Syllabus
Yachtmaster syllabus, mapped topic by topic
The theory syllabus is broad and it is easy to over-revise the parts you enjoy. This is the whole map, with how heavily each area is represented in a 659 question Yachtmaster bank, so you can plan by weight rather than by preference.
- Core topic areas
- 10Core topic areas
- Yachtmaster questions
- 659Yachtmaster questions
- Questions across all levels
- 1527Questions across all levels
The topic areas
- COLREGs, the single heaviest area and the one examiners press hardest
- Navigation and chartwork, position fixing, course to steer, EP and dead reckoning
- Tides, secondary ports, heights, streams and clearance under bridges and over banks
- Meteorology, synoptic charts, fronts, wind, sea state, fog and forecasts
- Pilotage, transits, clearing bearings and harbour entry planning
- Passage planning, tidal gates, contingency ports and crew management
- Safety, distress procedures, man overboard, liferafts and pyrotechnics
- Seamanship, anchoring, berthing, towing, ropework and heavy weather
- Buoyage, lights and shapes, night identification and IALA Region A
- Stability and the practical limits of a small craft
A sensible study order
Start with COLREGs and buoyage, because they are heavily weighted and largely learnable. Move to tides and navigation, where the marks are lost to arithmetic under pressure. Meteorology and passage planning last, since they lean on everything above.
Beyond Yachtmaster
The same platform carries Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper, STCW Basic Safety, Master 200gt, SRC VHF and AEC engine theory, so a pathway from first certificate to commercial ticket lives in one place with one readiness view.
Common questions
Does this replace the official syllabus document?
No. It is a study map built from our own question bank. Always check the current official syllabus from your training centre.
Which topic should I start with?
COLREGs. It carries the most weight, it is the most testable, and confidence there settles most of the exam.
How do I know when a topic is done?
Full coverage of the topic plus 80 percent or better accuracy. The readiness score shows both, so a high score on a handful of questions never reads as mastery.
Start revising today
Build a question bank habit, track readiness by topic and walk into the exam knowing where you stand.
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