Richard
Found the whole experience very enlightening and educational
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Take your sailing to the next level with a five-day practical course designed for aspiring skippers. You’ll develop the skills to manage a yacht by day, including navigation, passage planning, sail handling, and crew management. The course combines intensive learning with real experience sailing around the Solent and South Coast harbours.
The course is structured as a practical assessment, with each student learning and being evaluated while participating in all aspects of yacht operation. You will be involved in preparation for sea, deck work, passage making, anchoring, mooring, and watchkeeping under the guidance of an RYA-qualified instructor.
During the week, you will practise navigation techniques including visual fixes, waypoints, tidal calculations, and use of electronic navigation aids. You’ll also develop skills in meteorology, emergency response, and the practical application of Day Skipper theory. Each day includes on-water exercises and time in different harbours or anchorages, depending on weather and tides, to give real-world experience.
Living aboard the yacht allows you to fully immerse yourself in life at sea, practising day-to-day routines, sail changes, engine checks, and general seamanship. By the end of the course, students are competent to skipper a yacht in familiar waters by day and take responsibility for the vessel and crew under supervision.
The course departs from Port Hamble Marina in Hamble Village, positioned on the northern edge of the Solent. This sheltered yet varied area provides excellent conditions for practical training, with consistent winds and diverse tidal currents.
Sailing routes may include Cowes, Yarmouth, Beaulieu River, Lymington, The Needles & Alum Bay, Newtown Creek, Portsmouth, Wooton Creek, Osbourne Bay, Langstone Harbour, Chichester Harbour, and other anchorages along the South Coast. These locations provide students with experience in mooring, anchoring, navigation, and passage planning in realistic tidal conditions.
Accommodation is included onboard the yacht for all four nights. The yachts used are Cougar and Panther, Reflex 38’s, which are racing-style boats ideal for practical training. They accommodate up to 8 but carry a maximum of 5 students plus the instructor. Sleeping arrangements are in basic bunk-style cabins with access to a galley, toilet, sink, and shower.
Students are advised to bring a sleeping bag and pillow. Onboard living provides practical experience of daily routines, watchkeeping, and the domestic side of life at sea. If travelling from afar, booking accommodation the night before or after the course is recommended.
Students must have completed the RYA Competent Crew Course or have equivalent sailing experience. They should also have completed the RYA Day Skipper Theory course or possess knowledge to that level.
Recommended pre-course experience includes 5 days at sea, 100 miles sailed, 4 night hours, and 5 days living onboard a yacht. Students must be at least 16 years old and capable of living aboard in close quarters while taking part in practical sailing tasks.
We are dedicated to creating engaging sailing experiences for a growing community of seafaring adventurers. Our courses combine structured instruction with hands-on practice in a supportive and friendly environment. We aim to help students develop competence and confidence on board, from sail handling to navigation and emergency procedures, ensuring they gain lasting skills.
Our instructors have extensive experience racing and teaching across the UK, Channel Islands, France, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Malta, Turkey, and the Caribbean. They focus on helping students overcome fears, take charge of a watch, and become confident skippers capable of handling yachts safely. The course is designed to be both educational and enjoyable, giving students the skills to take the next steps in their sailing journey.
You must have achieved a competent crew level, either through the RYA Competent Crew course or equivalent experience. Additionally, completion of the Day Skipper Theory course is required to understand navigation, pilotage, and basic seamanship concepts.
Recommended pre-course sea time includes at least 5 days at sea, 100 miles sailed, and 4 nights onboard to provide a foundation for practical skills. Students should be comfortable with living aboard and handling routine yacht tasks.
Each day begins with a briefing and demonstration by the instructor, covering topics such as yacht handling, navigation, pilotage, and passage planning. Students rotate through practical roles including helm, lookout, sail handling, and deck duties.
Evenings are spent in marinas or anchorages, allowing time to consolidate skills and reflect on lessons learned. The structure balances practical on-water exercises with discussions on theory, emergency procedures, and watchkeeping.
The course operates in the Solent and nearby South Coast harbours, including Cowes, Yarmouth, Beaulieu River, Lymington, The Needles & Alum Bay, Newtown Creek, Portsmouth, Wooton Creek, Osbourne Bay, Langstone Harbour, and Chichester Harbour.
Weather and tides influence the daily route. Students gain experience navigating tidal waters, docking, anchoring, and passage planning in real-world conditions.
Students sail on Cougar and Panther, Reflex 38 yachts. These racing-style boats provide an excellent training platform for practical handling, sail trimming, and living aboard. The yachts sleep 8 but carry a maximum of 5 students plus instructor.
Facilities include bunk-style cabins, galley, sink, toilet, and shower. The yachts are well-suited to hands-on learning for aspiring skippers.
Yes, accommodation is provided for the full four nights. Living onboard allows students to practise watchkeeping, sail handling, and routine tasks necessary for managing a yacht.
Overnight stops are in marinas or anchorages, subject to weather and tides. This provides experience of real-life yacht operations.
All meals and refreshments on board are included. Students participate in meal preparation and learn practical skills for provisioning and cooking aboard a yacht.
Any meals or drinks ashore are not included and are the responsibility of the student.
Typically evening meals are eaten ashore.
Training covers personal safety equipment, man-overboard procedures, fire precautions, emergency equipment, and use of liferafts. Students practise drills to ensure readiness for real-life situations.
Instruction also includes safe handling of tows, distress communications, and the use of radiotelephones in emergencies.
Students should bring weather-appropriate clothing, swimwear, towels, personal items, and any required medication. A sleeping bag and pillow are required for bunk-style cabins.
Waterproofs and comfortable shoes are recommended. A detailed kit list is provided before the course.
Graduates can skipper yachts up to 49 feet by day in familiar waters and are prepared for coastal charters and further RYA training.
The course provides the foundation to gain sea miles, improve skills, and progress to more challenging passages or racing.
Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
From £430
Somerset and Dorset, United Kingdom
From £450
About the centre
Port Hamble Marina, Satchell Ln, Hamble-le-Rice, Southampton SO31 4QD
Found the whole experience very enlightening and educational
Operated by The London School of Sailing, a partner of adventuro.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
From £1020
Hampshire and Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
From £935
Hampshire and Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
From £765
Hampshire and Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
From £720