"Jeff Morris" wrote in message
...
So what are the requirements? Whenever I search I find sites the talk
about 15
days or 50 days (for the offshore) experience. Only the highest level
requires
a long (600 miles) offshore passage. Whenever I look at them it seems I
would
have been qualified after a year of ocean sailing (on top of 15 years of
dinghy
experience!)

On the other hand, it took almost 10 years of cruising in my own boat to
accumulate enough sea-time for even the 6-pack. And one could do 5
trans-Atlantics and not come close to the required service for even the
"Near-Coastal" ticket.

There is, of course, a major loophole in the US system. If you own your
own
boat, you can "self-certify" the time. It only has to be plausible enough
the
convince the CG officer. Its easy to see that a number of 3 hour trips
could
turn into full days, and somehow 51% of the time spent is 10 mile
offshore. But
I can't believe that anyone would seriously abuse the system.


It's easy enough to tell if someone is experienced by simply watching them
board a boat.

The Yachtmaster exam requires 2000 sea miles(or should that be hours?).
Frankly, I think that the average examiner will assess your experience by
watching you as you board, and walk around the boat.


I'm just about ready to take the practical test. If I decide to do the
test, then I will need to do a three day course to brush up on various
aspects.


Regards


Donal
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