IYT Bareboat Skipper
Course
From your first time at sea to confidently handling a yacht. Practical Bareboat Skipper training with an international certificate — in Turkey.
How the IYT Bareboat Skipper training formats differ
The IYT Bareboat Skipper course can be taken at different paces: the short format suits those with some experience, the 11-day intensive is ideal for beginners, and the 14-day course allows more time for practice and skill reinforcement. All formats lead to the same goal: preparing for the exam and independent yacht handling.
7 days: for experienced sailors & VIP
- Theory and practice combined
- Daily sailing sessions
- Navigation, docking, sail handling
- Exam on the last day
11 days: intensive course for beginners
- For those with no prior experience
- 200+ nautical miles of practice
- Theory and practice every day
- In-depth manoeuvre training
- Exam on the last day
14 days: comfortable course for beginners
- Same program as the 11-day
- Less intensive than the 11-day
- Navigation in new waters
- Preparation for independent charters
Where does the IYT course take place?
Practical training takes place in well-established sailing areas with varying sea conditions. The Turkish coast offers warm water, steady winds, and hundreds of miles of scenic routes.
The course format and certification standard are the same across all locations. Choose based on dates and travel convenience.
School, Instructors, fleet →How the program on board works
Training is built as a sequence: theory, action on the yacht, error analysis, repetition, and exam preparation. Navigation, docking, sail handling, and crew teamwork are reinforced not separately from practice, but right within the training route.
Theoretical Preparation
Navigation, meteorology, maritime law, collision regulations. Theory runs alongside practice — you immediately apply knowledge on the water. No need to memorise in advance: the program is designed so that everything sinks in through action.
Practice on the Yacht
Sail handling, docking, rigging work, manoeuvres in the harbour. You steer the yacht every day under the instructor's supervision. The route is designed to cover different conditions: port, open sea, and manoeuvres.
Exam Preparation
The IYT exam is no more daunting than a good training day. Your instructor prepares you for every element: knot tying, manoeuvring, chart work, oral questioning. By exam time, you've already done all of this in real conditions.
Certification and Results
After the exam, you receive an international IYT Bareboat Skipper certificate. It is accepted by most charter companies, and the course provides a solid foundation for independent yacht rental. This is not just a piece of paper — it's proof of real skill.
What you gain after the IYT Bareboat Skipper course
-
Yacht handling skills
Docking, navigation, sail management, and handling in challenging conditions. Both theory and techniques practised at sea.
-
International IYT Certificate
A document recognised by charter companies worldwide. With it, you can rent a yacht from Croatia to the Caribbean.
-
A clear next step
After the course — charter, practice, regattas. Graduates receive a discount of up to -35% on their first charter and support in planning their route.
-
Real nautical miles
From 100 to 300 miles depending on the course format — real experience, not simulator training.
The IYT Bareboat Skipper certificate is an international licence for yacht operation. Where does it apply, and what does it mean legally?
More about licences and certificates →Can I take the Bareboat Skipper course without experience?
Yes, you can take the Bareboat Skipper course without experience if you choose the format for beginners. At the start, what matters most is not "sea time" but your readiness to work on board daily — learning navigation, manoeuvres, docking, and teamwork.
Since 2011, the exam pass rate has been above 96%. The course is structured so that by exam time, you are confidently doing everything required. The instructor monitors each student's progress and gives extra attention to specific elements if needed.
The Bareboat Skipper course is designed for those starting from scratch. No prior preparation is required — the program progresses from simple to complex. Most students come with no experience and earn their certificate in one course.
Training takes place on comfortable 40–50 ft yachts. Accommodation is organised so that life on board is calm and comfortable: shower, galley, water supply, and a clear daily rhythm. In the evening, the yacht docks in a marina — you can go ashore, have dinner at a restaurant, and relax. This is not "survival" — it's a normal life at sea.
Groups are small — typically 4–5 people per yacht. This is enough for team dynamics and comfortable enough for everyone to receive individual attention from the instructor. The school attracts motivated, interesting adults.
Yachts for IYT practical training
The training fleet, standards, and teaching methods are as important as the program itself — these are the yachts you learn on, live on during the course, and gain the experience that will make your first charter easier.
Why Open Sea delivers practical results
Own yachts
Our own fleet, not rented boats. Yachts are maintained and prepared for each course.
Years of experience
A well-developed program, stable schedule, and numerous courses each year.
Start dates per year
Groups run on schedule. No need to wait for a minimum number of participants — choose a date that suits you.
Instructors
Experienced skippers with thousands of miles. Each is an active sailor, not just a teacher.
Exam pass rate
A result of thorough preparation and course structure, not an "easy" exam.
On your first charter
Graduates receive a discount on yacht rental. The journey doesn't end with the certificate.
Our instructors are the foundation of course quality. Each is an active skipper with international certifications and thousands of miles sailed.
Meet the instructors →What to explore before signing up
Sailing Licence
What documents you receive, where they are valid, and how they differ from other licences.
Learn more →
Our sailing school
What to look for, what questions to ask, and how to evaluate a school before paying.
Learn more →
Our instructors
At Open Sea we believe: to become the best, you must learn from the best.
Instructors →Frequently Asked Questions about the IYT Bareboat Skipper course
No. The Bareboat Skipper course is designed for people with no experience. The program progresses from simple to complex. Everyone starts with the basics: steering in protected waters, basic manoeuvres, knots, and sail handling. Each day the difficulty increases — but by then, you already have a solid foundation.
The exam consists of practical and theoretical parts. Practical: docking, manoeuvring, chart work, knot tying. Theory: a test on collision regulations, meteorology, and navigation signs. Your instructor prepares you for each element during the course, so by exam time, you've already done everything multiple times.
If you're short on time — 7 days. It's an intensive program sufficient for the certificate. If you want more practice and confidence — 11 days. This is the most popular format: enough miles, a comfortable pace, and time for night navigation. 14 days — for those who want maximum preparation and plan to sail independently right after the course.
Practical training takes place in Turkey (Aegean and Mediterranean coasts). Turkey is the main destination with a long season, stable winds, and well-developed marina infrastructure. The course format and certification standard are the same across locations.
The IYT Bareboat Skipper certificate is accepted by most charter companies and helps you transition to independent yacht rental. After the course, many graduates go on to charter, join regattas, or continue to the next level. The school helps with planning your first charter and offers a discount to graduates.
The school provides logistical support: flight recommendations, transfers, and accommodation advice. For Turkey, direct flights from major European hubs to Antalya or Bodrum. From there, a transfer to the marina can be arranged through the school. No "figure it out yourself" — the route is straightforward and tried-and-tested.
Start simple —
find out the upcoming dates
Leave a request, and we'll help you choose a convenient format and start date. We'll tell you about the program, answer your questions, and assist with logistics. No obligations — just the first step.
Send your enquiry
Find out about upcoming dates, discounts, and conditions