We offer sailing courses throughout the year, including in the colder months. It’s possible to choose a course that takes place over 5 days. Or perhaps you might opt for a 7 day mile building trip in the Channel? The point is, any one of our courses is a break from your daily life, so can be viewed as a winter sailing holiday.
Just like a summer sailing holiday you will get some great sailing, see some interesting harbours and coastal towns. Taking our courses as a winter sailing holiday means the water will be much less crowded with a considerably smaller number of other vessels about, making it feel a bit more remote and making it easier to get into marinas at night.
It can be wilder. It can be invigorating. It might be windier. You might wake up to ice or even snow on the decks. You will get rosier cheeks… and as long as you are wearing the right clothing a winter sailing holiday is a lot fun and can be very rewarding.
There is a choice of activities to choose from that make for a fun and adventurous winter sailing holiday. An RYA course during which you will stay within the confines of the Solent, a 7 day mile building Channel Triangle that will see you go further afield and out into the English Channel, or a selection of weekend activities like a Heavy Weather Sailing weekend, a mile building trip to Weymouth or France and back.
Our Principal, Charlie Tulloch is a firm believe that a couple of days on a boat does to the mind and soul what it takes 10 days on a beach to do. Here’s what we offer in a little more detail.
Winter sailing holidays
Sail to Weymouth and Back in a Weekend
This is a fantastic short break where you sail with us to the picturesque town of Weymouth in Dorset over a weekend. You will get the chance to build miles (120+ nautical miles), experience a 60 mile passage and practise your night sailing skills.
This suits anyone from recently qualified Competent Crews to those looking to get 60 mile passages as skipper for Yachtmaster level.
Channel Triangle Mile Building Sail
This 7 day winter sailing holiday is the perfect way to build your sailing confidence. It’s a week-long mile building adventure in the English Channel which starts and finishes in Southampton. The plan will be to go West and to go South. You may well go to places like Weymouth, Brixham or Dartmouth, Channel Islands such as Alderney and Guernsey, Cherbourg – all depending on the wind and tides.
Heavy Weather Sailing Weekend in the Solent
This heavy weather sailing course takes place in the Solent starting out from Southampton. The weekend provides safe training in heavy weather sailing techniques for inshore sailors who are looking to extend their offshore and rough weather sailing knowledge in the winter months.
RYA Competent Crew Course
Ideal for beginners, this course is an excellent practical introduction to sailing. It is the perfect starting point if you have done little or no sailing before or have spent a week or two sailing with friends in the UK or abroad. It takes place over 5 days, or 2 weekends. It’s an ideal winter break from the norm.
More on winter sailing
If you have any questions that we don’t answer below about sailing in the winter, please contact our team for chat.
What to wear for winter sailing?
It’s common sense of course, but you will need to wrap up warmer for winter sailing holidays. What feels cold on land will often feel significantly colder on the water due to the wind chill. Thermal trousers and thick fleece tops that can trap the warmth effectively are a must, and good quality outer layers and waterproofs are essential.
Bring gloves, wooly hat, and possibly put on two pairs of socks rather than one. Depending on the temperature, you might also want to bring hat and neck protection. Despite it being winter, sunglasses will be needed.
Is winter sailing safe?
You will always be in safe and qualified hands with First Class Sailing. Book a winter sailing holiday with us, and you have the peace of mind in knowing that you’re travelling with one of the UK’s leading sailing schools. Our sailing courses take place all year round, and we have an excellent reputation.
The bottom line is you are going to be sailing in winter with a team of friendly and knowledgeable instructors. We are an approved RYA training centre.
