ISSA Master of Yachts – Monohull Private Course
– 10-Day Advanced Sailing & Examination Programme

Duration
10 Days

Master Level
Advanced assessment

Location
Mai Khao

Certification
ISSA Recognised

Experience Required
Extensive - see below

Accommodation
Nearby Hotels & Vehicle

Why take this Course?

Progress from Offshore Skipper to Master of Yachts level.
Develop the judgement required to command a blue-water sailing yacht.
Refine advanced navigation, pilotage and passage planning skills.
Demonstrate high-level yacht handling under sail and power.
Develop command, leadership and crew management skills.
Prepare for demanding written, oral and practical assessment.
Achieve one of ISSA's highest recreational sailing qualifications.

Are You Ready for Master of Yachts?

This is an advanced qualification for highly experienced sailors who have already developed substantial offshore sailing and command experience.
Before enrolling you should normally have:

ISSA Offhore Skipper (or equivalent)
2,800 logged sea miles
50 days at sea
30 hours night watch

At least 6 hours as captain/watchleader at night
VHF Radio Operator Certificate
Current medical and colour-vision examination

Minimum qualifying sea time must be completed before the final examination.
If you're unsure whether you're ready, contact us—we'll be happy to advise.

Take Your Sailing to Master of Yachts Level

The ISSA Master of Yachts – Monohull course represents the culmination of advanced recreational sailing training. Designed for experienced Offshore Skippers with substantial sea time, it develops the command skills, judgement and technical knowledge required to manage a blue-water sailing yacht safely and effectively.

At this level, the emphasis moves beyond simply developing individual sailing skills. You'll be expected to demonstrate confident yacht handling, advanced navigation and passage planning, strong situational awareness and the ability to lead a crew and make sound decisions as skipper.

The programme combines advanced instruction with written assessment and a final oral and practical examination aboard a yacht. Successful candidates demonstrate not only what they know, but their ability to apply that knowledge while taking responsibility for the vessel and crew.

See the Course in Action

Footage from Sail in Asia’s Offshore Skipper and Master of Yachts training in Phuket.

Course Overview

The ISSA Master of Yachts – Monohull Course is an intensive ten-day programme for highly experienced sailors progressing beyond Offshore Skipper level. Combining advanced theory, practical yacht handling and command exercises, the course develops and assesses the knowledge, judgement and leadership required to manage a blue-water sailing yacht safely and effectively.

Throughout the programme you'll work at an advanced level across navigation, pilotage, tidal calculations, meteorology, passage planning, Collision Regulations (IRPCS), electronic navigation and modern nautical applications. Practical training concentrates on confident yacht handling under sail and power, berthing, anchoring, seamanship, crew management and the ability to maintain situational awareness while making sound decisions as skipper.

Assessment takes place throughout the course through written theory examinations and practical exercises. The final examination includes oral and practical assessment aboard a yacht, during which candidates must demonstrate competent boat handling, docking and anchoring and may be questioned on any part of the syllabus or their previous yachting experience.

Successful completion requires candidates to demonstrate more than technical knowledge. At Master of Yachts level you'll be expected to show the command ability, judgement, confidence and managerial qualities necessary to take responsibility for both yacht and crew.

Course Schedule

Advanced navigation • charts • publications • position fixing
Tides & currents • secondary ports • pilotage • buoyage
Passage planning • meteorology • weather information
IRPCS • safety at sea • situational awareness
Yacht handling • sail & power • berthing • docking
Anchoring • ropework • seamanship • general yacht knowledge
Electronic navigation • charts • nautical apps • VHF/DSC
Command exercises • crew management • decision making
Theory assessment • practical preparation • revision
Written, oral & practical assessment • course review

The schedule may be varied depending on weather and other considerations.

Skills You'll Learn

Advanced Navigation & Passage Planning

Advanced chartwork and navigation techniques
Dead reckoning, estimated position and position fixing
Tidal heights, streams and current calculations
Pilotage, buoyage and secondary ports
Coastal and offshore passage planning
Meteorology and weather interpretation
Electronic charts and modern nautical apps

Yacht Command & Seamanship

Advanced yacht handling under sail and power
Berthing, docking and anchoring techniques
Collision Regulations (IRPCS) and situational awareness
Safety at sea and emergency procedures
Advanced seamanship and ropework
Crew management and leadership
Command decisions and responsibility as skipper

Official ISSA Master of Yachts Course Material

The ISSA Master of Yachts Student Textbook provides important preparation for this advanced programme. Candidates are strongly encouraged to begin their preparation well before attending, allowing time to revise the extensive theoretical knowledge and practical principles expected at Master of Yachts level.

The ten-day course cannot revisit every aspect of the knowledge and experience accumulated throughout your sailing career. Early preparation and private study are therefore an important part of preparing for the course and final assessment.

Sample Pages:

VIEW TEXTBOOK DETAILS

Private Course Availability

10 Day PRIVATE Course three times yearly
From Play Yard - Mai Khao (NE Phuket)
11th - 20th February
11th - 20th June
22nd - 31st October

Training Available from Mai Khao
Advanced Booking Recommended • Discounts as below
Minimum students 3, maximum students 6

Select your preferred course dates and we'll confirm availability before any payment is required:

CHECK AVAILABILTY

Early Bird Booking Discounts*

NORMAL PRICE
Booking within 89 days • 32,000 thb
90 Day Discount
Book in advance 90 days plus • 29,000 thb

Early Bird Booking Discounts*

NORMAL PRICE
Booking within 29 days • 147,000 thb
31 - 119 Day Discount
Book in advance 30-119 days • 142,000 thb
120 Day + Discount
Book 120 days + in advance • 137,000 thb

Flexible payment options available, including PayPal, Wise, KBank and direct bank transfer.
Contact our team for current availability, payment options and booking assistance.

PAYPAL
Online Payment

WISE
Electronic Transfer

KBANK
KPlus Payments

BANK TRANSFER
Direct Bank Transfer

Ready to Apply?

Ready to take the Next Step?

Send us your preferred dates and any questions, and our team will confirm availability and guide you through the next steps.

If this course sounds right for you, send us your preferred dates and details. We'll check availability, instructor scheduling and yacht allocation before confirming the next steps.

SEND COURSE ENQUIRY

Offshore Skipper Course FAQs

Yes. Candidates require a current medical examination and a colour-vision examination confirming that they can safely distinguish navigational lights, signals and marks under normal operating conditions.

Yes. This is a Master-level course for highly experienced sailors. You should normally hold an ISSA Offshore Skipper Certificate (or equivalent) and must meet the published sea-time requirements, including 2,800 logged sea miles, 50 days at sea and 30 hours of night watchkeeping. You will also need a VHF Radio Operator Certificate and current medical and colour-vision examination.

Assessment takes place throughout the course and includes written theory examinations. The final examination includes oral and practical assessment aboard a yacht, where you'll be expected to demonstrate confident yacht handling, docking, anchoring, navigation, seamanship and command ability. Candidates may be questioned on any part of the syllabus and their previous yachting experience.

Yes. The required sea time must be completed before the final examination. Your mileage should come from genuine cruises and passages rather than short day trips, with at least 2,000 miles completed on coastal voyages rather than ocean crossings. Substantial practical yacht-handling experience is also expected.

A day is based on a period of 24 hours, although parts of days may contribute towards the total. For this requirement, time “at sea” means time aboard a vessel outside a harbour in which a cruising yacht could otherwise secure or anchor for a prolonged period.

You need at least 30 hours underway at night as an active member of a yacht's crew. At least six of those hours must have been spent acting as captain or watchleader. For this requirement, night is the period between sunset and sunrise.

Completing the course does not automatically guarantee certification. If the examiner considers that the required standard has not been achieved, a certificate will not be issued. The candidate will receive feedback identifying areas requiring further development and the remedial action that may lead to successful completion.

Potentially, yes. If your previous qualification is from another recognised sailing scheme, contact us before booking. We can review your certification, logged sea time and practical experience and advise whether you're suitably prepared for the Master of Yachts programme.

The course combines advanced shore-based theory with practical training and assessment aboard a sailing yacht. Practical work includes yacht handling under sail and power, docking, berthing, anchoring, navigation, seamanship, crew management and command exercises.

We strongly recommend beginning your preparation well in advance and, where possible, arranging your course around six months before the start date. Master of Yachts candidates are expected to arrive with substantial existing knowledge and experience, and advance study of the course material allows you to revise navigation, regulations, seamanship and other subjects before the intensive ten-day programme begins.

Courses operate from two dedicated Sail in Asia locations. Cape Panwa offers direct access to Phuket's southern islands and longer cruising routes, while Mai Khao provides convenient access from Phuket Airport and a relaxed training environment. Compare Cape Panwa and Mai Khao training bases →

Course fees typically include tuition, use of training vessels, certification fees where applicable and course materials. Specific inclusions are listed on each course page.

Yes. We can recommend a range of nearby accommodation options to suit different budgets and locations. Please contact us before booking if you'd like advice on the most convenient place to stay.

We also have our own rental property in Mai Khao, you can read more here Accomodation with Sail in Asia in Phuket→

We accept a range of payment options, including credit card, Wise, KBank transfers and international bank transfer. Our team will confirm the most suitable payment method when your course availability has been confirmed.

The Master of Yachts – Monohull course fee is ฿120,000 and no early-booking discount applies. We strongly recommend arranging your course well in advance, however, as this allows plenty of time for preparation and private study before attending.

Your Master of Yachts Journey Starts Here

Completing the ISSA Master of Yachts – Monohull Course represents a major achievement in your sailing development. It brings together the experience, technical knowledge, judgement and command skills developed over thousands of sea miles and challenges you to demonstrate them at Master of Yachts level.

Whether your ambition is to command your own yacht on extended passages, undertake more ambitious blue-water cruising or simply achieve the highest level your recreational sailing journey can take you, you'll leave the programme having tested and developed your abilities as both a sailor and a skipper.

Need advice before booking?

If you'd like to discuss your previous qualifications, logged sea time or whether your experience meets the prerequisites, our instructors are happy to help. Contact us by email or WhatsApp and we'll review your experience and guide you through the enrolment process.

Contact us by email or WhatsApp — we're here to help.

ISSA Master of Yachts – Monohull Private Course
– 10-Day Advanced Sailing & Examination Programme

Why take this Course?