Learn to use a Sextant
Starting from: £549
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This Celestial Sailing weekend offers a practical hands on experience, a great way to get some sextant practice and a chance to find out if it's a subject you'd like to take further. The weekend will cover the basic principles behind fixing your position using a sextant.
- Learn to navigate using the stars and sun with a sextant
- Perfect weekend as an introduction or refresher
- Learn in a small group
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Mars, Venus star and sun sights
This was a brilliant weekend, with big spring tides, and hence a very small moon. Although inevitably we observed and learnt some of our instructor Nigel's numerous tricks of the trade, he concentrated wholly on explanations, sun sights, star sights, planning, and subsequent calculations. Immediate feedback on sextant readings was most beneficial.
Bennie C
Verified Customer
For centuries sailors have navigated their way across the oceans by celestial navigation or nautical astronomy - using the sun, moon, planets and the stars. For the modern sailor it is not only a fascinating art but essential when crossing oceans as back up to the modern and much relied upon electronic navigation.
If you are curious about how to use a sextant or have taken the Yachtmaster or Ocean Theory courses, or are even self taught, our celestial sailing weekends are ideal offering both an introduction and a refresher. All are welcome. A big advantage is that you learn in a small group, under the supervision of an expert instructor.
The weekends usually involve sailing along the south side of the Isle of Wight and back up through the Needles.
5.0 based on 496 Happy Customers on Tripadvisor
RYA-certified sailing courses
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More Info on the Celestial Weekend
Low crew to instructor ratios: Our low crew to instructor ratios mean that each crew member receives ample guidance and support during their sailing experience.
Al meals included on-board: Enjoy hassle-free trips with all meals provided on-board. From hearty breakfasts to satisfying dinners. Crew can focus on the experience without worrying about extra expenses.
Wet weather gear included: Be prepared for any conditions with the use of our wet weather gear. Whether it’s rain or wind, stay comfortable and protected during your outdoor activities with quality gear provided at no additional cost.
Friendly experienced instructors: Learn from the best with our team of friendly and experienced instructors. With a wealth of knowledge and a passion for teaching, our instructors are dedicated to creating a supportive and enjoyable learning environment for crew of all skill levels.
Key Course Details
Here’s a breakdown of the most important information about the Learn to use a Sextant:
Required Experience
- You need to have done some sailing
- No previous experience with a sextant needed
Course Duration
- 2 days
Experience Gained
- Learn to use a sextant and navigate using the sun and starts
Building Confidence
- A brilliant learning experience using a sextant, something sailors have done for centuries!
Get Started In 3 Easy Steps
We make learning to use a sextant easy.
Select A Date
Look at our upcoming course dates and choose the one that best suits you.
Take The Course
Learn to use a sextant at sea.
Become A First Class Sailing
With your newfound knowledge, why not sail of into the sunset?
Celestial Weekend -
Complete Breakdown
Proposed Itinerary
If you have your own sextant bring it along. You can compare the pros and cons of different models ranging from the very basic through to the proper thing. The course will cover the basic principles behind using a sextant to fix your position, initial sextant checks, meridian passage, sun sights, star planning, compass checks and whatever else we can fit in. Plus you will get some great sailing!
These weekends offer a practical hands on experience, a great way to get some sextant practice and a chance to find out if it’s a subject you’d like to take further.
Accommodation is on board, use of waterproofs are included, food on board is included for all meals apart from the Friday evening meal.
The weekend will cover the basic principles behind fixing your position using a sextant.
Learn to use a Sextant
We find it is better if you arrive the evening before your course starts. This way you can start getting to know the yacht, the skipper and your crew mates before the course really gets under way. Quite often on these celestial weekends you will cast of on the Friday evening.
During your sailing course you’ll sleep on board the yacht. There’s typically three double cabins and two single berths which provide accommodation for eight people. However, there’s only ever a maximum of 4 students on board, plus the instructor. You can book a whole boat with up to 5 students.
Sometimes two people have to share the saloon or a cabin. The saloon is a large airy space with the two single berths or a large double. The cabins can have a dividing cloth to separate the space in half. You would never have to share with someone of the opposite sex.
You can expect to get away by 3pm on the final day. If you are catching a train we recommend you do not book a ticket in advance as we can’t guarantee you will get away at 5pm on the dot. It could be earlier or a little later.
What Sailors Say About Us
5.0 based on 561 Happy Customers On Tripadvisor 
5.0 based on 323 Happy Customers On Google Reviews
Good explanations from instructors
The instructors are very friendly, knowledgeable, and keen to help you work on anything you want more practice on rather than just focus on the curriculum. They let you try a few things, make some mistakes (so long they are not dramatic, best way to learn in my opinion!), and explain why some options are better than others. Also, I have a lot of experience and obviously have picked up bad habits along the way. Instructors explain alternatives and what you can do differently but ultimately, if it works and you're safe, they are happy with it. Instructors really work with you to make a plan that works for everyone and learn along the way, I really had a blast with them.
Food is good too, no ready-meals, mostly good food easy enough to prepare on board. Provided oil skins are in great conditions, it's really important! Boats are in good conditions and the Solent is a fantastic playground, which helps.
Florent DP
Verified Customer
Smooth booking process
The First Class sailing school team lives up to its name: they are first class professionals who run the school like a perfectly oiled machine. Very clear communications and timely instructions made the process of booking the course, setting it up and getting to the boat as easy and enjoyable as a walk in the park.
Miguel P
Verified Customer
Patient Instructor
I did the shore based Ocean Yachtmaster course with First Class Sailing. Nigel Rennie was our instructor who was as patient as he was excellent.
Fergus M
Verified Customer
Not Sure Where to Start?
Use our guides to determine your level and find suitable courses.
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Ready to go on a Celestial Weekend
Get some great experience learning to use a sextant on this Celestial Weekend
- Develop new skills and confidence navigating using the sun and stars
- A fun and unforgettable weekend
- Learn with just a few other students
First Class sailing deliver a brilliant all round experience. The website and booking system is intuitive and simple to use. Communication from the team was prompt and the instructions and kit list meant I had everything I could possibly need. The boats are modern and clean and the food is great. Special mention should go to our instructor Peter who was super knowledgeable, patient and delivered much of the training through asking carefully considered questions giving us the the time and space to make mistakes and figure things out ourselves - in my view the best way to learn. If you're looking to improve your sailing at any level then give First Class Sailing a call.
Gavin W
Verified Customer
Ready to go on a Celestial Weekend
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