Sailing News

All the latest news from the world of sailing and stories from experienced sailors.

In a previous blog, we discussed what the first steps are when you want to learn to sail. It pointed towards RYA Competent Crew & RYA Day Skipper Theory being the perfect starting place for a beginner just setting off on their sailing adventure. So you’ve completed both beginner courses. What’s next? The answer is Read more

Are you a First Class Skipper?

First Class Sailing are here to help you progress on your journey from being an aspiring skipper with some yachting experience to being a confident offshore Yachtmaster .

First Class Sailing Rescue Historic Vessel

First Class Sailing has rescued a 1908 Gaff Rigger. After some restoration and a refit she will be sailed along the south coast to her new home in Southampton where she will live alongside the existing fleet of modern cruising yachts.

Challenge of the Channel Islands

Clive Loughlin invites you to look over his shoulder as he plans a 7-day cruise to the Channel Islands.

OnLine RYA Training – using Zoom !

First-rate online learning courses leading to full RYA qualifications including Day Skipper Theory, Yachtmaster Theory, Ocean Yachtmaster Theory and even a Spanish or French Language Course for Sailors!

Clients Praise Instructors At First Class Sailing

  Every aspect of your RYA course with First Class Sailing, from the yachts to the all-weather clothing and food is meticulously planned. But it wouldn’t be worth anything if the instructors did match those same qualities. On a voyage the balance and make up of the crew is important, especially when you are being Read more

The Benefits of Autumn Sailing On The Solent

See the Solent in a different light   It may come as a surprise to you, but this time of year is our favourite for sailing courses and many of our instructors prefer it. So, we’ve listed a few of the reasons why we believe Autumn sailing can be much better than in the Summer: Read more

From A Day Out To Day Skipper. What Pushes The Sailor In You?

Taking the helm   As a school, First Class Sailing can cater for the wide variety of skills aspiring sailors require. There are some who like to be a member of the crew, not quite a passenger but willing to share group responsibility. Others want to improve, learn more and eventually take the helm as Read more

Why now is the best time to go back to school to learn about trigonometry on a Day Skipper Shorebased course?

A lot of the navigational side of sailing is based on very simple school girl/boy trigonometry. The question of how to get from A to B when the tide is pushing you in a certain direction can be solved by drawing straight forward triangle on the chart. And so why is now the best time Read more

Why get qualified? An RYA Yachtmaster Instructor Explains Why You Should

A typical class on a school boat takes in a diverse range of ages, backgrounds and aspirations. First published in Sailing Today, Clive Loughlin looks at why RYA qualifications are worth more than the paper they are printed on. As published in Sailing Today – August 2018 (pdf version) 5 + 40 + 5 = Read more