Easter is the moment the sailing season truly begins. The evenings are lighter, the Solent feels alive again, and a long Bank Holiday weekend makes time on the water easier to plan. In 2026, Easter Sunday falls on 5 April, with Good Friday (3 April) and Bank Holiday...

Night sailing is one of the most valuable skills an offshore sailor can develop, yet it is often the point where confidence is tested the most. Once daylight fades, familiar waters feel different, navigation becomes more disciplined, and teamwork on board takes on...

For sailors looking to accelerate experience, log serious offshore miles, and develop real passage-making confidence, few opportunities compare to a delivery voyage from Bergen to Portsmouth. This six-day offshore passage aboard a Challenger 72 yacht is built around...

There’s a particular moment each year when sailors in the UK start looking south. The days are short, the light is flat, and sailing becomes an exercise in layers, head torches, and hot drinks rather than warmth and freedom. Boats are winterised, sails are stacked...

A Guest Article from the Hallberg-Rassy Owners Association From time to time, sailors who train or cruise with First Class Sailing also contribute thoughtful writing to owner associations and sailing groups, sharing practical experience and reflections that go beyond...

The Guide is rarely wrong on matters of galactic significance. It may occasionally misplace a planet, underestimate the danger of Vogons, or describe Earth as “mostly harmless,” but on the subject of coastlines it displays impeccable judgement. In Douglas Adams’ The...

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has confirmed its updated exam fees for 2026. These fees apply across the Yachtmaster qualification scheme, radio certification, partial re-exams and commercial endorsements, reflecting routine adjustments to the cost of...

Choosing between classroom navigation courses vs online navigation courses is less about which format is “best” in theory and more about how sailors learn, how quickly confidence needs to build, and how much instructor input is wanted when chartwork gets complicated....

The world of offshore sailing offers few experiences as memorable as taking part in a major organised event. Two very different events are the ARC Rally (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) and the RORC Round Britain & Ireland Race — two iconic passages that attract...