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.

-jeff

"Donal" wrote in message
...

"Jeff Morris" wrote in message
...
The "chartwork" portion of the USCG test is actually rather demanding.
Its not
so hard for those of us that learned to navigate the "old way," but a lot
of
newcomers have trouble with running fixes, etc. I know several people
that
passed the other portions but failed chartwork.

While its true that the Yachtmaster test has a real live "hands on"
component
that is lacking in the USCG test, it is possible to get the highest level
with
only 2 months experience. The "Coastal Skipper" only requires a few
weeks.

The "2 months" version is a recent course, that IMHO violates the spirit of
the Yachtmaster certificate.

AFAIK, only one school offers such a short course. It is used by people who
want to work at sea.

Most recreational sailors would have 5-10 years experience before doing the
practical test.
I've only done the shorebased element.



Happy Christmas

Donal
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