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Sailing Qualifications & Information

 
First Class Sailing run practical RYA Sailing Courses from March through to the beginning of December.
 
  • Where?
    We use a mixture of our own boats based at Shamrock Quay in Southampton and those owned by private individuals. These are based in Gosport and Lymington.
 
The Solent is a fantastic place to learn to sail. There are numerous harbours (small and large), bays, creeks, rivers, marinas, anchorages to practice within. There is a mass of other boats and shipping that make sailing in the Solent always fun and interesting. There is always something to see. And avoid! The Isle of Wight provides a reasonable amount of protection from gales meaning the sea within the Solent can stay relatively flat compared to that out in the open sea. The tides in the Solent provide students with an excellent opportunity to get to grips with them.
 
  • Start and finish times
We prefer it if you arrive the evening before your course starts this way you can start getting to know the yacht, the skipper and your fellow crew mates before the course really gets under way. If this is not possible then you need to be at the boat by 8.30am on the first day of the course.
 
Each day of the course is packed with activity. You are usually having breakfast by 8am if not a little bit earlier depending on the day's wind and tide. You are usually in a marina with hot showers and a pub nearby by 6pm. Sometimes you may drop anchor for the night, other times you may tie on to a buoy.
 
You can expect to finish to course/weekend by 5pm on the last day of the course.
 
  • Accommodation

Accommodation during a practical sailing course is on board the yacht. On the yachts we use there are almost always 3 double cabins and 2 single berths which provide accommodation for 8 people. However there would only ever be a maximum of 5 plus the instructor on board.

 
  • Food
Except for supper on the evening you join the boat we provide food on board for all meals. We provide food that is healthy and nutritious. Salads, vegetables, a choice of white and wholemeal bread, free range chicken, lean mince meat, Muesli and Cornflakes, yoghurt, good orange/apple juice etc. The kind of food that you might buy yourself. For snacks there will be health bars and fruit but also a plentiful supply of chocolate and biscuits!
 
If you have any special dietary requirements just let us know when you fill out a booking form.
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  • Showers/facilities

There are showers on board but most nights you will be in a marina with good hot showers and shoreside facilities.

 
  • What to bring?
Space on a boat is always at a premium so to maximise the space available you should pack your clothes in a soft holdall that can be stuffed in a cupboard if need be. You should also try and avoid bringing a bag with sharp/heavy/damaging extremities like wheels or metal buckles as these have a tendency to damage the wood work on boats.
A sleeping bag
A pillow
A towel
Warm clothing. Bear in mind that it can sometimes by cooler on the water on land.
Fleeces and thermals are good for the chillier months.
A sunhat/baseball cap
Suncream
Sunglasses
A woolly hat
Sailing gloves
Non marking shoes. (Trainers or deck shoes)
Non slip/non marking waterproof wellies (not agricultural type wellies). These can be purchased from the chandlery at Shamrock Quay for about £25 to £30.
Waterproof clothing (unless you have asked us to provide it for you)
Logbook (highly recommended).  £5.  This can be purchased when you book your course or call the office.
Passport
 
We will provide all safety equipment such as lifejackets and harnesses etc.