All the latest news from the world of sailing and stories from experienced sailors.
Looking for an unforgettable experience gift for an outdoor lover? From sailing weekends to wild adventures, here are 2025’s best outdoor experience gifts — and why a First Class Sailing voucher stands proudly at number one.
Discover Britain’s most dramatic coastline on our Dorset Jurassic Coast Cruises. Build miles while exploring Studland Bay, Weymouth, Lulworth Cove and Portland Bill — ideal for anyone progressing toward Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster. Practise pilotage, tidal planning and watchkeeping under expert guidance.
Join our Norway Sailing Expeditions aboard a Challenger 72 and experience true offshore adventure. Sail Portsmouth → Norway with fjord cruising, or join the return leg back across the North Sea. Log serious miles, build offshore confidence and enjoy breath taking scenery.
Join our Offshore Adventures — part of the Atlantic Circuit. Sail from Portsmouth to the Canaries, race the ARC to St Lucia, or return from Antigua to Portsmouth. Build miles, skill and confidence on these iconic bluewater voyages.
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Build miles, confidence, and real offshore experience with our Mile Building Sailing Trips. From weekend Channel hops to coastal sails, Norway voyages, and Atlantic adventures, you’ll handle different conditions, learn to problem-solve at sea, and gain the miles needed for RYA Yachtmaster or Coastal Skipper progression.
The Coastal Skipper RYA qualification is your next step toward confident coastal cruising and night sailing. Learn what’s involved, who it’s for, and how to earn your certificate.
Learn what makes the RORC Round Britain & Ireland Race 2026 such a legendary offshore challenge, and how First Class Sailing’s full training and race campaign prepares sailors to take it on safely, confidently, and as part of a professional crew.
Competent Crew in Autumn offers a completely different kind of sailing experience. The Solent is quieter, the winds are steadier, and there’s more room to learn without the summer rush. With smaller crews, expert instructors, and the chance to experience night sailing, autumn and winter are the perfect seasons to take your RYA Competent Crew Course and discover the real joy of sailing.
RYA sailing courses offer a hands-on, structured way to learn to sail with expert instructors on the Solent, in Southampton and London. Build real confidence, earn internationally recognised qualifications, and discover why RYA training is trusted worldwide.
Join First Class Sailing in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers 2026 — a world-famous transatlantic adventure from Gran Canaria to St Lucia. Sail aboard a Challenger 72 yacht and make 2026 the year you cross the Atlantic.
What to Expect on an RYA Competent Crew Course: A Day-by-Day Guide Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to live aboard a yacht while learning to sail? Whether you're completely new to sailing or just looking to build confidence on the water, the RYA Competent...
Our 5-day Competent Crew Course syllabus is designed to equip you with all the necessary knowledge and skills you need to be an effective crew member. This includes personal safety (yours, and others), navigation, and helmsmanship. You can sign-up to the practical...