Java Yachting Academy (JYA) is a TAT
and Thai-registered well-established
company with offices in Krabi and
Phuket.

The company is an internationally
recognized IYT facility specializing in
training on dinghies, all types of sailing vessels,
both catamaran and mono-hulls, RIBS and
power boats.

JYA has a substantial client base in
China, Europe and Asia and is owned and
operated by John Coffin, a Master Mariner with
over 50 years’ experience in the marine industry.
In addition to sailing as a Master on commercial
vessels of all types John also spent over 20
years in China and Vietnam building merchant
vessels and opened his own boatyard near
Shanghai. Not satisfied in sitting still he became
one of the founding members of the Shanghai
Boat and Yacht Club (SBYC) later becoming
the Shanghai Meifan Yacht Club. John held the
rank of Commodore for eight years and under
his guidance developed the club into one of the
leading sailing venues in China.

John is supported in Krabi by Jess, an
Java Yachting grows
experienced Chinese sailor, who has also completed
extensive training with Clipper Ventures
in UK, and Paul – a well-known Phuket based
sailor. Thai support staff and dinghy instructors
consist of Thai nationals.

From its bases in Krabi and Phuket Java
offers recreational courses to suit all comers.
Courses are tailored to a client’s requirements
and all skipper and competent crew training
include at least five days liveaboard along with
sessions involving docking and undocking in
marinas. Weekend training programs (theory
and practical) are also run out of the Krabi
marina with accommodation available on site.
These programs include practical boat handling
skills, advanced navigation and pilotage techniques
along with solar and celestial navigation
and position fixing.

JYA has established programs with
schools and universities in Thailand and China
and is involved in the Duke of Edinburgh award
scheme. A repeat customer base with US Navy
(Approved Contractor), Cathay Pacific Pilots
Association, the Shanghai Meifan Yacht club,
together with a number of locally based hotels,
makes for an interesting and vibrant business. 

Boats currently used for training
include:

• Monohulls: Isabella, a Bavaria 46,
  Jade Princess, a Hans Christian 43,
  Mas Alegre, a Standfast 40 and the
  very lively Judy, a Mumm 30
• Catamarans: Java, a Stealth 11.8,
  and Compass Rose, a Seawind 1160
• Trimarans: four Corsair Pulse 600
• Various smaller day boats and din
  ghies are also available for training,
  team building and regattas out of
  Krabi and Phuket.

All boats are available for charter with
special rates given to clients who have previously
trained and received accreditation from
the helpful staff at Java Yachting Academy.

“Covid 19 has obviously had a serious
impact for our business especially as a number
of our customers for training and chartering
come from outside of Thailand,” John Coffin
says, “To partially overcome this we have
further developed our base in Krabi to cater to
weekend and short-term visitors from within
Thailand and can offer attractive accommodation
and day sailing in and around the
mangroves close to the Krabi River system.”

This can also involve skippered and
bare boat day sailing to the local islands
returning to the Krabi Marina for dinner and
overnight accommodation. Krabi airport and
Picasai Golf club are only 20 minutes away
from the marina so sailing and golf becomes an
interesting and attractive option. A swimming
pool and gym are located at the marina for
families along with restaurant and bar.

In addition to the development in
Krabi, Java has placed three Corsair Pulse 600
trimarans on moorings outside of the Phuket
Yacht Club in Ao Chalong. These boats will be
made available for day charters, club regattas
and training and should prove an exciting
addition to the local sailing scene. Day sailing
to adjacent islands proves an easy option for
a break on the weekend along with exciting
sailing when the winds are up.

Feel free to contact our friendly staff
at any time or visit their extensive website at
www.javayachting.com.