiple crew members – just give the tip to the skipper / captain and he’ll allocate it to the crew for you. Otherwise, it can create disharmony amongst the crew. Please however note: Tipping is not compulsory but it does show your gratitude for their service throughout your weeks holiday.
Contact YST Yachting team!: Email the YST Yachting Team We look forward to hearing from you with any questions. We are Here to help you!.
