The Fast Track sailing course is 14 week skipper training programme, taking the candidates from complete beginners to experienced Yachtmaster Offshore skippers.
From our base in Maryport, West Cumbria, you will embark on the experience of a lifetime as you learn new skills with every passing day, until you leave our company, a fully qualified Yachtmaster skipper 14 weeks later.

The first part of your training is based between our classroom in Maryport, and Misbehaviour, our Sigma 38 OOD, as you learn the ropes in and around the beautiful Solway Firth and Irish Sea.

During this 3 week period, you'll undertake the RYA Day Skipper theory, RYA Day Skipper practical, VHF/DSC Radio, First Aid, Sea Survival and the RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore theory courses. You complete your RYA Coastal Skipper Practical week en-route.

With a maximum of 4 students on board, we can guarantee that you'll receive the best instruction possible, maintaining the high standards set by the RYA. Our experienced instructors will lead you through the courses, until completion of the RYA Coastal Skipper practical week. After that our team of experienced skippers take over to watch you safely through to the end of the course.

During the course you will gain qualifications in the following:
          · RYA Competent Crew
          · RYA Day Skipper Theory
          · RYA Day Skipper Practical
          · RYA Restricted (VHF DSC only) Radio
          · REC Cruising First Aid
          · RYA Sea Survival for Small Craft
          · RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Theory
          · RYA Coastal Skipper Practical
          · RYA/DoT Coastal Skipper Certificate of Competence Examination
          · RYA/DoT Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence Examination
Included extras:
          · RYA Radar

FREE! with your fast track sailing course: RYA Powerboat Level 2 & a weekend shakedown sail

Optional extras:
          · RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory
          · RYA Yachtmaster Ocean qualifying passage

If all candidates wish to take the Yachtmaster Ocean qualifying passage, this can be arranged as part of the Fast Track course at no extra cost. Alternatively, it can be completed at a later date.

The RYA/DoT Certificate of Competence

After a short examination, the successful candidates will be issued with a Certificate of Competence. These entitle the holders to use their qualifications for commercial purposes (in addition to the qualifications gained earlier in the course, if you wish to obtain a commercial endorsement you will also require a Medical Fitness Certificate, obtainable from the RYA, or you can download one here, which must be completed by a GP).

The next Fasttrack course will run from June - September 2008 

The Fast Track Sailing Course Fees

The complete Fast Track fee is £5,950.00pp

Unlike other sailing schools, our price is fully inclusive of food, all RYA fees, examinations, certificates, mooring fees, diesel and waterproofs (good quality foul weather gear), making Four Points West the best value around.

Extras included:

RYA Radar, although not required by the RYA/DoT for Certificates of Competence, will be given while on passage, at no extra charge.

RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory with exam
This can be arranged for you upon arrival back at Maryport. As with the previous theory courses this will be an intensive 5 day course. Though we'll arrange accommodation at a local B&B to give you a break from the yacht!
Price: £250.00pp fully inclusive of bed & breakfast accommodation, course fees & materials and examination fee.

RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Qualifying Passage
As mentioned above, this can be included in the 14 week course, only if all candidates on board wish to complete it. Should the opportunity not arise for you to complete the passage, we can take you out from Maryport (after a suitable recovery period!) for the 600 mile non stop passage required to gain the Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence.
Price: £300.00pp (minimum numbers apply)

It is recommended that you have a little experience of being on the water before embarking on a Fast Track sailing course. A few days is all that's needed to ensure you get the most out of the all important first couple of weeks. Should you require a tester session before you set off, we are happy to arrange that for you before the Fast Track starts.

After all this, it's completely up to you what you do with your new found skills. Whether it be taking a job as a skipper on board a luxury yacht in the Med, delivering yachts across oceans, teaching others what you have learned (Cruising Instructor assessments and Shorebased Instructor courses can be arranged) or simply having the confidence to go sailing whenever and wherever you please.
The oceans will become your playground.