From your first tackto Yachtmaster.
RYA courses aboard between Cannigione, La Maddalena and Corsica, in small groups. Theory and radio courses also in Rome, Rimini, Salerno, Palermo and Puglia.
On Google, Cannigione
5.0
324 reviews · 318 five-star, 6 four-star, none lower

Partendo da zero sono riuscito a passare il yacht master off-shore, grazie a professionisti che lavorano con passione.Starting from zero I managed to pass the Yachtmaster Offshore, thanks to professionals who work with passion. (our translation) Antonio M.Students don’t talk about the school. They talk about who was aboard.
Of 324 reviews, 210 include written comments. In them, instructors are named more than 120 times: for their patience, their method, the way they explain.
- William50
- Fabrizio26
- Leonardo16
- Flavio15
- Nicole11
- Daniele8
From your first tack to command, one stage at a time.
Each certificate asks for days at sea, miles and night hours. Tell us yours and we’ll tell you where to start.
Work out where you startnm = nautical miles required to enrol
Eleven courses, one school.
Compare all coursesA week aboard
Departures from Cannigione and Olbia, all year
Start from zeroCompetent CrewYour first week aboard, as a real member of the crew.5 days aboard (7 from April to September)from €800
Your first commandDay SkipperA week between La Maddalena and Corsica, and you come back a skipper.5 days aboard (7 from April to September)from €800
Longer passagesCoastal SkipperThe bridge between Day Skipper and Yachtmaster, by night too.5 days aboard (7 from April to September)from €800Professional certificates
Theory, practical and exam in one cycle in Olbia
Professional certificateYachtmaster CoastalCommand of commercial yachts, up to 60 miles offshore.Theory 7 daysRYA exam 230 GBP
The benchmarkYachtmaster OffshoreMaster up to 150 miles offshore. The benchmark for professional skippers.Theory 7 daysRYA exam 266 GBP
No limit from shoreYachtmaster OceanSextant, ocean routes and large-scale weather.Theory 6 daysRYA exam 199 GBP
MCA certificateMaster 200 GTMaster up to 200 GT, chief mate up to 500.7 days theory plus 10 online sessions (Mondays 6–8pm)from €1,600Short courses
From half a day to a week
One dayGMDSS SRCYour VHF radio licence, in one day.1 day, in person or onlineRYA exam 76 GBP
Two daysPowerboat Level 2RIBs and tenders, handled properly.2 days on the water
Half a dayPersonal WatercraftJet skis, ridden safely at any speed.4 hours
One weekSteward & StewardessInterior work on superyachts, with two days of real practice aboard.7 days, 2 of them aboardThe base
You learn where the sea teaches.
In the Strait of Bonifacio there’s wind most days, plus currents, lighthouses, islands and sheltered coves for the night. In a week you cross to Corsica and back: it’s the training ground for our courses aboard.
- CannigioneDay Skipper & Competent Crew departures
- La MaddalenaThe archipelago, 6 miles out
- BonifacioCorsica, across the Strait
- Porto CervoCosta Smeralda
- OlbiaClassroom, Marina di Olbia, Yachtmaster exams


Our instructors. Students call them by name.
120+times named in Google reviews
RYA shorebased, sail and power instructors, SRC assessors, FIV instructors
The whole school
William AddobbatiPartner and instructor, Yachtmaster OceanNamed in about 50 reviews. “Infinitely kind and patient […]” (Chris H.)Shorebased Instructor · YM Sailing Instructor · YM Power Instructor · YM Ocean Instructor · Master 200 GT Instructor · Diesel Engine Instructor · GMDSS SRC Assessor · FIV Instructor
Fabrizio MorgiaInstructor, YachtmasterNamed in 26 reviews, mostly by Yachtmaster candidatesShorebased Instructor · YM Sailing Instructor · YM Power Instructor · GMDSS SRC Assessor
Leonardo MolfettaInstructor, SRC & first aid“Personal anecdotes from his long experience at sea” (Filippo C., SRC course, our translation)Shorebased Instructor · YM Sailing Instructor · Diesel Engine Instructor · GMDSS SRC Assessor
Nicole LaiInstructor, power & SRCShorebased Instructor · YM Power Instructor · Powerboat Instructor · GMDSS SRC Assessor
Daniele AnderleInstructor, sailShorebased Instructor · YM Sailing Instructor · GMDSS SRC Assessor
Google reviews, word for word
“TOP by name and by nature.”
There are two types of teachers: those who just want to "get through the curriculum" and those who actually want you to learn and understand the concepts deeply. This is the best sort of teacher...and William is absolutely this sort of teacher. Infinitely kind and patient and full of awesome ways of explaining concepts that you'll remember forever. I can't recommend Top Sail Italy enough. [...]
Partendo da zero sono riuscito a passare il yacht master off-shore, grazie a professionisti che lavorano con passione. C'è qualcos'altro da aggiungere?
Excerpt, our translation
Starting from zero I managed to pass the Yachtmaster Offshore, thanks to professionals who work with passion.
We did this trip as a family of 6 with the fabulous Flavio as our onboard RYA instructor. Everyone agreed it was one of the best weeks we have ever enjoyed on holiday - and we learned So MUCH. [...] We tied up one night at an uninhabited island which was stunning and incredibly special, and spent other nights docked in stunning harbours like Bonifacio and La Maddalena.
Professionalità, umanità e grande passione. Con loro, conseguire lo yacht-master offshore non significa solamente conquistare un pezzo di carta. Con Top Sail si impara veramente ad andare per mare in modo sicuro e pratico. Teoria spiegata benissimo in aule con pochi allievi e pratica...top! Grazie per come siete.
Excerpt, our translation
With Top Sail you really learn to go to sea safely and practically.
One of the best experiences of my life! I did the RYA Day Skipper course in Sardinia with Flavio. He was very dedicated and passionate about sailing, and I really liked his way of teaching - letting us try, make mistakes and learn from them. I will always remember his mantra "Slow as possible, fast as necessary" [...] The course is quite intense, so be prepared to learn a lot!
[...] Grazie alla dedizione nell'insegnamento e alla chiarezza didattica di William, negli anni mi è stato possible raggiungere importanti obiettivi, ottenendo facilmente lo RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Power & Sail, l'MCA Master 500GT OOW 3000GT e lo RYA Yachtmaster Ocean. [...]
Excerpt, our translation
Thanks to William’s dedication and clear teaching, over the years I reached important goals.
Ho partecipato al corso RYA Day Skipper + GMDSS SRC a ottobre '25: è stata un'esperienza che porterò sempre nel cuore. Il marina, le barche, lo yacht club, le lezioni e il materiale, in definitiva l'organizzazione del corso è stata perfetta (anche la cambusa in barca!). Gli istruttori Daniele e Flavio sono stati di una professionalità e competenza infinite, e sono due persone davvero piacevoli e allegre. [...]
Excerpt, our translation
The organisation of the course was perfect (even the galley on board!).
Ho seguito il corso SRC con Leo ed è stata un'esperienza che ha superato ogni aspettativa. Ha trattato gli argomenti in maniera esaustiva e interessante, arricchendo le nozioni con aneddoti personali tratti dalla sua lunga esperienza in mare. Consiglio vivamente Top Sail e l'istruttore Leonardo per la sua professionalità e la sua disponibilità.
Excerpt, our translation
I took the SRC course with Leo and it exceeded every expectation.
I did a dayskipper course with Top Sail based from Olbia in May 2026. William and Paola are very fine sailors and passionately pass on a LOT of their knowledge during the week. Both practice and theory (on the go) are to the highest RYA standards. English has rarely been a burden although neither their or my mother tongue. The Pogo 36 we were sailing on (4 guys plus instructor) is a wonderful sailboat with lots of sail options to learn. [...]
Ho appena concluso il corso Day Skipper e posso che dire che è stata un'esperienza perfetta sotto ogni punto di vista. William è estremamente competente, sempre disponibile e soprattutto appassionato della sua professione: non si stanca mai di condividere le sue conoscenze e di rispondere ad ogni domanda o dubbio. Abbiamo imparato moltissimo, sia in teoria che in pratica, e oltre alla formazione, abbiamo avuto l'opportunità di esplorare luoghi mozzafiato di Sardegna e Corsica. Consiglio Top Sail Italy a chiunque voglia svolgere questo corso!
Excerpt, our translation
We learned an enormous amount, in theory and in practice.
Aboard, August is already full. October to March, 5 days for €800.
Every course aboard in August 2027 is sold out; June and July dates are not published yet. From October to March the Day Skipper runs 5 days for €800; in July and August, 7 days for €1,050.
Full calendar- 29OctDay Skipper & Competent Crew29 Oct – 2 Nov 2026 · Marina di OlbiaSold out
- 2NovGMDSS SRC2 Nov 2026 · Olbia
- 3NovYachtmaster · theory3 Nov 2026 · Olbia, classroom, Via Namibia
- 11NovDay Skipper & Competent Crew11–15 Nov 2026 · Cannigione
- 16NovMaster 200 GT16–22 Nov 2026
- 23NovYachtmaster Ocean23–29 Nov 2026
- 25NovCoastal Skipper25–29 Nov 2026 · Marina di Olbia (MOYS)Sold out
- 25NovDay Skipper & Competent Crew25–29 Nov 2026 · CannigioneSold out
- 4DecDay Skipper & Competent Crew4–8 Dec 2026 · Cannigione
- 7DecYachtmaster · theory7–13 Dec 2026 · Olbia, classroom, Via Roma
- 6JanCoastal Skipper6–10 Jan 2027 · Marina di Olbia (MOYS)
- 8JanMaster 200 GT8–14 Jan 2027
- 8JanYachtmaster · theory8–14 Jan 2027 · Olbia, classroom, Via Roma
- 8FebYachtmaster · theory8–14 Feb 2027 · Olbia, classroom, Via Roma
- 3MarCoastal Skipper3–7 Mar 2027 · Marina di Olbia (MOYS)
- 3MarDay Skipper & Competent Crew3–7 Mar 2027 · Cannigione
- 25MarCoastal Skipper25–31 Mar 2027 · Marina di Olbia (MOYS)
- 25MarDay Skipper & Competent Crew25–31 Mar 2027 · Cannigione
Between courses, the school stays in your pocket.
The Yachtmaster is entirely in English and the exam is oral. That’s why Top Sail students get an app: lessons, quizzes with exam pass marks, chartwork on the RYA chart, and an examiner that questions you like the real one will.
- Study8 chapters, bilingual diagrams, English audio
- Chartwork13 exercise types, including on the training chart
- PracticePass-mark quizzes, flash cards, spoken questions
- ExaminerAsk, practise, mock oral with a report



A week, seen by those who were there.
Photos students left with their reviews: the archipelago, manoeuvres, chartwork on deck, dinners in the cockpit. Tap one to see it full size.
The sea in Sardinia. Theory close to home.
Practical courses and Yachtmaster exams are in Sardinia. Day Skipper and Yachtmaster theory and the GMDSS SRC radio course also run in Rome, Rimini, Salerno, Palermo and Puglia.
- Top Sail Italy SardiniaCannigione & OlbiaThe sea base: sail and power practicals, Yachtmaster exams, classroom theory
- Top Sail Italy RomeOstia, Lega NavaleDay Skipper & Yachtmaster theory, GMDSS SRC
- Top Sail Italy AdriaticaRimini & RavennaDay Skipper & Yachtmaster theory, GMDSS SRC
- Top Sail Italy SalernoSalerno & EboliDay Skipper & Yachtmaster theory, GMDSS SRC
- Top Sail Italy SicilyPalermoTheory, GMDSS SRC, first aid
- Top Sail Italy PugliaGallipoli & BisceglieDay Skipper & Yachtmaster theory, GMDSS SRC
What people search before enrolling.
All questionsI have never sailed. Where do I start?
With Competent Crew: five days aboard, no prerequisites. It runs on the same boat as the Day Skipper, so beginners sail alongside people one step ahead. To see where you stand, try “Where do I start”: enter your days and miles and we’ll suggest the right course.
Is the RYA Yachtmaster valid in Italy?
It depends on the flag. With commercial endorsement, the Yachtmaster is accepted by flags that approve it (UK and Red Ensign, Malta, San Marino and others), not the Italian flag. The MCA Master 200 GT, which we prepare you for, is recognised by more flags. Italian rules for professional yachting changed in 2024: ask us about your case before enrolling.
Courses are in English. What if my English isn’t perfect?
RYA courses and exams are in English, but the instructors are Italian and help you when needed. For Yachtmaster you need good English, because the examiner is external. The study app trains you for the oral in English too.
How much is a Day Skipper?
From €800 for 5 days, October to March, up to €1,050 for 7 days in July and August. Boat, fuel, moorings, linen and certificate included; provisions and travel excluded.
How long from zero to Yachtmaster Offshore?
It depends on your miles: you need 2,500, with 50 days at sea and 5 long passages, half of them in tidal waters, i.e. outside the Med. Sailing one week every two or three months, roughly one to two and a half years. Coastal Skipper and mile-building weeks in Sardinia also count towards your miles.
What do I need to work on yachts?
To start as deckhand or stew: STCW basic training, ENG1 medical and English. To skipper: a commercially endorsed Yachtmaster. For command up to 200 GT: Master 200 GT. “Working at sea” lays it all out.