Four certification courses across different locations: Israeli Mashit 30 in Herzliya and Ashkelon, international ISSA across Israel, IYT Bareboat Skipper in Montenegro. Compare prices, sea hours, language of instruction and certificates — all in one place.
4 certification courses5 training locationsFrom 6,500 ₪Israeli & international certificates
A skipper license is what charter companies require before they hand over a yacht — without one, even years of sea experience won’t get you a charter.
Israel has two main paths. Mashit 30 is the official certificate of the Israeli Ministry of Transport’s Maritime Authority — the course covers theory plus up to 90 hours of sea practice, with the exam taken in front of a government examiner. An international certificate like ISSA or IYT Bareboat Skipper is what you’ll need to charter a yacht in Greece, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro and other Mediterranean destinations: charter companies there recognise these directly.
All four certificates are valid for yachts up to 24 metres long, with standard limits (distance from shore, daylight, weather). The main difference is where the certificate is recognised, and how the theory and practice are structured.
02 Comparison
Skipper course comparison — Mashit 30, ISSA, IYT
Course
Theory
Sea hours
Language
Price
Recognised
Mashit 30 — Herzliya Israeli certificate
included in course
up to 90 hours
Russian or Hebrew — student’s choice
7,120 ₪ spring sale until 31.05
Israel + countries with reciprocal recognition
Mashit 30 — Ashkelon Same certificate + catamaran
included in course
up to 90 hours (incl. sailing catamaran)
verify with operator
8,500 ₪
Israel + reciprocal recognition
ISSA Bareboat Skipper International certificate
20 hours
30 hours
Hebrew, English or Russian
from 6,500 ₪
International — Mediterranean charter
IYT Bareboat Skipper + VHF 11 days in Montenegro
within 11-day continuous program
within 11-day continuous program
verify with operator
from €1,800 +€200 certs, +€90 fees, +€15 tax
International — strong in the Mediterranean
03 Pricing
How much does a skipper course cost in 2026
Each course is run by an independent operator with its own conditions. Prices and inclusions below relate to each course separately; verify the exact terms with the specific operator before enrolling.
Mashit 30 — Herzliya
Herzliya marina
7,120 ₪
Regular price 8,900 ₪ — spring sale through 31.05.2026
Theory across 4 disciplines + up to 90 hours at sea
Instruction in Russian or Hebrew — student’s choice
Ministry of Aliyah voucher accepted
Government exam fee paid separately to Ministry of Transport
Mashit 30 — Ashkelon
Ashkelon marina
8,500 ₪
Mashit 30 course with sailing catamaran experience
Theory + up to 90 hours at sea
Only course with sailing catamaran practice
Language of instruction & voucher — verify with operator
Government exam fee paid separately
ISSA in Israel
Herzliya · Ashkelon · Akko · Haifa
from 6,500 ₪
Flexible international certificate course
20 hours theory + 30 hours at sea
Instruction in Hebrew, English or Russian
Choice of 4 marina locations
International cert recognised in the Mediterranean
11 continuous days — theory and practice on the same yacht
Double cabin accommodation on Moody45
Two certificates: IYT Bareboat Skipper + VHF-SRC
Groups of 5 students maximum
04 Pathway
What the path to a skipper certificate looks like
01
Theory
Sea safety, navigation, meteorology, maritime regulations, VHF radio. Each course defines its own theory scope — from Mashit 30 (theory included as part of the course) to ISSA (a defined 20 formal hours).
02
Sea practice
Cumulative hours under a certified skipper’s supervision. Requirements vary: Mashit 30 allows up to 90 hours, ISSA requires a minimum of 30, IYT works in an intensive 11-day continuous format.
03
Exam + certificate
Mashit 30 — formal exam with the Maritime Authority (separate fee). ISSA and IYT — exam with a certified examiner from the issuing body, certificate issued at course end (in IYT it’s paid after passing).
Depends on the course. Mashit 30 in Herzliya and Ashkelon — several months, since sea practice hours accumulate based on availability; the course doesn’t close until the student is ready for the exam. ISSA — can be completed in a few weeks at flexible pace. IYT in Montenegro — 11 continuous days, exam on the final day.
How does Mashit 30 differ from an international certificate (ISSA or IYT)?
Mashit 30 is the official Israeli Maritime Authority certificate — accepted in Israel and in countries that have a reciprocal-recognition agreement with Israel. ISSA and IYT are international certificates that Mediterranean charter companies (Greece, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro) accept directly, without needing an inter-government agreement. If you plan to charter abroad regularly, ISSA or IYT is the more direct route.
Is the Ministry of Aliyah voucher accepted?
For Mashit 30 in Herzliya, yes — the Ministry of Aliyah voucher is accepted. For the other courses, please verify with the specific operator before enrolling, since each course is run independently with its own terms.
What language is the course taught in?
Varies by course. Mashit 30 in Herzliya — Hebrew or Russian, student’s choice (including the government exam). ISSA — Hebrew, English or Russian. For Mashit 30 in Ashkelon and IYT in Montenegro, please verify the language of instruction with the operator before enrolling.
How much does a skipper course cost in Israel?
Prices range from 6,500 ₪ (ISSA) to 8,500 ₪ (Mashit 30 in Ashkelon). For Mashit 30 in Herzliya there’s currently a spring promotion — 7,120 ₪ instead of 8,900 ₪, valid through 31.05.2026. The Montenegro course is priced in euros (from €1,800 + certificates, marina fees and tourist tax). Note: the government exam fee for Mashit 30 is paid separately to the Ministry of Transport.
Which certificate suits someone who wants to charter in Montenegro or Greece?
For Mediterranean charter, ISSA or IYT Bareboat Skipper are recommended — charter companies accept them directly. The Israeli Mashit 30 is recognised in some countries via reciprocal agreements but may require additional confirmation. If your goal is regular international charter, IYT (the Montenegro course) is the strongest option, because you also get the VHF-SRC radio certificate.
How many sea hours does each course require?
Mashit 30 (Herzliya and Ashkelon) — up to 90 hours at sea, accumulated at the student’s pace. ISSA — minimum 30 hours plus 20 hours of theory. IYT in Montenegro — 11 continuous days aboard the yacht (theory and practice combined; no separate “theory hours” vs “sea hours” split).
Can I try sailing before committing to a full course?
Yes. Skipper for a Day is a 3-hour private lesson with a certified skipper, on a sailing yacht in Herzliya or Ashkelon, for 1,580 ₪. No certificate is issued — but you’ll know whether the format suits you before signing up for a course that runs for several months.
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