ISSA Keelboat Crew Course
– 2 Day Recreational Course

ISSA Keelboat Crew Course
– 2 Day Recreational Course

Duration
2 Days

Level
Beginner

Location
Cape Panwa • Mai Khao

Certification
ISSA Recognised

Experience
None Required

Accommodation
Nearby Hotels & Vehicle

Why take this Course?

Why take this Course?

  • Ideal introduction to sailing for complete beginners
  • No previous sailing experience required
  • Learn on a lively, responsive keelboat rather than a larger cruising yacht
  • Develop practical helming, sail handling and seamanship skills
  • Learn how wind, sails and boat handling work together
  • Gain confidence through two days of hands-on sailing
  • Internationally recognised ISSA training
  • An excellent foundation for further sailing courses

What is a Keelboat?

What is a Keelboat?

A keelboat combines the responsive sailing characteristics of a smaller boat with the stability provided by a fixed keel. Light, agile and rewarding to sail, keelboats allow students to quickly understand how the wind, sails and helm work together.

Sail in Asia uses Platu keelboats for this course. Their responsive handling makes them ideal for learning the fundamentals of sailing, while providing a stable platform for practical training. They're also great fun to sail — particularly once the breeze picks up.

Continue Your Sailing Journey :

After successfully completing the ISSA Keelboat Crew Course, many students choose to progress to the ISSA Keelboat Skipper Course, building on the practical sailing skills, boat handling and confidence developed during this course.

Keelboat Skipper takes the next step towards greater independence on the water, developing the skills and knowledge needed to take responsibility for the boat and crew.

See the Course in Action

See the Course in Action

Filmed during a Sail in Asia Platu One Design sailing event in 2020, the year our Keelboat training programme was introduced. The video shows the same responsive Platu keelboats used for our practical Keelboat courses today.

Course Overview

Course Overview

The ISSA Keelboat Crew Course is a practical two-day introduction to sailing, designed for complete beginners who want to experience sailing and develop the fundamental skills needed to become a confident member of a sailing crew.

Training takes place aboard Sail in Asia's responsive Platu keelboats. Their combination of stability and performance makes them an excellent platform for learning, allowing you to experience the effects of wind, sail trim and steering much more directly than aboard a larger cruising yacht.

Over the two days you'll learn how to prepare and rig the boat, helm under sail and power, understand points of sail, tack and gybe, trim the mainsail and jib, leave and return to a mooring, and develop essential seamanship skills including knots, weather awareness, tides and currents.

Most importantly, this is a hands-on sailing course. You'll spend your time actively sailing and working as part of the crew, developing confidence and an understanding of how a sailing boat responds in real conditions.

On successful completion you'll receive the ISSA Keelboat Crew Certificate, providing an excellent foundation for progressing to further ISSA sailing qualifications.

Skills You'll Learn

Skills You'll Learn

Sailing & Boat Handling

  • Preparing and rigging the keelboat
  • Parts of the boat and sails
  • Wind awareness and points of sail
  • Helming under sail and power
  • Tacking and gybing
  • Mainsail and jib trim
  • Effective sail trim using tell-tales
  • Leaving and returning to a mooring

Seamanship & Safety

  • Personal and onboard safety
  • Essential sailors' knots
  • Basic weather awareness
  • Tides and currents
  • Basic boat controls
  • Outboard engine checks
  • Tender handling
  • Practical crew skills and teamwork

Official ISSA Student Textbook

Optional Study Guide - ISSA Student Textbook

SIA student textbook cover for keelboat crew displaying four crew members sailing a one design platu

The Official ISSA Keelboat Crew Student Textbook is available as an optional purchase and is an excellent companion to your practical training. Many students choose to purchase a copy before their course to become familiar with the syllabus, while others use it afterwards as a valuable reference to reinforce the skills learned on the water.

Sample Pages:

  • ISSA PDF Handbook page displaying diagrams and information about personal safety equipment, harnesses and life jackets
  • ISSA PDF Handbook page displaying diagrams and information about safety including distress equipment
  • ISSA PDF Handbook page displaying diagrams and information about parts of a boat, specifically sailing gear
  • ISSA PDF Handbook page displaying diagrams and information about points of sail for handling a yacht under sail
VIEW TEXTBOOK DETAILS

Course Availability

Course Availability

  • 2 Day Course - maximum students 5
  • From Coco Pier - Cape Panwa (SE Phuket)
  • 15th to 16th • every month
  • From Play Yard - Mai Khao (NE Phuket)
  • 1st to 2nd • each month
  • January courses on 2nd – 3rd
  • Training Available from Cape Panwa & Mai Khao
  • Advanced Booking Recommended • Discounts Available*
  • Available all year round
  • Private Courses available, price upon application

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

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

CHECK AVAILABILTY

Early Bird Booking Discounts*

Early Bird Booking Discounts*

  • NORMAL PRICE
  • Booking within 29 days • 17,000 thb
  • 30 Day Discount
  • Book in advance 30-59 days • 15,000 thb
  • 60 Day Discount
  • Book in advance 60 days plus • 13,000 thb

Flexible payment options available, including PayPal, Wise, KBank and direct bank transfer.
Early booking discounts may be available for courses reserved more than 30 days in advance. 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 take the Next Step?

Ready to take the Next Step?

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.

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

Frequently Asked Questions about the Keelboat Crew Course

No. The ISSA Keelboat Crew Course is designed for complete beginners. No previous sailing or boating experience is required.

On successful completion, you'll receive the ISSA Keelboat Crew Certificate, providing an excellent foundation for progressing to the ISSA Keelboat Skipper Course and further sailing qualifications.

A keelboat combines some of the responsive handling and performance of a sailing dinghy with the stability provided by a fixed keel. It is smaller and more agile than a cruising yacht, making it an excellent boat on which to learn how sailing really works.

The course is highly practical, with most of the two days spent sailing. You'll take an active part in helming, sail handling, tacking, gybing, mooring and working as part of the crew under the guidance of your instructor.

Possibly! Keelboats are open, responsive sailing boats and some spray is part of the experience, particularly in stronger winds. Lightweight clothing that can get wet, sun protection and suitable footwear are recommended.

Yes. The ISSA Keelboat Skipper Course is the natural next step, building on the boat handling, sail trim, seamanship and practical experience developed during Keelboat Crew training.

Sail in Asia's Platu keelboats can carry up to five students with an instructor for training. This allows everyone to take an active role and gain practical experience during the course.

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 →

Waterproof roll bag, light deck shoes, shorts or long trousers, t shirt, sunglasses and sunblock.

Sailing Gloves, SiA T shirts, SiA Caps and Log Books.

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 properties in both locations, 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.

Discounts may be available for courses booked well in advance or for multiple course bookings. Please contact us for current offers and availability. Our standard discounts for this course are listed above

Your Sailing Journey Starts Here

Whether you're taking your first steps into sailing or progressing towards higher ISSA qualifications, our experienced instructors are here to help you achieve your goals in a safe, relaxed and enjoyable learning environment.

Need advice before booking?
Not sure which course is right for you? Our team is happy to answer your questions, discuss course options, recommend accommodation and help you choose the training programme that best matches your experience and goals.
Contact us by email or WhatsApp — we're here to help.

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