RYA YACHTMASTER Study Guide 2026

Through-hull fittings (seacocks, transducers, engine cooling inlets) penetrate the hull below the waterline. A failed fitting can cause rapid, dangerous flooding. All should have functioning seacocks and be accessible with emergency bungs nearby.

The watch system must ensure every crew member gets adequate rest while maintaining a proper lookout at all times. Typically, watches are 3-4 hours (shorter at night), with a clear handover briefing on course, weather, and traffic.

Jackstays are strong webbing straps or wires running along each side of the deck. Crew clip their harness tethers to the jackstay, allowing them to move along the deck while remaining securely attached to the yacht.

Fetch is the uninterrupted distance of open water over which the wind has blown. The longer the fetch, the greater the wave height. Offshore areas with long fetches (e.g., Atlantic approaches) can produce very large seas.

An AP near the DR position is chosen with whole-degree values to minimise the complexity of sight reduction tables (e.g., HO 249 or NP 303). The intercept is then plotted from the AP.

Pilot books (sailing directions) provide detailed written descriptions of coastlines, harbours, approaches, recommended tracks, dangers, tidal information, facilities, and local knowledge that supplements the information shown on charts.