Yacht Master Class — Terms & Conditions

 Last updated: 15 May 2026

These Booking Terms & Conditions apply to all sailing instruction, coaching, courses, and related training services provided by Patrik Lindr operating as Yacht Master Class (“Yacht Master Class”, “YMC”, “we”, “us”, or “our”).

Please read these Terms carefully before booking. By making a booking, paying a deposit, attending a course, or taking part in training with YMC, you agree to these Terms together with the details set out in your booking confirmation or invoice.

These Terms are intended to be clear, fair, and practical. They do not limit any rights you may have under applicable consumer protection law.

1. What Yacht Master Class provides

Yacht Master Class provides sailing instruction and coaching in British Columbia and elsewhere by arrangement. Training may include:

·       private tuition on a client’s own vessel;

·       private tuition on a YMC-arranged training vessel;

·       scheduled small-group sailing courses;

·       IYT certification courses where applicable;

·       own-boat coaching, refresher training, and preparation for cruising, chartering, or certification.

YMC provides instructional services. Unless expressly agreed in writing, YMC does not provide passenger transport, sightseeing trips, bareboat charter, skippered charter holidays, or non-training vessel services.

Where training takes place on Tarka of Orwell or another YMC-arranged vessel, the vessel is used for the purpose of on-the-water recreational boating instruction, subject to the applicable Transport Canada, insurance, and operational limits in place at the time.

2. The booking contract

Your contract with YMC consists of:

1.      these Booking Terms & Conditions;

2.      your booking confirmation, invoice, or written course confirmation;

3.      any course-specific joining instructions;

4.      any applicable waiver, medical declaration, own-boat declaration, or student registration form.

A booking is only confirmed once YMC has accepted the booking and the required deposit or payment has been received.

Your booking confirmation will normally include:

·       the participant name(s);

·       the service or course booked;

·       the training date(s) or proposed date range;

·       the meeting location or operating area where known;

·       the price, taxes, and payment schedule;

·       any important prerequisites or preparation requirements;

·       links or attachments to these Terms and any waiver or forms.

If anything in your booking confirmation conflicts with these Terms, the booking confirmation applies only to that specific booking.

3. Prices, taxes, and payment

All prices are in Canadian dollars unless stated otherwise.

Prices are exclusive of GST unless expressly stated as “including GST.” Any applicable taxes will be shown on your invoice or booking confirmation.

YMC may accept payment by Interac e-transfer, credit card, bank transfer, or another method agreed in writing. Any bank charges, foreign exchange costs, or card processing fees charged by a third party are the client’s responsibility unless otherwise agreed.

YMC may withhold confirmation, certificates, course completion records, or future bookings until all amounts owing have been paid.

4. Deposits, confirmation dates, and balance payments

4.1 General payment structure

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all YMC bookings require a 50% deposit at the time of booking.

The booking is only confirmed once YMC has accepted the booking and the deposit has been received.

The remaining balance is due according to the booking type and course confirmation date below.

4.2 Scheduled group courses

For scheduled group courses, the balance is due by the course confirmation date:

Course type Confirmation / balance date

Intro Day Sail 7 days before the course

Weekend Course 10 days before the course

5-Day Intensive 30 days before the course

The dates above are the standard confirmation / balance dates. For newly released, short-notice, pilot, private group, or special courses, YMC may set a different confirmation / balance date in the course listing, booking confirmation, or invoice. Where a specific confirmation / balance date is stated in writing, that date applies.

If booking after the relevant confirmation / balance date, full payment is due at booking.

4.3 Private tuition

For private tuition, including own-boat tuition and private training on a YMC-arranged vessel:

·       a 50% deposit is due at booking;

·       the balance is due 14 days before the training start date;

·       for one-day or short-notice bookings, YMC may agree to a shorter balance deadline in writing;

·       for multi-day, liveaboard, travel-based, or vessel-booked private tuition, YMC may require the balance earlier where significant time, travel, vessel, or third-party costs are committed.

4.4 Non-payment

If payment is not received by the due date, YMC may release the booking, cancel the course place, or postpone training. In that case, the client cancellation terms may apply.

5. Minimum enrolment for scheduled group courses

Scheduled group courses normally require a minimum number of students before the course is confirmed.

Unless otherwise stated:

·       scheduled group courses are confirmed once 3 students are booked and paid;

·       YMC may choose to run a course with fewer students, but is not required to do so;

·       the minimum enrolment check takes place on the relevant confirmation date listed in Section 4.2;

·       if minimum enrolment is not reached by the confirmation date, YMC may offer a transfer to another date, a full refund of amounts paid, a credit, or a semi-private option at an adjusted rate.

If a course is not yet confirmed, students should avoid making non-refundable travel or accommodation arrangements unless they are comfortable accepting that risk.

Private group bookings may have different pricing, confirmation dates, or minimum numbers, as set out in the booking confirmation.

6. Client cancellation and rescheduling

Please tell YMC as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule. Because sailing courses have limited spaces, and because instructor time, vessel time, insurance, food, certification fees, moorage, and other costs may be committed in advance, cancellation terms become stricter as the course date approaches.

6.1 Scheduled group courses

For scheduled group courses:

·       More than 45 days before the course start date: amounts paid will be refunded, less a $75 administration fee and any non-recoverable third-party costs already incurred.

·       45 days or fewer before the course start date, but before the confirmation / balance date: the 50% deposit is retained.

·       After the confirmation / balance date: no refund is due.

·       Non-attendance, late arrival, or withdrawal after the course has started: no refund is due.

Where possible, YMC may offer a transfer to a future course date instead of a cancellation. Transfers are subject to availability and are not guaranteed.

In special circumstances, such as medical emergencies or other extenuating circumstances, cancellation may be handled on an individual basis.

6.2 Private tuition

For private tuition, including own-boat tuition and private training on a YMC-arranged vessel:

·       More than 45 days before the training start date: amounts paid will be refunded, less a $75 administration fee and any non-recoverable third-party costs already incurred.

·       45 days or fewer before the training start date, but more than 14 days before the training start date: the 50% deposit is retained.

·       14 days or fewer before the training start date: the full fee is payable and no refund is due.

·       Non-attendance, late arrival, or withdrawal after training has started: no refund is due.

YMC may, at its discretion, offer one reschedule where it is practical and fair to do so. Rescheduling is not guaranteed, particularly where vessel time, travel, course materials, or third-party costs have already been committed.

6.3 Non-recoverable costs

Non-recoverable costs may include, but are not limited to, food, course materials, certification fees, travel, accommodation, vessel booking costs, moorage, permits, third-party charges, or other expenses reasonably incurred for the booking.

6.4 Replacement participants

For group courses, you may request to transfer your place to another suitable participant. YMC may accept or refuse a replacement participant at its discretion, particularly where prerequisites, experience level, safety, certification requirements, or group suitability are relevant.

7. Changes, postponement, or cancellation by YMC

Sailing is weather-dependent and vessel-dependent. YMC may change, postpone, curtail, or cancel a session or course where reasonably necessary for safety, weather, sea state, vessel condition, mechanical issues, instructor illness, regulatory compliance, insurance requirements, minimum enrolment, or other operational reasons.

YMC may change:

·       the route or itinerary;

·       the training area;

·       the vessel;

·       the meeting point;

·       the order of syllabus delivery;

·       the ratio of shore-based to on-water training;

·       the timing of specific exercises;

·       the course format, where safety or learning quality requires it.

If YMC cancels a course before it starts, you will normally be offered a reschedule, credit, or refund of amounts paid for the undelivered service.

If a course has already started and YMC must modify the programme for safety or operational reasons, YMC may provide alternative training content, shore-based teaching, passage planning, or other suitable instruction. A refund is not automatically due simply because the itinerary or exact sailing plan changes.

Where a material part of the booked service cannot be delivered at all, YMC will act reasonably and may offer a reschedule, credit, or pro-rated refund for the undelivered portion.

8. Weather and safety decisions

The instructor or skipper in command has final authority over all safety and operational decisions.

This includes decisions about whether to depart, continue, return, reef, anchor, enter a harbour, postpone a manoeuvre, restrict participation, alter the itinerary, or stop training.

YMC will not intentionally place students, crew, vessel, or instructor in conditions that are unsuitable for the vessel, crew, student level, forecast, or training objective.

Students must respect the instructor’s safety decisions. Disagreement with a safety decision does not create a right to refund.

9. Participant responsibilities

Participants must:

·       arrive on time and prepared;

·       bring suitable clothing, footwear, medication, and personal items;

·       follow safety instructions promptly;

·       behave respectfully toward the instructor, other students, the vessel, marina staff, and the public;

·       disclose relevant medical or fitness issues before training;

·       meet any stated prerequisites for the course;

·       take reasonable care of themselves, others, and the vessel;

·       comply with all onboard safety, alcohol, drug, and smoking rules.

YMC may refuse or remove a participant from training if, in YMC’s reasonable opinion, that person is unsafe, unfit, impaired, disruptive, abusive, dishonest about prerequisites, or unable to participate without unacceptable risk to themselves, others, or the vessel.

Where a participant is removed or refused participation for these reasons, no refund is due.

10. Fitness, medical information, and swimming ability

Sailing involves movement around a vessel, changing weather, wet decks, physical effort, confined spaces, and limited access to immediate shore-based assistance.

Participants are responsible for ensuring they are medically and physically suitable for the training booked.

Before training begins, participants must tell YMC about any medical condition, injury, medication, allergy, mobility limitation, disability, anxiety, swimming limitation, dietary issue, or other matter that could affect:

·       their safety;

·       the safety of others;

·       their ability to participate;

·       emergency response;

·       evacuation or first aid;

·       food planning on liveaboard courses.

YMC will handle this information respectfully and use it only for appropriate booking, safety, emergency, certification, insurance, or legal purposes.

YMC may decline participation or adjust training where a disclosed or observed condition creates an unacceptable safety risk.

11. Alcohol, drugs, and smoking

YMC courses are training programmes.

There is no alcohol consumption while sailing, during training hours, or before any training activity where impairment could affect safety.

If securely moored and the day’s training is complete, moderate alcohol consumption ashore may be acceptable, provided the participant is fit for the next day’s training. Please do not bring personal alcohol onboard unless expressly agreed.

Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited. Cannabis or other substances that may impair judgement, reaction time, coordination, or participation are not permitted during training.

Any participant who is, or appears to be, under the influence of alcohol or drugs may be refused participation or removed from the course without refund.

Smoking and vaping are not permitted onboard, below deck, or near fuel, gas, safety equipment, or other students. Smoking may only take place ashore where permitted.

12. Certification and assessment

Course fees cover training and instruction. They do not guarantee a certificate, endorsement, recommendation, exam pass, or course completion sign-off.

For certification courses, the participant must meet the required standard in the instructor’s professional judgement and satisfy any applicable syllabus, prerequisite, assessment, exam, seatime, age, VHF, identity, medical, or administrative requirements.

Assessment may include practical performance, theory knowledge, judgement, safety awareness, leadership, command ability, conduct, and overall readiness for the certificate or level sought.

Attendance alone does not guarantee certification.

If a participant does not yet meet the required standard, YMC will explain the reason where practicable and may suggest further training or experience.

YMC may be required to share certain student information with IYT or another certification body for registration, assessment, certificate issue, quality control, or audit purposes.

13. Prerequisites and student declarations

Some courses have prerequisites. These may include prior experience, logged mileage, seatime, theory knowledge, a VHF certificate, minimum age, or a previous certificate.

Participants are responsible for providing accurate information about their experience and qualifications.

If a participant books onto a course without meeting the prerequisites, YMC may:

·       move the participant to a more suitable course;

·       offer private preparation;

·       allow participation without certification eligibility;

·       refuse participation;

·       withhold certification.

No refund is due where a participant misrepresents their experience, qualifications, age, medical condition, or eligibility.

14. Own-boat tuition

This section applies where training takes place on a vessel owned, chartered, managed, or supplied by the client.

Unless expressly agreed in writing:

·       YMC provides instruction only;

·       YMC does not take ownership, management, or legal responsibility for the vessel;

·       the client, owner, skipper, or person in charge remains responsible for the vessel, crew, passengers, legality, insurance, and safe operation of the vessel;

·       the YMC instructor is not the vessel’s skipper or master simply by being onboard.

The client warrants that the vessel is:

·       seaworthy and suitable for the intended training;

·       properly maintained;

·       legally compliant for the area of operation;

·       equipped with all required safety equipment;

·       insured for the intended use, including third-party liability;

·       operated with the permission of the owner and insurer;

·       ready for training at the agreed time.

The client must inform their insurer that professional instruction will take place onboard and must confirm that this does not invalidate coverage.

YMC may refuse to begin or may stop own-boat tuition if the vessel, equipment, crew, weather, documentation, insurance, or operating area is unsuitable.

If YMC attends and training cannot proceed because the client vessel is not ready, safe, legal, insured, or suitably equipped, the session may be treated as used and the client remains responsible for the fee and any travel or accommodation costs incurred.

Unless otherwise agreed, the client is responsible for all vessel running costs during own-boat tuition, including fuel, moorage, marina fees, food, repairs, permits, customs or immigration requirements, and any other vessel-related costs.

15. Training on a YMC-arranged vessel

Where training takes place on a YMC-arranged vessel, the vessel, operating area, and course format are subject to the vessel’s equipment, insurance, Transport Canada compliance, weather, instructor judgement, and any restrictions in force at the time.

YMC may limit the operating area, route, activities, or course type where required by safety, insurance, Transport Canada, vessel readiness, or equipment status.

Participants must treat the vessel respectfully and follow all onboard procedures. Participants may be responsible for damage or loss caused by deliberate misconduct, gross carelessness, or failure to follow instructions.

16. Liveaboard courses and onboard life

On liveaboard courses, participants share a small vessel environment. Privacy and storage are limited. Participants are expected to be considerate, tidy, respectful, and flexible.

Sleeping arrangements will be explained before the course where possible. YMC will make reasonable efforts to allocate berths so that unrelated students do not need to share a bunk. However, yachts are compact by nature and berth arrangements may depend on vessel layout, group composition, safety, weather, operational needs, and the final course format.

Participants may be asked to accept a practical berth arrangement suitable for the vessel and course. Couples, family members, or friends booking together may be asked or may choose to share a double berth. If bunk sharing is a serious concern, please raise this before booking so that YMC can confirm whether the course is suitable.

Food arrangements vary by course. Unless otherwise stated, liveaboard course food is practical training food rather than catered hospitality. The whole crew typically shares responsibility of cooking, washing up, keeping the vessel tidy, and normal onboard routines.

Participants must disclose dietary restrictions and allergies in advance. YMC will make reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary needs but cannot guarantee that all preferences or severe allergies can be safely accommodated in a small galley environment.

17. Travel, accommodation, and third-party costs

Unless expressly included in the booking confirmation, course fees do not include:

·       travel to or from the vessel;

·       accommodation before or after the course;

·       meals ashore;

·       restaurant meals;

·       personal insurance;

·       personal equipment;

·       parking;

·       flights, ferries, taxis, or car rentals;

·       third-party theory courses;

·       VHF courses or exams;

·       certificate reissue fees;

·       expenses caused by late arrival, missed travel, or personal changes.

YMC is not responsible for third-party travel, accommodation, or personal costs if a course is changed, delayed, postponed, or cancelled, unless required by law.

Participants are strongly encouraged to arrange appropriate travel and cancellation insurance where relevant.

18. Personal belongings

Participants are responsible for their own belongings. YMC is not responsible for lost, stolen, wet, damaged, or misplaced personal items unless caused by YMC’s proven negligence and only to the extent liability cannot legally be excluded.

Please avoid bringing unnecessary valuables onboard.

19. Risk, waiver, and insurance

Sailing and boating involve inherent risks. These may include, but are not limited to:

·       slips, trips, falls, and impact injuries;

·       cold water immersion, cold shock, and hypothermia;

·       seasickness, fatigue, sun exposure, dehydration, or injury;

·       falling overboard;

·       vessel collision, grounding, fire, flooding, or equipment failure;

·       changing weather and sea conditions;

·       delays in emergency response;

·       risks associated with marinas, docks, tenders, dinghies, and moving vessels.

Participation in on-water training is conditional on signing YMC’s current Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability before boarding or before training begins.

These Terms do not exclude liability that cannot legally be excluded. Any release of liability is contained in the separate waiver document.

Participants are responsible for arranging their own personal accident, medical, travel, cancellation, or equipment insurance if desired.

20. Photos, video, and media

YMC may take photos or short videos during training for coaching, debriefing, safety, or course record purposes.

YMC will not require promotional image consent as a condition of training. Use of identifiable images for marketing, website, social media, advertising, or promotional purposes will be handled by separate consent or a clear opt-out process.

Participants may take personal photos or videos only where safe and respectful. Recording must not interfere with training, privacy, safety, instructor instructions, or other participants’ comfort.

No participant may use images or video of other participants for commercial, promotional, or public purposes without their permission.

21. Privacy and personal information

YMC collects personal information only as reasonably necessary for booking, payment, safety, emergency response, training, certification, insurance, legal compliance, and communication.

This may include contact details, emergency contact details, medical or dietary information, experience level, certification details, and course records.

YMC may share relevant information with certification bodies, insurers, emergency services, vessel owners, contractors, or regulators where reasonably necessary for course delivery, safety, certification, legal compliance, or incident response.

YMC will handle personal information in accordance with applicable privacy law and its Privacy Policy.

22. Intellectual property and course materials

All YMC-created materials, notes, checklists, lesson plans, handouts, diagrams, and digital resources remain the intellectual property of YMC unless otherwise stated.

IYT materials, exams, syllabi, course notes, and certification resources remain subject to IYT rules and intellectual property restrictions.

Participants may use course materials for their own personal learning only. They may not copy, publish, distribute, sell, teach from, or upload course materials without permission.

Exams and assessment materials are confidential and must not be copied, photographed, shared, retained, or published.

23. Complaints and concerns

If you have a concern during training, please raise it with the instructor as soon as reasonably possible. Most issues can be solved quickly if raised early.

If the concern is not resolved, please submit it in writing to YMC within 30 days of the course or incident. YMC will review the matter and respond as soon as reasonably practicable.

For certification-related appeals, additional IYT procedures may apply where relevant.

24. Force majeure

YMC is not responsible for failure or delay caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, wildfire smoke, natural disasters, marina closures, government restrictions, illness, injury, mechanical failure, safety incidents, transport disruption, labour disruption, war, pandemic, regulatory change, or emergency response.

Where such an event affects a booking, YMC will act reasonably and may offer a reschedule, credit, altered course plan, or refund depending on the circumstances and the portion of the service affected.

25. Refusal of service

YMC may refuse a booking or discontinue training where it reasonably believes that doing so is necessary for safety, suitability, legal compliance, insurance compliance, operational integrity, or the wellbeing of students, instructor, vessel, or others.

YMC may also refuse future bookings from clients who have acted dishonestly, dangerously, abusively, or in a way that materially disrupted training.

26. Changes to these Terms

YMC may update these Terms from time to time.

The Terms that apply to your booking are the Terms provided or linked at the time your booking is confirmed, unless a change is required by law, regulator, insurer, certification body, or safety requirement.

27. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of British Columbia and the laws of Canada applicable in British Columbia.

If any part of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining parts continue to apply.

28. Contact

Questions about these Terms, bookings, or cancellations can be sent to:

Yacht Master Class
Patrik Lindr
38344 Eaglewind Blvd.
Squamish, BC V8B 0R8
Email: patrik@yachtmasterclass.ca
Phone: 236 998 6474
Website: yachtmasterclass.ca

By booking with YMC you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms and conditions.

Short Booking Policy Summary

This shorter version can be pasted into booking confirmation emails, invoices, or course pages.

Booking and payment
Your place is confirmed once YMC accepts the booking and receives the required deposit. Unless otherwise agreed, all bookings require a 50% deposit.

Balance payments
For group courses, the balance is due by the course confirmation date: Intro Day Sail = 7 days before, Weekend Course = 10 days before, 5-Day Intensive = 30 days before, unless a different confirmation / balance date is stated in the course listing, booking confirmation, or invoice. For private tuition, the balance is normally due 14 days before training begins.

Minimum numbers
Scheduled group courses are confirmed once 3 students are booked and paid. If minimum numbers are not reached by the relevant confirmation date, YMC may offer a transfer, refund, credit, or semi-private option at an adjusted rate.

Cancellations by students
For group courses: more than 45 days before start = refund less $75 admin fee and non-recoverable costs; 45 days or fewer = deposit retained; after the confirmation / balance date = no refund.
For private tuition: more than 45 days before start = refund less $75 admin fee and non-recoverable costs; 45 days or fewer = deposit retained; 14 days or fewer = full fee payable / no refund.

Weather and safety
Sailing is weather-dependent. The instructor/skipper has final authority over safety decisions, including changes to route, timing, exercises, or whether to sail. If conditions are unsuitable, YMC may modify the programme, conduct shore-based training, postpone, or reschedule as appropriate.

Certification
Payment and attendance do not guarantee certification. Certificates, endorsements, or course completion sign-offs are issued only where the required standard and prerequisites are met.

Before boarding
Participants must complete any required waiver, medical declaration, emergency contact form, student registration form, or own-boat declaration before training begins.

Full Terms
All bookings are subject to the full Yacht Master Class Booking Terms & Conditions and any course-specific joining instructions. These supersede this summary.