Channel Triangle Mile Building Sail
Starting from: £1397
Safe & Secure Checkout
Build confidence with miles and experience on these 7 day mile building trips in the English Channel. These 7 day trips are about getting the miles in. We will head West along the UK's south coast and south to the Channel Islands and/or France, effectively sailing a triangle. You should get at least 2 or 3 60mile passages and for those that want to there will be opportunities to have a go at skippering legs.
- Great sailing trip to gain lots of miles
- Opportunity to skipper a passage and experience night sailing
- Improve skills and confidence
Safe & Secure Checkout
Excellent equipment, safety and instruction
I have used First Class for most of my sailing training both theory and practical for over 12 years. I have also taken weekend sailing trips including a channel crossing and boat handling weekends as well as a Round the Island race. I have always found equipment, safety and instruction to be excellent.
David M
Verified Customer
These trips will start and finish in Shamrock Quay, 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. Where you go will obviously depend on the wind and tide, but the intention will be to do lots of sailing. There will also be some down time and opportunities to do a bit of exploring ashore
You will more than likely cross the busy shipping lanes. There will be some night sailing. You will keep watches. You will get plenty of tidal experience and passage planning will play a key role.
Of course the weather and wind may dictate that you head across the Channel on the first part of the trip. The itinerary is not fixed in advance.
The trip should get you about 300/400nm in you logbook.
5.0 based on 496 Happy Customers on Tripadvisor
RYA-certified sailing courses
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More Info on the Channel Triangle 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 Trip Details
Here’s a breakdown of the most important information about the Channel Triangle Sailing Trip:
Required Experience
- Competent Crew and above
- Best suited to those thinking about doing Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster
Duration
- 7 days
Experience Gained
- Experience that comes with sailing miles at sea.
- Night sailing.
- Crossing Shipping lanes.
- Entering and leaving unknown ports and the planning that goes with that.
- Opportunities to skipper passages
- 300-450nm
Building Confidence
- These trips are all about building confidence in your own abilities and learning about how a boat handles a variety of conditions
Get Started In 3 Easy Steps
We make going on the Channel Triangle Sailing Trip easy
Select A Date
Choose the dates we have available that suit you best.
Join the boat in Southampton
Cast off for plenty of sailing.
Become A First Class Sailor
With your newly acquired experience your knowledge will have improved quite a bit.
Channel Triangle Sailing Trip -
Complete Breakdown
Channel Triangle Sailing
These mile building sailing trips are not formal RYA courses but are aimed at improving your skills and building your experience and confidence and having fun.
There will be a friendly and experienced RYA Instructor on board.
There will be opportunity to skipper (with guidance if needed from the skipper) 60nm passages which will be of interest to anyone with a plan to become a Yachtmaster.
You will be expected to get involved in all aspects of sailing the boat including the cooking. There will be plenty of time to watch the world drift by and to explore ashore.
The boat will likely be a 40ft+ yacht.
It will have hot water and heating. Not all have showers but most days you will be able to use the showers ashore in a marina or local yacht club.
More Information
The price of the trip is includes insurance, fuel/gas, oilskins, all food on board apart from 1 evening meal on a 5 or 6 day trip and 2 evening meals on a 7 day trip. We can accommodate any special dietary requirements, be it vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten free, or allergies. Just let us know when you fill out your booking form.
The only additional costs are mooring fees. It depends on where you end up at night. Anchorages are free, buoys are usually very cheap and marinas cost. If you budgeted on between £50/£80 for the trip you should be fine.
We are fully insured but we would strongly advise that you get your own travel insurance from a company such as TopSail Insurance that specialise in maritime travel insurance.
Start and finish times
Join 8pm the evening before each trip. You can expect to get away before 3pm on the last day of each trip.
What Sailors Say About Us
5.0 based on 561 Happy Customers On Tripadvisor 
5.0 based on 323 Happy Customers On Google Reviews
Diligent and responsive company
I have just returned from First Class Sailing weekend crossing the English Channel. The instructor Steve is super knowledgeable, keen to share his expertise, and he has created a very positive atmosphere onboard. The yacht (Cascadeur) is good and well fit for the purpose. The company’s office is diligent and responsive, they have supplied all the information I needed ahead of the weekend.
Having tried other companies in Southampton and beyond, I now only use First Class Sailing for trips and formal courses.
Alexander E
Verified Customer
Instructor great communicator
Had an incredible time with First Class Sailling. From booking everything with Martin. To Graham our skipper and coach,not only an incredible communicator, but an amazing host. Cooking all the meals for the entire five days on the boat. Excellent training, incredible experience, amazing company with a wealth of information throughout. Cannot wait to expand my sailing adventures, thank you to you all.
Mario C
Verified Customer
Knowledgeable and calm instructor
First Class Sailing - First Class Experience. We had a really excellent skipper: Oli was highly knowledgeable and calm. Very comprehensive briefings and with a refreshing accommodation of the crew's feelings as well as technical and safety information. I wanted experience of UK coastal waters and challenging tides and currents and we certainly got exactly that. Highly recommended.
Ben T
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 Channel Triangle Sailing Trip
Get some great experience on this boat handling trip
- Develop skills and confidence
- Gain lots of miles
- Experience crossing the channel
Empowered to learn
Incredible experience. Incredible location. Some of the best sailing you will ever experience when learning. Our instructor, Alan, taught me an unbelievable amount about sailing when I had never crewed before. He empowered me to learn and experience things and I felt safe the whole time. His energy for sailing was infectious and the whole experience was amazing. Can't recommend him or first class sailing enough
Chris B
Verified Customer
Ready to go on a Channel Triangle Sailing Trip
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