Electronic Navigation and Radar Simulation

Electronic Navigation and Radar Simulation

Normally using electronics when navigating?

Want to train your radar skills on a simulator?

3 days pleasant learning over a week-end in Malta, 20- 22 February 2026!

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  • New: In-Class training on PC’s, just like the Pro’s do!

  • Ideal add-on to the RYA Day Skipper and RYA Yachtmaster courses, which covers too little on this important subject

  • Hands-on and easy-to-understand simulation using electronic charts and professional radar simulation

  • For normal pleasure sailors as well as for advanced sailors wishing to understand more

  • Learn from Leon, an experienced RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Instructor with 85,000+ sailed miles

  • Learn from Rudi, a professional ECDIS-trainer (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) and Radar expert, having installed radar systems and ECIDS onboard commercial ships and trained countless professional mariner. In his free time he loves sailing his Hallberg-Rassy 36

  • After the course, you will regard electronic navigation with new eyes, having learnt loads of new tricks!

  • This is generic training useful for any brand of plotter and not type specific (Furuno/Raymarine/B&G/Garmin etc)

  • Discounted hotel prices which can be extended for some relaxing holidays in sunny Malta 

  • Pleasant lunches and evening dinners with heartily sailing discussions   

  • Feel the comradeship of the Reginasailing Family – learning and sharing experiences together 

  • Get prepared for sailing in Safety, Comfort and Style

  • 3 days of friendly and relaxed learning (one day radar and two days electronic chart training) 

    (checking in on 19 Feb, checking out on 23 Feb or just remain in your room if you are on the RYA Day Skipper course anyway. Prolonged stay possible)

 

 

 

 

Using your Radar needs training! There is no better possibility than doing it on a simulator!

 

 

Who is this course for?

If you have taken the Day Skipper or the Yachtmaster Offshore theory courses, you might have noticed that electronic navigation and radar is only covered to a limited degree, despite the fact that today’s sailors are mainly relying on their plotter/PC/Tablet or mobile phone for navigation. 

You might have experienced that it’s not just a matter of switching on the plotter or radar and it will tell you where when to turn in what direction. Sailing is so much more complex and has nothing to do with driving a car with its built-in streetmap with routing option. And there are so many “hidden” options and tools in electronic charting systems many sailors would love to know, but never knew they existed. 

One of the most useful pieces of equipment is often already found onboard, but seldom used: the Radar. Skippers have far too limited experience or knowledge how to use it, unfortunately. It’s like a doctor having an Ultrasound machine in his or her practice, but had had no training how to interpret the dots, shades and shapes. After all, it’s not a photograph. And the plotter or PC does not display the reality. Instead, it’s merely more than a drawn map of your surrounding with your own position placed on a screen. You need to learn how to operate it safely. After all, this is not a computer game. You are surrounded by reality and the chart display system is a way to support you to sail in safety, comfort and style. Switching on your Radar the moment you encounter fog, hoping for the best can become a very disappointing experience.

Besides: The radar can be a great tool, also during perfect visibility!  

A typical screenshot from an RYA theory course. It’s a good start, but nothing compared to a true simulation with a real plotter with radar module!

The RYA is trying to master the splits between following the legislation with paper charts while, at the same time, seeing the reality that electronic navigation is becoming increasingly popular. To serve all training centers, they provide hand-outs of artificially drawn “screen shots” like the one to the left. Then the picture is discussed in class, teaching the basics in electronic navigation. This is a good step, but it is of limited value compared to a proper course working in pairs with a true PC simulator.

If you are new to skippering a boat or already have a plotter and/or radar onboard and would like to know more how to get the most out of them, this course is for you.

This course definitely takes the stress out of navigation and it may save your boat or even your life one day!

 

 

Crossing the English Channel using AIS to identify targets.

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Using Radar to identify boats without AIS, using ARPA and cross-checking the rocks by means of Radar.

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Your instructors: Rudi and Leon

This Reginasailing Theory course has not one, but two instructors, complimenting each other in the best of ways. You can learn from Leon’s 85,000+ nm of experience as a sailor and working as an RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Instructor for 15 years, and Rudi’s experience as a professional seaman and electronic navigation trainer. Understanding how the big vessels navigate can help us to act adequately as sailors.

In addition, Rudi is an eager sailor himself, owning a Hallberg-Rassy 36, equipped with the most modern electronic chart systems on plotters and PC’s that are feasible on a small sailing boat. Rudi sails most of the year (also during winters), has his home port in the Baltic, but loves Scottish waters. So Rudi knows both worlds and is a sought-after trainer for the commercial shipping industry. 

Reginasailing is very proud to have Rudi onboard for this exclusive course in Malta!

Leon and Rudi are also good old friends, by the way, having both worked together in the marine industry for decades. Throughout the years, they have been each other’s customers (Leon buying from Rudi and Rudi buying from Leon) and now they are finally working together, performing navigation training under the banner of Reginasailing.

Rudi and Leon onboard Regina Laska in 2016 after they both had sailed to Fair Isle on their corresponding boats to have their Fair Isle Sweaters hand-knitted by Hollie.

Rudi (left) onboard one of “his” ships that he has equipped with electronic navigation. Modern electronic navigation found on pleasure crafts are so powerful these days that they have become rather similar to what is found on large commercial vessels – if you know how to use your equipment that is!

 

What does the legislation say?

There is no doubt, any boat which is not equipped with a proper double ECDIS system (for big ships) or follow the new standard of the very stringent MGN319 rules for small craft, which come into effect in July 2025, must still use paper charts as their primary navigation tool. Full stop.

And that’s also why the RYA does not hesitate to teach classic navigation with paper charts for the foreseeing future. Paper charts are still the only allowed way for sailors to navigate, which this brand-new MGN319 rule proves. Yet, most leisure sailors completely rely on their electronics nevertheless and by doing so, take a risk. 

 

Navigating with paper charts is officially the only legal way to sail for the foreseeing future, which is proved by the new MGN319 rules. But many sailors disregard from this and use their plotters as their prime or even sole navigation tool. And for those this course is important!

 

The aim of this course is to minimise the risk of doing navigational errors, simplifying navigation and by this opening up for stress-free and fun sailing by means of understanding and training with electronic charts and radar. 

TZ iBoat on iPad or iPhone can be a good backup for your plotter system. If you use Furuno as your main navigation system, they even share data via the cloud.

And what are the fall-back systems onboard? According to the MGN319-rules you cannot rely on one system alone, but need a backup system both concerning power supply as well as chart display system. You need a second battery system,  a second system fulfilling these rules or – simply paper charts, which neither need power nor a charting hard- and software! But you need to master how to use paper charts, which is taught in the Day Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory courses. Now: What is your backup system on your own boat? Do you rely on electronic charts only? Is your sole backup system possibly your smartphone?  

 

 

 

The Moody 47 “Wahkuna” collided with
 “P&O Nedlloyd Vespucci”
 on 28. Mai 2003. Both had Radar. Both saw each other on Radar. But lack of training lead to the Moody sinking after the collision and the crew were lucky enough to climb into their life raft. With training, this could have been avoided.

Further, Rule 5 talks about lookout by all available means, including audible- and visual means as well as by the use of a marine Radar, if fitted. So owning a radar comes with a responsibility and since the rules say you need to use it, the operator needs to know how and must have received adequate training. Or otherwise, you will rely on scanty Radar information, which can be fatal as the collision between a sailing boat and a freighter in the English channel showed in 2003, leading to the sailing boat sinking.

Don’t forget:

When an accident occurs due to a navigational error,  the skipper can get into big trouble, not only regarding the safety of his family and friends onboard, but also regarding any insurance claims questioning your seamanship. Knowing the rules and being well trained is key to safety.  

Nobody can take the responsibility from the skipper or navigator to follow the rules and acting with his best of seamanship, but what Reginasailing wishes to do is to offer a good, fun and interesting training, so using your equipment becomes second nature and you feel in command of your instruments.

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Using the plotter needs more training than you might think.

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The Syllabus

There will be a mix of lectures with demonstrations and own tasks you have to do on your PC. You will learn how much you shall rely on AIS-information, Radar information and how you best make use of your electronic chart for safe and relaxed navigation, avoiding over-reliance and cross-checking with other means of data coming from other sources than GNSS (satellite-based navigation). 

 

There are ample possibilities to discuss different brands of equipment during the dinners in the evenings, but the course itself concentrates on the functionality. It uses the state-of-the-art 

The curriculum of the 3 days Radar and Electronic Navigation course in Malta consists of: 

 

   

1. Chart Display Systems (MFD’s etc)
– In what respect is el. nav. different to paper nav?
– Are plotters replacing paper charts and if so, when? 
– Plotters, PC’s, Tablets, phones 
– Hardware requirements 
– Modules (Radar, Camera, cZone, Sounder)
– Networks: NMEA183, NMEA2000 (CAN-bus), Ethernet
– Backup-systems
– Cross-checking information & simple fault finding

2. Planning tools 
– Appraisal, Planning, Execution, Monitoring
   in el. Navigation  
– Routes and where to place waypoints and how many?
– User Maps, Marks, Annotations, Bounderies
– Object mamagement 
– Weather routing 
– Imports & Exports
– Cloud based sharing to other devices

3. Software and Apps
– General setup of safety parameters
– Updates, Antivirus and Firewall (PCs)
– Chart compatibility 

4. Charts
– Raster and Vector charts
– Types of charts: S63, Navionics, C-Map, Mapmedia, official Hydrographic charts, etc
– Dates and updates
– Chart symbols  

5. Chart Work
– Panning&Zooming (and risks)
– Scale and Range
– Location and Orientation 
– Data and Colours
– Radar overlay
– Position fix on electronic chart without GPS
– Course to Steer (CTS) and Estimated Position (EP)
   by means of Vectors rather than geometry.

  

6. Radar Hardware 
– Understanding the principles of Radar 
– Difference between Pulse and Solid State Radar 
– Vertical and Horizontal lobes 
– Where to install the Radar
– Features, such as Doppler, RezBoost, Auto, ARPA etc 

7. Setting up the Radar
– Orientation
– Range
– Gain
– Rain & Wave Clutter

8. Interpreting the Radar
– Blind Spots
– Ghost echoes
– Interference 
– Relative and True Motion

9. Navigating with Radar 
– Position Fixing by Radar only (without GPS etc)
– Verifying GPS position by means of Radar
– Checking heading sensor and charts
– Racon, virtual AIS and other means of navigation

10. Avoiding Collision with Radar
– Radar-aided collisions, historic examples  
– How to recognise a collision course in Relative and True Motion
– ColReg Rules 5, 6, 7 and 19 in respect of Radar
– Be seen: Type of Radar reflectors 

11. Radar psychology
– The risk of over-reliance
– Studies on Radar operation
– Radar watch scheme 

 

 

 

If you are interested in continuing with practical sail training after the course, you can continue directly in Malta with Prosailing Malta or onboard Regina Laska on one of the Practical coastal sailing or Practical offshore sailing legs. 

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Relaxed electronic navigation in France

 

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The Preparation and Pre-Course knowledge

You should have a sound understanding for basic navigation, similar to the level of the RYA Day Skipper, SKS or higher. This is also why the RYA Day Skipper course is placed exactly before this course, so participants can seamlessly continue form the Day Skipper onto the Radar and Electronic Simulation course. 

If you already have more experience, such as being an RYA Yachtmaster or have the SSS or have gone the  RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Theory course, the better. You will also benefit from becoming a better radar operator and navigating safer and more comfortable. 

 

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Knowing how to use your radar is very useful, especially when approaching a harbour at night

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Course Info

What’s so special?

The Reginasailing theory courses are unique in many aspects. The main benefits are:

  • Combining theory with hands-on simulation on PC’s
  • Two instructors: one experienced sailor and one professional mariner 
  • Concentrated learning during a pleasant long week-end covering everything you need to know for safe electronic navigation – even when visibility drops to poor visibility or even fog. 
  • Combining holiday with fun learning
  • Beautiful venue at the famous Corinthia St George Hotel
  • Dinner at the renown Royal Malta Yacht Club (Members only and their guests) 
  • The Reginasailing atmosphere: make friends, meet again at reunions, at sea or at other courses. Become part of the Reginasailing family! 
  • Discuss your dreams, plans and boat equipment during evenings and lunches
  • Learn from an instructor with well above 85,000 miles of sailing experience (Leon) and a professional trainer in Electronic Navigation and Radar technology (Rudi) 

 

Exclusive dinner for Reginasailing at the Royal Malta Yacht club serving fresh local salt-baked fish (Seabass, Red Snapper and the local delicacy Gurbel)

 

Come and get to know Malta and the great Reginasailing Family.

 

The venue: The 5-star Corinthia St George Hotel:

Reginasailing has been offering Yachtmaster Theory courses in Malta since 2017. Thanks to excellent connections and loyalty Reginasailing has been upgrade to the 5-star Corinthia St George Bay Hotel in St Julians with extraordinary discounted price due to our loyalty! Prices have been kept the same for years, we may enjoy their best conference rooms and it is encouraged to bring your spouse for a relaxed holiday even if they don’t participate at the course. A spouse stays for free and only pays for the breakfast! 

Prolong your stay over the week-ends to enjoy some own sight-seeing and exploration of this historically interesting island! Especially Valletta is definitely worth a visit! Prolonging at the same discounted price is subject to availability and can only be guaranteed for early bookings. 

The Corinthia St George is one of the absolute top hotels in Malta, offering us a first-class conference room with a direct exit to the pool area with sea view. The Hotel is situated directly by the sea and offers great opportunities for combining your RYA theoretical course with holiday. It can’t get any better! 

 

The opening speech welcoming guests to Malta

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The view from the balcony outside our executive conference room

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Hotel prices for 2026 (same as for 2025):

Superior room with sea view (single occupancy): EUR 115 per night including breakfast

Your spouse just pays EUR 20 extra for the very extensive breakfast. 

 

 

Coures date:

  • Radar and Electronic Simulation course:  20- 22 February 2026

 

An evening at the Royal Malta Yacht Club. The sail training week is just as well a social event where we gain from each others’ experiences and enjoy the company.

 

Number of participants:

In order to grant the exclusive character and an individual and efficient learning experience, the number of participants have been limited to around 10 students.  

No paper charts in this course!

 

 

Price for the course:

  • Course Fee: Radar and Electronic Simulation course (3 days): EUR 560 plus travel, food and hotel

Included in the price is the G34 RYA Introduction to Radar booklet, which you will get in the course. 

Additional costs:

  • Hotel: The cost for the hotel nights are paid on site directly to the Corinthia hotel and booked via Reginasailing
  • Coffee breaks, water, lunches and dinner (see below)
  • Obviously your individual travel cost to Malta

 

 

 

 

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Outside overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

 

What to bring:

Nothing, possibly notebook and pen.

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Tea&Coffee/Water/Lunch/Dinner:


Coffee breaks are at 10:30 and 15:30.

Previous participants have requested to take these breaks in the hotel lobby at our own expense so everyone can choose their favourite coffee or tea, whether it is a freshly made cappuccino, an espresso or a fruit tea, rather than getting the usual pre-brewed coffee from a thermos in the conference room. 

Coffee break in the foyer of the venue (Corinthia St George).

Coffee breaks in the sun.

 

Water bottles are supplied on our conference table and cost 3 EUR per large bottle. The total number of water consumed is divided through the number or participants (including me, of course). 

Lunches are planned, but not necessarily, to be enjoyed jointly. Some wish to have a lunch break on their own or having a short nap after an intense morning! Often lunches are great fun, I must admit,  joining in for more talks about our joint sailing dreams…

To enjoy an efficient lunch, we choose from the menu and order during morning coffee breaks. At around 12:30 we walk over to the lunch terrace of the hotel at “Henry J Beans” or to the beautiful terrace overlooking the St George Bay in the nearby Verdi Hotel. We are then promptly served thanks to the fact that we ordered it during the morning break. Alternatively, we stay in the hotel lobby for some club sandwich or salad or we go for a short walk to the near by beach for a simple salad in the sunshine. 

Waiting for lunch in the near-by Verdi Hotel

 

 

If your spouse or partner is making you company for a holiday on Malta but does not join the course, they are obviously very warmly welcome to join for lunches and dinners! 

 

A salad or wrap for lunch at Henry J Beans just outside our conference room.

 

Dinners can be enjoyed on your own or jointly with the group. Typically I join you for most (but maybe not all) of the evenings. We enjoy dinners in my favourite restaurants in vicinity. 

Dinner at Fresco’s

The Reginasailing group at the MEZ restaurant, tasting the spices of the Indian Ocean.

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Frescos as seen on their own homepage

 

Possibly the top of evenings is when we jointly meet at the renown Royal Malta Yacht Club, (also famous for hosting the annual Rolex Middle Sea Race). As a member of the RMYC, I may invite my participants as guests at this exclusive club. 

 

 

Pre-dinner drink on the terrace of the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

Reginasailing dinner at the Yacht Club.

Flights and getting to and from the airport:

Malta is one of the easiest places to fly to from all over Europe. KM Malta, Lufthansa, Ryanair are just a few of the many airlines that fly into Malta several times per day.

The the easiest way around on Malta is to download the BOLT-App to your smartphone and let one of the over 1,000 BOLT-drivers pick you up anywhere and drive you exactly where you need to go. 

Fly to the sunshine in winter to this thrilling and very different island in the Mediterranean!

 

Book early:

Please contact me, preferably including some short information about yourself, if you are interested to participate in one of the upcoming theory courses.

What previous participants say about Reginasailing theory courses in Malta:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



“If I had to describe Leon as a person in three words, I would choose the following words: empathetic, professional, and patient. 

However, three words are not sufficient to fully capture his remarkable personality and his outstanding course. :) He impresses with his exceptional competence and practical tips, and he teaches the material in an engaging and enjoyable manner. Building a supportive community is important to him and is undoubtedly of great value to everyone. Thank you for the wonderful time with all the enthusiastic participants

  I am already eagerly looking forward to sailing with Leon." Click here to read more.

Niels Thiele, Germany, Yachtmaster Offshore Theory course 2025, Malta


“This is practice-oriented learning par excellence: this is how you learn passage planning!

Leon's balanced approach turned both the exercises and the subjects into interesting matter. As strange as it may sound, very often, we didn't wish to finish on time - especially as Leon's wealth of knowledge seems inexhaustible!

It was an interesting, instructive and very entertaining time in the company of friendly, inquisitive people who were now even more eagerly looking forward to the next sailing adventure." Click here to read more.

Dagmar Schulze, Germany, Yachtmaster Offshore Theory course 2025, Malta


“It has been amazing to meet all the like minded fellow sailors from across the world and to spend the time in this course together. 
You have created a fantastic atmosphere inside and outside of the course making it a great and fun experience not only to learn together but also to get to know the other people personally. With your patience and comprehensive knowledge you answered all the course related questions but also all the additional sailing questions beyond and provided practical hands on answers and approaches, which made this course a truly outstanding one.

I am very happy to have participated in this course, which was much beyond pure theory." Click here to see more photos.

Roland Maasfeld, Germany, Yachtmaster Offshore Theory course 2025, Malta


“ Thank you so much for this fantastic course, including the entire organisation of every little detail around it. It became a great base for getting to know each other which was part of the fun! So many nice people!"

The atmosphere was outstanding, not the least because we could ask so many questions! Thank you therefore especially for all your knowledge and tips and tricks, on the side-line so to speak, regarding everything, including which equipment we should choose for our new Boréal we have on order!

We are so happy that we both participated at this outstanding theory course, which was so much more than just to learn navigation and seamanship! Click here to see more photos.

Peter Veit, Germany, Yachtmaster Offshore Theory course 2025, Malta


“ Having sailed and co-skippered for more than ten years for the Swiss Cruising Club (CCS), I felt I needed a change from this rather stiff, hierarchical Swiss and German training system and boat spirit. No wonder I was very curious to learn more about Leon, the other participants and the rather ambitious curriculum of the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore theory: 6 days including 3 tests of 2-3 hours).
Leon has a way to instruct that makes it fun to learn and to move through the challenging, yet praxis-oriented theory. Further, the amazing, international, open minded people I met on the course made these intense 6 days of theory almost feel like a vacation.
It definitely gave me a first taste and “flavour” of the often cited "Reginasailing Family“ groove." Click here to read more.

Bettina Heydrich, Switzerland, RYA Yachtmaster Offshore shore-based course 2024 


“This theory course felt like sailing together with friends! After six intense days I can confirm that the group worked together in an excellent way. All knew what we were about to achieve and how we could get there as a team in the best of ways. The days in classroom were intense - to say the least. But, at the same time, highly interesting! During the evenings we enjoyed great food in different excellent restaurants continuing our fun discussions and dreams about boats and sailing. What a treat!! That’s how it is when sailing. Leon was impressive how he was organising it all, how he was able to support each individual person, allowing each participant to feel that they had great capabilities to pass even the most challenging seamanship and navigational exercises. " Click here to read more.

Martin und Brigitte Winkel, Austria, RYA Yachtmaster Offshore shore-based course 2024 


“Leon has a philosophical approach to sailing, mixing the ying of mastery of the elements with the yang of mastery of technology. The group soon began to gel and after the days in the conference room, we sat for long meals at long tables at great restaurants and learned about each other’s lives in Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, Germany and Austria. It’s an excellent, friendly learning week. Its pace is quite high - there is a lot to get through, but the coffee is excellent, the setting lovely, the sunshine welcome and the instructor quite excellent. It’s a great way to expand your sailing network by making new friends with a shared experience." Click here to read more.

David Kinnaird, UK, RYA Yachtmaster Offshore shore-based course 2024 


“The RYA method is much more hands-on than the German SKS, constantly emphasising on good seamanship. Once I had taken the hurdle with the English sailing terminology, it was all really relaxed. There was a wide selection of RYA-books to help getting to know the terminology - not to forget Leon’s own new book "Praxisguide Fahrtensegeln” in German. Leon is not only an enthusiastic teacher, who has worked hard to keep complex things simple. He is also such a gifted presenter. In addition, Leon is also a good psychologist. And not to forget: the Yachtmaster theory course in Malta is much more than simply expanding knowledge. Taking part also means to become a member of the Regina Laska family! Getting together with lots of highly experienced sailors is one of the main highlights - and everything in a most relaxing and stress-free atmosphere." Click here to read more.

Christian Rudolf, Germany, RYA Yachtmaster Offshore shore-based course 2023


"Compared to the German system, the SSS or the SKS, the Yachtmaster is more focused on the practical side. Having said that, it’s certainly not a beginners’ course. Leon tried to encourage us to be proper seamen (and women): instead of insisting on “overly correct” interpolation. He wanted us to be able to decide when it is important to be precise and when one degree or two don’t matter so much. Leon certainly has an eye for putting together a group and making everyone feel welcome and appreciated. Teaching is thorough and entertaining, and very generous. I really liked “Leon’s templates”, e.g. for secondary port calculations and passage planning. " Click here to read how the course felt.

Daniela Baumgaertl, Germany, RYA Yachtmaster Offshore shore-based course 2023


"The real benefit of the course was the team chemistry created by Leon. The Yachtmaster theory course in Malta brought together very different characters of sailors at all levels to produce a fun, motivated, always open and helpful crew that guided itself through long working hours of navigational calculations, rather monotonous ColRegs and different aspects of passage planning – never leaving behind the slower ones and always with a good joke at hand. As a consequence, I signed up for the first possible opening as crew on Regina Laska. I look forward to the next steps." Click here to read more

Christoph Lussi, Germany, taking the RYA Yachtmaster-Theory-Course in Malta 2019


"It was a very intensive week in Malta. Adding essential knowledge and skills to my, until then, basic and rudimentary sailing education was really a challenge to me. It was interesting to see how everybody was ambitious to pass the test and it was Leon´s personal merit to form a group of people, who didn't know each other before, to become study-teams where all were interested in heightening their own skills." Click here to read more

Achim Helmenstein, Cologne/Germany, Cranchi Endurance33 Motorboat owner on Mallorca, taking the RYA Yachtmaster-Theory-Course in Malta 2018


"Leon is a great teacher. He always started with the concepts. Understanding the concepts helped me when I did not get a detail- I just went back up to the concept and worked it through. His personal observations on my learning style greatly supported the learning process. Light touch yet remarkable. I was very impressed and surprised with how much I learnt and how my confidence and interest grew. I worked hard all week and enjoyed every minute."

Sandra Morson, Scotland, HR40 owner, taking the Yachtmaster Theory course in Malta 2018


"Leon is simply wonderful. I have passed the Yachtmaster theory assessment already when I arrived in Malta, but felt that my understanding of the subject was academic rather than working knowledge that can be applied actively at sea. Leon’s fun, interactive teaching style changed that. On his courses, the learning stays with you after you have left the classroom. Plus, he has the patience of a saint. Every question from each student was answered thoughtfully, in comfort and style, of course. Thank you, Leon!" Click here to see some photos

Carol Wu, Hongkong, taking the Yachtmaster Theory course in Malta 2018


"Despite Leon’s colourful examples and very patient attempts to clarify things, I felt frustrated and limited in my basic knowledge. I was very grateful for the patience shown by Leon and other members in the class when I needed to go back over something simple. While Leon clearly provides you with the academic “tools” to use, his real gift in presenting this course is in his manner of leading the many discussions, providing relevant personal examples with his trademark enthusiasm and drawing out personal experiences from his students so that your learning is reinforced. So, in hindsight, I learnt far more than I initially thought." Click here to read full story

Cyndy Moncrieff, Australia, taking the RYA Yachtmaster Theory Course in Malta.


"Leon passed on the huge amount of intense matter with great enthusiasm, giving us students so much fun and we laughed a lot! Leon’s vast experience and his stories constantly kept us attentive. The session on meteorology was phenomenal. Both the pro's (there were two Lufthansa airline pilots amongst us) and the amateurs were impressed by how clearly and vividly Leon brings meteorology to life. I would like to highly recommend this course to anyone interested in learning about sailing, navigation and seamanship in a highly pleasant atmosphere.
" Click here to read full story

Ralf Gude, Germany, taking the RYA Yachtmaster Theory Course in Malta


"II participated in an intensive learning week, doing the RYA yacht master prep-course in Malta. Leon teaches in a relaxed and easy to follow way. It was fun, also because our group was working together very well. We were laughing a lot during this week and that 
is the most important thing. 
For me, I can say, that my first step for navigating in tidal waters is now done! I`m looking forward to do the second step in summer by sailing in Scotland with Leon onboard Regina Laska.
" Click here to read full story

Ludwig Obermeier, Germany, taking the RYA Yachtmaster Theory Course in Malta


"This is a real "crash course" and the "fast lane" in sailing theory. A really realistic and hands-on way of learning! I had lots of fun doing it, and sticking to Leon, who repeated over and over again: It's all about understanding! I do not quite understand how Leon is doing this, but he probably chooses his students carefully, since I was only surrounded by very smart, open-minded, international and very warm-hearted people, which made me feel so comfortable right away!" Click here to read full story

Julia Pukelsheim, Germany


"If you wish to learn navigation and laugh at the same time, take a course with Leon!"

Kajsa Lemby, Sweden, owning HR31 "Bikkuri"


"During this RYA theory course in Malta, we could get a glance of the friendly way of learning! A course, where learning was made so easy and gave so much joy! All participants were wonderful people and I think this has lead up to friendship for life! A crash course for some and a good repetition for others. And all this embedded in a great holiday-feeling in the sunshine!" Click here to read full story

Stefan Graf zu Dohna, Germany


"I must confess: Maths is not one of my favourite subjects so I was afraid this theory course would be tough on me. However, Leon’s sensitivity against my very modest love for Maths was encouraging and I never got that ugly feeling of ‘not being smart enough’. It was so nice to solve all Maths problems in such a ‘relaxed’ way!" Click here to read full story

Esther Leuenberger, Switzerland


"The RYA shore-based training course in Malta was a fantastic week. Leon is a great teacher with profound knowledge as well as the best inspirer on sailing I have ever met so far! You could virtually feel the daily increasing desire by all participants to sail more!" Click here to read full story

Achim Schindler, Germany, HR43 owner


"Leon’s way of delivering this RYA course by taking just a small group of no more than 8 students and to gather these on Malta was so spot on! I really enjoyed the fact the course was so full of great true stories taken from the real world packed with Leon’s vast sailing experience. Therefore, the theory felt so hands-on and practical and 'un-theoretical'" Click here to read full story

Christian Pukelsheim, Germany


"It was so exciting to learn with Leon that I felt uplifted into a new dimension. We all become so energized and motivated to learn more and more about sailing and Leon’s easy to understand way of explaining and his unbeatable entertaining “story telling hours” helped us to come so close to our dreams that we could almost touch them! Anything suddenly seemed possible and nothing undoable, you just have to follow your heart and live your dreams!" Click here to read full story

Marianne Karlsen, Switzerland, owning a J/88
For more information on the syllabus and suggested books, see here.

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