ISSA Keelboat Navigator 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
Basic Sailing Skills Recommended

Accommodation
Nearby Hotels & Vehicle

Why take this ISSA Keelboat Navigator Course?

Why take this ISSA Keelboat Navigator Course?

  • Learn practical coastal navigation using modern electronic charts
  • Plan routes and waypoints using tablet-based navigation software
  • Understand chart symbols, hazards and navigational information
  • Learn how tides and currents affect your passage
  • Use weather information when planning a trip
  • Combine navigation skills with practical sailing on the water
  • Build confidence navigating beyond your immediate sailing area
  • Prepare for progression towards the ISSA Keelboat Skipper Course

What is Keelboat Navigation?

What is Keelboat Navigation?

Modern electronic navigation makes it possible to safely explore much further afield without filling a small sailing boat with complex instruments. Using a tablet or mobile device with marine chartplotting software, sailors can plan routes, identify hazards, monitor their position and access useful tidal and weather information.

Sail in Asia's ISSA Keelboat Navigator Course combines these modern tools with the fundamental knowledge every navigator needs. You'll learn not simply how to follow a screen, but how to understand the information it provides and use it to make sensible decisions on the water.

Continue Your Sailing Journey :

After completing the ISSA Keelboat Navigator Course, the natural next step is the ISSA Keelboat Skipper Course, where navigation skills are combined with greater responsibility for sailing, boat handling, passage planning and crew management.

Keelboat Skipper develops the skills and confidence required to take charge of the boat and crew during independent coastal sailing.

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 practical training and demonstrates the type of coastal sailing environment in which navigation skills are put into practice.

Course Overview

Course Overview

The ISSA Keelboat Navigator Course is a practical two-day introduction to coastal navigation, designed to give sailors the knowledge and confidence to plan and follow short passages using modern electronic navigation tools.

Training combines shoreside navigation instruction with practical experience aboard Sail in Asia's Platu keelboats. You'll learn how to use tablet-based marine chartplotting software to identify your position, create waypoints and routes, recognise navigational hazards and understand the information needed to make sensible passage-planning decisions.

You'll also develop an understanding of charts and symbols, pilotage, tides and currents, weather information and basic collision regulations, before applying these skills on the water. Rather than simply learning how to operate an app, the course concentrates on understanding what the information means and how it affects decisions aboard the boat.

A key part of the course is learning to navigate while remaining an active member of the crew. On a small keelboat the navigator is still involved in sailing the boat, making this an excellent way to develop practical navigation skills in real coastal conditions.

On successful completion you'll receive the ISSA Keelboat Navigator Certificate and have an excellent foundation for progressing to the ISSA Keelboat Skipper Course.

Skills You'll Learn

Skills You'll Learn

Navigation & Passage Planning

  • Introduction to electronic marine charts
  • Understanding chart symbols and information
  • Position awareness and position fixing
  • Creating and managing waypoints
  • Planning routes and short coastal passages
  • Identifying hazards and safe water
  • Basic pilotage techniques
  • Navigating a planned passage underway

Weather, Tides & Safety

  • Understanding tidal heights
  • Understanding tidal streams and currents
  • Using weather forecasts for passage planning
  • Wind direction and its effect on passage planning
  • Basic Collision Regulations (IRPCS)
  • Monitoring progress while underway
  • Using electronic navigation alongside visual observations
  • Practical decision-making during a coastal passage

Official ISSA Student Textbook

Optional Study Guide - ISSA Student Textbook

The Official ISSA Keelboat Navigator Student Textbook is available as an optional purchase and is an excellent companion to your practical training. It introduces the navigation, tides, weather and passage-planning principles covered during the course and provides a useful reference before and after your time on the water.

Sample Pages:

  • ISSA PDF Handbook index page for keelboat navigator student text book
  • ISSA PDF Handbook page displaying diagrams and information about longitude and latitude
  • ISSA PDF Handbook page displaying diagrams and information about tides, spring, neap and tide direction
  • ISSA PDF Handbook page displaying diagrams and information about tides including tidal streams and tidal vectors
  • ISSA PDF Handbook page displaying diagrams and information about navigation including navionics
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 • every 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

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 Navigator Course

Previous sailing experience is not essential, although some basic sailing knowledge or completion of the ISSA Keelboat Crew Course is recommended. This allows you to concentrate on developing your navigation and passage-planning skills while underway.

On successful completion, you'll receive the ISSA Keelboat Navigator Certificate, providing a practical foundation in coastal navigation and an excellent progression towards the ISSA Keelboat Skipper Course.


You'll learn the fundamentals of practical coastal navigation, including electronic marine charts, waypoints and routes, chart symbols, hazards, tides and currents, weather information, basic pilotage and passage planning. You'll then apply these skills during practical sailing.

You don't need to purchase navigation equipment specifically for the course. Contact us if you'd like to use your own tablet or mobile device during training and we'll advise on suitable software and setup.

No. The course combines navigation theory with practical application. You'll learn the principles and electronic navigation tools before using those skills in real coastal sailing conditions aboard a Platu keelboat.

The course includes practical training using modern electronic marine chartplotting software, including the use of waypoints, routes, chart information, tides and other information useful for coastal navigation.

The course introduces the essential principles behind coastal navigation and passage planning, but its emphasis is on practical navigation using modern electronic charts and chartplotting tools. More advanced navigation skills are developed as you progress through the ISSA sailing programme.

The course combines shoreside instruction with practical navigation and sailing. A significant part of the training is about applying what you've learned while underway rather than studying navigation purely in the classroom.

Yes. The ISSA Keelboat Skipper Course is the natural next step, combining your sailing and navigation skills with greater responsibility for boat handling, passage planning, safety and crew management.

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.

Your Sailing Journey Starts Here

Whether you're developing your first navigation skills or progressing towards taking responsibility for your own boat, our experienced instructors are here to help you build confidence in a safe, relaxed and enjoyable learning environment.

Need advice before booking?
Not sure whether Keelboat Navigator is the right course for you? Our team is happy to discuss your previous sailing experience, explain the course content and help you decide whether Keelboat Crew, Keelboat Navigator or Keelboat Skipper is the best next step.

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

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