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The IYT Bareboat Skipper course 

is a beginner-level captain’s course

designed for those with little or no prior experience who wish to obtain an international skipper license. The IYT Bareboat Skipper Certificate allows you to charter a bareboat yacht without a captain and skipper it yourself for a holiday with family or friends. 

Requirements


Previous sea experience is not required.


The candidate must be at least 16 years old.


Applicants must hold a VHF certificate or complete the VHF/SRC course together with the Bareboat Skipper course.


By the end of the course, the candidate must have logged at least 200 nautical miles and a minimum of 10 days at sea.

What’s Included in the Course Price


• Access to the online theory courses: IYT Bareboat Skipper and IYT VHF Radio Operator
• Accommodation in a double (DBL) cabin, including bed linen
• Practical training on a yacht with a certified captain-instructor
• IYT Skipper Logbook
• All required textbooks and study materials
• Theory and practical exams for IYT Bareboat Skipper
• VHF/SRC test (IYT)


• Meals on board (including meals for the captain-instructor)
• Two IYT certificates (Bareboat Skipper + VHF Radio Operator) – €175 (issued after successful exams)
• Fuel, final cleaning, and insurance – €100
• Marina fees

(Additional expenses for the entire training period are typically about €300, excluding the cost of certificates)


How long does it take and what do you get?

In just 6-10 days, you can obtain your internationally recognized IYT Bareboat Skipper Certificate and legally charter and skipper a yacht worldwide.

6-10 days
• 6 days – for students with a Crew Certificate or prior sailing experience

• 10 days – for students without certificates or previous experience

24 meters
Maximum yacht length you can command - 78 feet / 24 meters long

20 miles
In coastal waters up to 20 miles offshore in good weather

Prices and dates for 2026


IYT Bareboat skipper price in Montenegro, Turkey, France, Spain


€ 1190.00 
Payment Condition

  • Advance payment: €500
  • Full payment: due one month before the practical training date.

Send Request
  • Available dates
  •  March 21–28 - Turkey, Fethiye
  •  April 25 – May 2 - Turkey, Fethiye
  •  April 17–25 - Montenegro, Kotor
  •  April 25 – May 2 - Montenegro, Kotor
  •  May 2–9 - France, Toulon
  •  May 30 – June 6 - Turkey, Fethiye
  •  October 24–31 - Turkey, Fethiye


IYT Bareboat skipper price in Estonia, Pärnu


€ 1090.00 
Payment Conditions

  • Advance payment: €300
  • Full payment: due one month before the practical training date.

Send Request
  • Available dates
  • May 19–29
  • June 14–24
  •  July 3–14
  •  July 16–26
  •  July 28 – August 7
  •  August 9–19
  •  August 30 – September 7
  •  September 18–28
  •  October 12–22

Want to obtain an ICC certificate together with your IYT Bareboat Skipper certificate?


ICC certificate       All yacht courses 2026

At Yacht Challenge, you can complete the IYT Bareboat Skipper course in English, German, Russian, or Estonian.


Training captains is a creative process. We don’t simply ask you to memorize information - we help you understand the principles of navigation, feel confident at the helm, and learn how to make the right decisions in every situation

How to Become a Yacht Skipper and Obtain the IYT Bareboat Skipper Certificate




You choose convenient dates and a location for your practical training together with us..



We register you on our website and create your student account (we will need your full name, phone number, and address).
 


 You make an advance payment:
• €300 for courses in Estonia
• €500 for courses in other locations


You receive access to the online theory courses: IYT Bareboat Skipper and IYT VHF Radio Operator.



You study the theory online at your own pace, at any time convenient for you.



You pay the remaining balance one month before the start of the practical training.



You complete the practical training on board.

• You arrive at the agreed location and time.
• Accommodation is on the yacht.
• A shared onboard budget (“ship’s cash”) is usually formed to cover food, marina fees, and fuel (approximately €200 per person per week).
• Daily practical and theoretical sessions include mooring, sailing under sail and engine, man overboard procedures, anchoring, navigation and positioning, chart work, and passage planning.
• Breakfasts and lunches are typically prepared on board; dinners can be enjoyed in local restaurants if desired.
• At the end of the training, you complete the final assessment: passage planning, departure from the pier, sailing exercises, and mooring.

• You pass the required theory and practical exams and pay for your IYT Bareboat Skipper and VHF Radio Operator certificates.



You register at iytnet.com and provide us with your IYT ID number.


We issue your digital temporary certificate and order your plastic card-style certificates.

The temporary certificate is valid for two months until you receive your plastic cards by post.

IYT also offers an express three-day review and courier delivery service for an additional fee.
If you have not yet decided on the dates for your practical skipper training, you can start with the theory only.

Price for the IYT Bareboat Skipper Theoretical Course:

€200 - Self-study online
• Includes access to the online course
• Final theory test conducted via Skype with a captain-instructor
• IYT logbook with confirmation of completed theoretical training
• €100 discount on the practical course

€350 - Online training with a captain-instructor
• Live online theory sessions with a captain-instructor
• Final theory test
• IYT logbook with confirmation of completed theoretical training

• €100 discount on the practical course

Questions?

Frequently asked questions

Here you’ll find answers to the most common questions about our sailing courses and training experience.

Yes. The IYT Bareboat Skipper certificate is internationally recognized and allows you to charter yachts worldwide.

Yes. You stay on board the yacht in a shared cabin during the practical training.

Meals, marina fees, fuel, final cleaning, and certificate issuance fees are paid separately.

You should revalidate your Bareboat Skipper IYT certificate every 5 years. To revalidate your certificate you should enter into your account on web-site iytnet.com, tick “revalidate”, and pay for plastic card revalidation.

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