Sailing News

    Following on from our blog about mile building trips after Day Skipper (which can be read here) we thought we’d follow up with one for aspiring Yachtmasters.   For the Yachtmaster Coastal you need 800nm.  If you have done the Coastal Skipper course this is reduced to 400nm – this halving of the… Read more

    Once you have taken your practical Day Skipper course, you might wonder what you can do next that will help build your skills on the water. Chartering a boat in the Med with you as skipper is a good start.  You will have learnt a lot already.  As soon as you are the… Read more

    Understanding tides and how they affect your vessel is critical to making any passage short or long. Get it right and you can have a slick, quick, fun journey to your destination, an easy park in the marina of your choice, making that dinner reservation and getting to the pub before closing time. … Read more

    If you are at Yachtmaster level or heading in that direction then you will no doubt be familiar with the requirements under SOLAS for passage planning.   In my experience, a lot is made of the legal requirement for passage planning on courses. If you are taking your YachtMaster practical you will be… Read more

    There are plenty of books about sailing out there, from which you can learn a tremendous amount and we would recommend you read as many as you can.  However, when it comes to casting off, on a real floating boat, on the sea, we would definitely say do not do this on your… Read more

    Embarking on your sailing journey is going to be an exciting adventure, and we can help you with it, guiding you along the way. One of the first questions we are often asked is  what the best course for a beginner is.   Our two beginner-friendly courses are Competent Crew where you’re out… Read more

Joining a Sailing Club can be a great way of meeting people who go sailing. Check out our list of Sailing Clubs.

    When you take an RYA sailing course with First Class Sailing, the time spent is not just about mastering your skills on the water. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to see some of the most picturesque and historically significant locations on the English coastline. Our courses all take place from our Southampton base,… Read more

    Finding the perfect gift for a sailor is challenging. The best sailing gifts for him should really be something that will add to the experience of the recipient, rather than a traditional present or accessory. At least, that’s what we think, which is why we’re putting our sailing gift vouchers, holidays, and courses… Read more