Night Sailing Weekend
Starting from: £549
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Sailing at night can be a hugely satisfying experience that exposes sailors to the rewards and challenges not faced in daylight hours. Phosphorescent trails and star light skies on one hand. Unseen approaching gusts and squalls on the other, plus the obvious challenge of how to navigate! Join us for a weekend of night sailing on the Solent.
- Practice navigating in the dark
- A brilliant opportunity with the safety of our instructor on-board
- Gain confidence and skills night sailing
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Fun
Excellent teaching and great fun. The night crossing of the Solent and up the Beaulieu River was wonderful. We had a first class experience with First Class sailing and will be turning to them for other courses.
Jonathan S, UK
Verified Customer
These weekends are aimed at those that have done plenty of sailing but not much night sailing, for recently qualified Day Skippers or above, for boat owners looking to gain confidence of sailing at night or for anyone just wanting to night sail.
The Solent is a great place to practice and learn to night sail. There are so many navigational marks and buoys blinking away and other craft moving about not to mention the myriad of background shore lights that all do their best to confuse and confound. Picking out leading lights, for example into New Town Creek, or sectored lights like into busy Portsmouth are skills that can't be learnt and improved. These night sailing weekends are about giving you experience and tips in such settings.
5.0 based on 496 Happy Customers on Tripadvisor
RYA-certified sailing courses
5.0 based on 220 Happy Customers on Google Reviews
More Info on the Night Sailing 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.
All 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 Details
Here’s a breakdown of the most important information about the Night Sailing Weekend:
Required Experience
- Anyone from Competent Crew to Yachtmaster Offshore
Duration
- Friday 2pm to Sunday 1pm
Experience Gained
- Sailing in the dark.
- An appreciation and understanding of how to navigate at night.
- Collision avoidance using navigation lights.
- How to go about entering a port at night.
Building Confidence
- Great for building confidence of sailing in the dark and navigating at night and entering harbours.
Get Started In 3 Easy Steps
We make going on the Night Sailing Weekend easy
Select A Date
Look at our upcoming course dates and choose the one that best suits you.
Turn Up
Sail in the Solent with all the navigation marks and lights of other vessels that it has to offer.
Become A First Class Sailing
Sail into the sunset knowing you'll be able to find your way when darkness descends.
Night Sailing Weekend -
Complete Breakdown
Proposed Itinerary
We generally run these weekends between October and April when darkness descends early enough to allow plenty of sailing in the dark without having to stay up ridiculously late. Joining the boat at 2pm on the Friday, you will set sail that afternoon and sail until around midnight. There will be a leisurely start to Saturday, with some sailing during the day plus a bit of a rest in the afternoon, before sailing that evening through to around midnight again.
On Sunday you will sail back to Shamrock Quay, Southampton to be finished and away by 1pm.
More Information
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.
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 boats
First Class Sailing are a great team, providing excellent training both for formal RYA sailing courses and sailing experiences.
The boats are in very good condition & well equipped for training & local cruising. The team are super knowledgeable and they have a great roster of instructors in hand to deliver the courses.
Ian H
Verified Customer
Fantastic Instructor
Our instructor was fantastic, being very clear and understandable in his teaching to us students and when not teaching, was an all round nice guy. The boat, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 379, was really clean and perfectly comfortable for all students providing a pleasant place to sleep at night. None of the days or nights were ever the same.
Ollie C
Verified Customer
Excellent location
The location was excellent and the variety of harbours helps students experience a wide number of approaches and berths.
The night sail was a whole new experience for me but I felt confident under Paul’s guidance.
The boat and kit provided were excellent.
Simon N
Verified Customer
Not Sure Where to Start?
Use our guides to determine your level and find suitable courses.
See how internationally recognised RYA courses progress alongside your sailing skills.
Ready to go on a Night Sailing Weekend
Get some great experience sailing after dark.
- Develop skills and confidence night sailing
- Learn how to enter ports, and avoid collisions at night
- A fun learning experience with other students
Friendly and Professional
From the start to finish, they were friendly and professional, making the whole process a very enjoyable experience. Our instructor, was excellent, he made us feel at ease from the moment we arrived at the boat for our first weekend and had a fantastic teaching style; we learnt so much whilst having great fun at the same time. The food supplied was good, boat was new, clean and in good condition. Would certainly use First Class again for any future courses and would recommend without hesitation.
Charlotte E
Verified Customer
Ready to go on a Night Sailing Weekend
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