Discover the benefits of adventure sailing trips and why it’s good for you. Adventure sailing trips offer more than just a holiday — they provide a unique opportunity for personal growth and exploration. In this blog, we’ll explore the transformative power of sailing trips and why they’re worth considering for your next adventure.   Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone For many, the idea of sailing into unknown waters can be intimidating particularly if you’ve never sailed before. However, stepping outside your comfort zone is essential for personal development. Adventure sailing trips chal ..read more

    Are you considering setting sail but unsure whether to opt for a tiller vs. steering wheel on a sailing yacht? At First Class Sailing, we offer both unique experiences, each with its own set of advantages. Let’s navigate through the differences between these two steering mechanisms and explore the pros of each to help you make an informed decision for your next sailing trip. Tiller vs. Steering Wheel – Understanding the Basics Before we delve into the pros of each, let’s clarify the fundamental distinctions between a tiller and a steering wheel: Tiller: A tiller is a simple leve ..read more

Embarking on the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award is a transformative journey, and at First Class Sailing, we are excited to offer a unique and enriching experience that goes beyond the ordinary. Imagine earning your Gold Award while sailing the seas on the iconic 1908 classic yacht, Golden Vanity. Here are 6 reasons why you should choose Golden Vanity for your DofE Gold Award: Historic Sailing Experience Step on-board Golden Vanity, a classic wooden yacht with a rich history originally crafted for the renowned artist Arthur Briscoe. Life Skills Development Our residential at sea programme isn’t ..read more

    In the news First Class Sailing is thrilled to announce an exciting and enriching opportunity for young adventurers to embark on a residential at sea as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. Set aboard the iconic 1908 classic yacht, Golden Vanity, this programme promises a perfect blend of adventure, teamwork, and skill development.     Understanding the significance of diverse and challenging experiences in shaping the personal growth of students, First Class Sailing has curated a program that not only aligns with the values of the Duke of Edinburgh Award but al ..read more

    Sailing in heavy weather can be daunting for new or inexperienced sailors, so training and preparation is key. Below you can find a definition of heavy weather sailing, followed by a handful of tips and techniques. If you wish to gain confidence, then we recommend taking our Heavy Weather Sailing weekend training course.   What is considered heavy weather sailing?   There is no absolute definition of heavy weather sailing. Instead, heavy weather sailing is considered to be rough weather conditions at sea that are challenging or dangerous for the vessel and its crew. Hea ..read more

    This year, we acknowledge and honour the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) as it reaches a significant milestone – 200 years of the RNLI service on the 4th March 2024. At First Class Sailing, we extend our sincere congratulations to an organisation that has played a pivotal role in maritime safety. The RNLI: A Legacy of Lifesaving Founded in 1824, the RNLI has been a steadfast presence on our coasts, with lifeboat crews and lifeguards saving over 144,000 lives to date. As a charity funded by voluntary donations, the RNLI stands out as a unique and crucial rescue organisa ..read more

    Sailing from Falmouth to the Scilly Isles is a popular route if you want to explore these beautiful islands off the coast of Cornwall. In fact, if you want to do it in style, why not do it with us on our sailing holiday from Falmouth to the Isles of Scilly?   But just how long will it take to sail from Falmouth to the Scilly Isles?   It can take between six to twelve hours to sail from Falmouth to the Scilly Isles, but it will entirely depend on factors including weather and tide. If you do the trip on our sailing holiday we may stop over for the night at the beautiful ..read more

    One of the prerequisites for taking the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore qualification is having a valid first aid certificate. First aid at sea is an essential skill, as in the unlikely event of a medical emergency, prompt action and first aid knowledge can save lives.   So, which first aid certificates are valid for a Yachtmaster qualification?   Your first choice and default qualification should be the RYA First Aid Course. It’s a one-day course that we offer in Southampton and London. The course is specifically tailored for the unique challenges of ad ..read more

    To take the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore exams you need to have successfully sailed specific miles, of which half should be in tidal waters. Offshore requires experience of 2,500 miles, and Coastal requires 800 miles, therefore tidal miles of 1,250 and 400 should have been logged respectively.   The Yachtmaster scheme is world recognised and highly regarded as a qualification, so it’s important the integrity of it is maintained. If a Yachtmaster had never experienced sailing in tidal waters and found themselves having to sail in tidal waters, they would struggle. It ..read more

Whilst most sailors will take our RYA courses on boats belonging to First Class Sailing, it is also possible to take Day Skipper on your own boat with our instructors. There are some things to consider including the safety equipment you have on board: here’s how it works. Doing Day Skipper on your own boat You will need to put aside five days to complete Day Skipper on your own boat, but they don’t necessarily need to be consecutive. The days can be spread into a group of two days and another of three days if it’s easier for you. Ideally, we will go to a different marina or harbour or anchorag ..read more