Who are our Instructors ?

Our instructors are all RYA qualified instructors and our Principal and Chief Instructor is qualified to Yacht Master Offshore (Commercially endorsed); he is an RYA Yacht Master Instructor, RYA Powerboat Instructor, VHF instructor and assessor, and First Aid Instructor.

He has sailed for many years and, in particular, he has sailed in and around Langkawi, and more widely in Malaysia and Thailand for more than 15 years, training over 3,000 students to RYA standard during his career. He has also skippered yachts in three Fastnet races, four around Great Britain races and he has won the Raj Muda twice and has won the Evelyn cup with his yacht SADE 2.

Where are we based?

We are based at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club on the island of Langkawi in the Kedah region of Malaysia and we operate out of the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club Marina.  Our courses take place in the beautiful tropical waters of the Andaman Sea and the Malacca Straits, situated between the Indian Ocean and the West coasts of Malaysia and Thailand.

Where do the courses take place? 

We sail as far as Singapore in the South and up to Thailand in the North.  Many courses take place in and around the gorgeous island of Langkawi, famous for the red-backed sea eagle that dominate the island’s skies.  The plentiful anchoring points afford students sailing experience in one of the most beautifully tranquil and spectacular locations in SE Asia. 

Our passages south enable students to experience long uninterrupted sea passages, whereas those heading north involve island hopping our way up to Phuket, stopping at white sandy beach locations such as Ko Lipi and Ko Phi Phi.  Both north and south bound trips enable students to build sailing miles. 

What is included in the price? 

Practical Courses – tuition, RYA certificates, food and accommodation (including bedding) on board, custom and immigration charges (when the course involves departure to/from Langkawi), fuel and mooring fees.

Shore based Course – online learning package including course pack, tuition, exam fees and certificates. 

What is not included in the price? 

• Food and drink on shore 

• Drinks onboard excluding water, tea and coffee 

• Towels 

• -RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Exam Fees (payable direct to the RYA)

• Personal Travel Insurance (we recommend you take out relevant insurance, covering offshore sailing up to 30km from shore) 

What food will we get? 

We will provide enough food for breakfast, lunch and two evening meals on board the boat for each five day course. We will have three evening meals on shore during the course and you will be required to pay for these meals.  We recommend that you bring any other snacks/energy bars etc. that you like to enjoy during the day, although we do try to ensure we have a general stock of biscuits/crisps etc. 

Do I have to cook any meals?

Learning to prepare and cook meals at sea is part of the RYA course training.  As part of the crew, you will be required to take part in the running of the yacht, which includes the preparation of meals and subsequent clean up.

Are special dietary requirements catered for?

We will always try and accommodate special dietary requirements, and our joining instructions ask you to inform us of any special requirements that you have.

Are there toilets and showers on board?

Yes, there is a fully functioning toilet on board and we carry fresh water for limited showering.  

How many students are on each course?

Each course has a maximum of 5 students on each yacht. 

When does a course start and finish?

Our five day practical courses start at 7pm on Sunday evening.  Our courses finish late afternoon on Friday at approximately 5pm, following a clean-up of the yacht and the issuing of certificates.  

Does everyone onboard do the same course?

No, each course will include students with a mixture of experience and level of competence.  Students doing the more advanced courses, which require them to skipper the yacht will, therefore, be working with all abilities, which is a perfect basis for learning. 

What type of boat will I be on?

SADE 2 is a Harmony 38; other yachts are chartered into the school as required. 

What safety equipment is supplied onboard?

Our yachts are RYA approved training yachts, which comply with the RYA Safety Equipment checklist and carry life jackets, life rafts, flares, fire-fighting equipment, first aid kits and more.  They are inspected annually by the RYA.

What should I bring with me?

We have included details of what to bring with you in your course Joining Instructions.  RYA log books and publications are available to purchase from Red Cap Sailing School. 

Will I get my own cabin?

It is unlikely that you will get your own cabin, so you will need to be prepared to share with fellow crew members. Sleeping space is allocated on a course by course basis and this is done at the start of the course, but we will always try and keep cabins available for couples or friends if we can.  

How do I know which is the right course for me?

It’s difficult to say which is the right course for you because it all depends on your experience, but we are here to help you work out what course would best suit you. Please contact us through our contact form and we will be happy to assist.

Should I do any pre-course reading?

We require you to have completed the theory course before you undertake certain practical courses (i.e. Day Skipper).  For courses like the Competent Crew course, we would always recommend that you do as much reading as possible before the practical course so that you get the most out of the practical course. The more advanced courses include periods within the course schedule to enable you to undertake theory stages. 

How far is the yacht from the airport?

We are never too far from the International airports in Langkawi and Phuket, which have regular flights to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, as well as direct flights to central hubs such as Dubai.  Our Joining Instructions include meet and greet details as well as how to find us. 

What travel documents/Visas/Inoculations do I need?   

You will need a valid passport with an expiry date of at least 6 months from the date you are due to return to your home country.  You will also need to ensure that you have at least 2-3 clear pages in your passport for entry and exit stamps. We advise you to check passport requirements with the local authorities.  

For more information, please visit: 

Malaysia 

http://www.malaysiatravel.org.uk/visa-rules.html 

Thailand 

http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908 

Inoculations 

Please check what vaccinations you need with your own Doctor 

Are there laundry facilities? 

Laundry facilities are available at most ports of call and they usually have an overnight service. 

Is there easy access to the internet? 

Wireless connections are available at all marinas. You can also get online via mobile phone. Coverage is good and reasonably priced. 

How far do we sail and where do we go?

On a typical five day practical course, we would sail between 120 – 160NM.  The ports we visit will depend on the passage you sign up for. 

Do I need a First Aid Qualification?

A valid First Aid certificate is a requirement of the Yachtmaster qualification. We have a list of First Aid certificates that we can accept and those that we cannot accept. 

What is a passage?

A qualifying passage for Yachtmaster Ocean and Offshore should be non-stop by the shortest navigable route with no change of skipper. Passages such as recognised races which may not comply exactly with these requirements may be submitted to the RYA for approval before the voyage. 

Trainee skippers undertaking 60 mile passages are strongly advised to obtain a Coastal Skipper qualification first. 

For Ocean passages the following definition will apply. “Throughout the passage the candidate must have acted in a responsible capacity either in sole charge of a watch or as a skipper”. 

Ocean candidates may take their sights on a shorter passage than the qualifying passage. The examiner will determine whether the candidate is competent at astro navigation. Examiners are responsible for establishing the level of a candidate’s competence during the exam. Where a candidate’s qualifying mileage is doubtful, examiners will question the candidate carefully. 

How do I know I will be safe?

Safety is our first concern. 

Your instructor:  We use highly qualified Yachtmaster Instructors. They all have a lot of experience of sailing and instructing. They like to work for us as they know we look after our boats, our crews and them. 

Your boats: All our boats are MCA (Maritime Coastguard Agency) coded, which means they are equipped to a rigorous safety standard and they are regularly surveyed and checked in accordance with the regulations. Our boats are inspected annually. 

Do I need insurance?

You are strongly advised to arrange your own insurance at the time of booking to cover against personal accident, cancellation, medical and repatriation etc.  Please make your own enquiries.  All the yachts we use are fully insured against accidents and third party liability

What if I come on my own? Will all the others know each other already?

We occasionally get groups, but most people book individually or in pairs. We try and balance the crews so that they offer a good mix of age, gender and couples/singles. We try and make sure that no one is put in an awkward position or feels left out. In fact, many pupils make a great new set of friends and keep in touch with them long after they have left us behind.