Pre-exam Experience
As with any exam, the more practice you have beforehand, the more confident you will feel. Before your exam, if you sign up to a prep week with Mylor Yacht Cruising, then we will be more adventurous than the usual weekend trip to your favourite anchorage. We will enter some new harbours like Falmouth, Mylor, and Fowey, to refine your pilotage. We will also undertake night entry into harbours to be aware of the problems.
There is no requirement for you to attend an RYA course before your exam. However, it is often worth receiving some tuition, if only to find out your strengths and weaknesses.
What Happens During an Exam?
Your RYA examiner will meet you onboard and talk you through the plan for the day. They understand that you could be nervous and will do their best to allay your fears and make sure you are clear about what they want you to do. They are there to find out what you can do, rather than pick holes.
You will be asked to undertake a short passage, but you may have to plan a longer one. In general, you should skipper the yacht in your normal style. If this means putting the kettle on every half hour, then do it!
