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The University of Southampton
Southampton Sport

Yachting

The University of Southampton has expanded their fleet to include a Sigma 38 yacht to allow students, staff and the general public to get onto the water. The yacht, named Flying Formula, is category 2 coded for up to 10 people and is based at Town Quay Marina near the Red Funnel Red Jet terminal.

The boat is setup for RYA Yacht Cruising courses as well as Skippered Charter and Bareboat charter and can also be accessed by staff on the evening yacht trips. The University is very keen to encourage the entire community to get onto the water and experience what Southampton is uniquely known for. For more information please get in contact by emailing: watersports@soton.ac.uk 

Yachting Taster sessions are offered to all and take place for half days sessions as well as week nights, please look further into the website for dates and costs.

For student and staff bareboat charter we require an ICC or day skipper qualification. An induction will be given to those wishing to take the boat out.

For external public bareboat charter we would require a yacht master qualification coupled with a boat induction.

 

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At Sea
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Looking Aft
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On Deck
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Sunset
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Sunny Day
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Deck

Yacht Tasters

If you are not sure whether you will like Yachting or not, please do consider trying one of our 3hr Yachting experiences.  Our Instructors deliver these sessions so you may get as involved as you like, or simply sit down and enjoy the ride onboard the University Yacht, Flying Formula.  The experience will start with a Safety Briefing from the Instructor and you will leave the Marina to explore Southampton Water where you are likely to pass the berth that the Titanic sailed from as well as some of the Cruise Ships that may be alongside. All sessions run from Town Quay Marina and take place on Friday mornings.  All safety equipment is provided.  Morning sessions start at 09:00 and will have you back at Town Quay by 12:00.

Date (2023)Time
17th February 09:00 - 12:00
17th March 09:00 - 12:00
14th April 09:00 - 12:00
26th May 09:00 - 12:00
9th June 09:00 - 12:00
7th July 09:00 - 12:00
15th September 09:00 - 12:00
13th October 09:00 - 12:00
10th November 09:00 - 12:00

 Cost

Membership TypePrice of Course
Southampton Sport Member £22.00
Mayflower Member, Sports Pass and Non-Member £40.00

Student Yacht Sessions

If you are a student and you would like to get on water there are a couple of options:

If you hold a Day skipper sail practical qualification or an equivalent ICC sail qualification you are eligible to have an induction and become a student skipper.  Additional tickets required: First aid and VHF.  Inductions are run on request by emailing watersports.

If you want to go for a sail but do not have any qualifications please contact the Southampton University Sailing Club who organise weekly trips. Please contact the student club direct via their website.

Staff Yacht Sessions

Please note these sessions are for University of Southampton staff and their families only.

Each trip will consist of a maximum of 8 people.

You will meet at Town Quay at 18:00.

Date (2023)Time
13th April 18:00 - 20:30
27th April 18:00 - 20:30
4th May 18:00 - 20:30
18th May 18:00 - 20:30
8th June 18:00 - 20:30
15th June 18:00 - 20:30
6th July 18:00 - 20:30
13th July 18:00 - 20:30
17th August 18:00 - 20:30
24th August 18:00 - 20:30
14th September 18:00 - 20:30
21st September 18:00 - 20:30

Costs:

 Price (per person)
University of Southampton Staff £10
UoS Staff Friends & Family £15

Sailability Sessions

Sailability sessions are all about getting more people on the water, aimed at those who may find a regular yacht course a challenge.  With a small ratio, the instructors can ensure a safe and pleasant trip on board a yacht.  

 

Date (2023)Time
17th February 13:00 - 15:00
17th March 13:00 - 15:00
14th April 13:00 - 15:00
26th May 13:00 - 15:00
9th June 13:00 - 15:00
7th July 13:00 - 15:00
15th September 13:00 - 15:00
13th October 13:00 - 15:00
10th November 13:00 - 15:00


 Cost

Membership TypePrice of Course
Southampton Sport Member Free
Mayflower Member, Sports Pass and Non-Member £10

RYA Competent Crew

We are proud to offer a 5-day course as well as a combined 3-day and 2-day Competent Crew course. Please note that the 3-day Competent Crew course specifies that you will need to have completed the 2-day course first in order to book and take part in the 3-day course. 

The 2-day course is an introduction to yacht sailing. You will learn skills like hoisting, sailing and helming a yacht. These two days are day sailing from the Town Quay in Southampton, which means you will return to Southampton each night. 

The 3-day course is where you will take the skills you have learnt from the 2-day competent crew course and put them into practice on a sailing adventure, where you will spend two evenings in different ports around the Solent. 

The 5-day course is for beginners and those who would like to become active crew members rather than just passengers.  You will experience living on board and really get to know the boat.  Virtually all of the course is hands on.  You are the crew- without you the sails won't go up and the boat won't be steered.

By the end of this course you should be able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day duties on board. You should also have visited some interesting places and had an enjoyable holiday.  If you are not sure about attending a full 5 day course, you may choose to opt for the 2 day Start Yachting Course and then attend a three day conversion course to convert the Start Yachting course to the Competent Crew course.  Conversion courses are run on a demand basis.

 

Dates (2023)Courses
21st January - 22nd January Competent Crew - Part 1 (2 Days)
28th January - 30th January Competent Crew - Part 2 (3 Days)
11th February - 12th February Competent Crew - Part 1 (2 Days)
18th February - 20th February Competent Crew - Part 2 (3 Days)
4th March - 5th March Competent Crew - Part 1 (2 Days)
11th March - 13th March Competent Crew - Part 2 (3 Days)
8th April - 9th April Competent Crew - Part 1 (2 Days)
29th April - 1st May Competent Crew - Part 2 (3 Days)
20th May - 21st May Competent Crew - Part 1 (2 Days)
27th May - 29th May Competent Crew - Part 2 (3 Days)
3rd June - 4th June Competent Crew - Part 1 (2 Days)
10th June - 12th June Competent Crew - Part 2 (3 Days)
19th June - 23rd June Competent Crew (5 Days)
8th July - 9th July Competent Crew - Part 1 (2 Days)
15th July - 17th July Competent Crew - Part 2 (3 Days)
24th July - 28th July Competent Crew (5 Days)
7th August - 11th August Competent Crew (5 Days)
19th August - 20th August Competent Crew - Part 1 (2 Days)
26th August - 28th August Competent Crew - Part 2 (3 Days)
4th September - 8th September Competent Crew (5 Days)
16th September - 17th September Competent Crew - Part 1 (2 Days)
23rd September - 25th September Competent Crew - Part 2 (3 Days)
30th September - 1st October Competent Crew - Part 1 (2 Days)
7th October - 9th October Competent Crew - Part 2 (3 Days)
28th October - 29th October  Competent Crew - Part 1 (2 Days)
4th November - 6th November Competent Crew - Part 2 (3 Days)
25th November - 26th November Competent Crew - Part 1 (2 Days)
2nd December - 4th December Competent Crew - Part 2 (3 Days)

 

Cost

Membership TypeCompetent Crew (5 Days)Competent Crew - Part 1 (2 Days)Competent Crew - Part 2 (3 Days)
Southampton Sport Member £330 £132

£198

Mayflower Member, Sports Pass and Non-Member £600 £240

£360

Included in the course fee:

  • Certificates upon successful completion
  • Cruising Scheme Logbook for Competent Crew and Day Skipper Courses - available for purchase for other courses.
  • Use of lifejackets and lifelines
  • Morning breakfasts, snack lunches and tea/coffee/soft drinks
  • Two evening meal on board (5 day courses)/One evening meal onboard (3 Day Courses)
  • Boat fuel

Not included in the course fee:

  • Other evening meals 
  • Mooring fees for berths other than Southampton Town Quay Marina
  • To book click on the link below to access our online booking system

RYA Day Skipper

We also offer a 5-day course as well as a combined 3-day and 2-day Day Skipper course. 

The 2-day Day Skipper course is an introduction to skippering on yachts. You will learn skills like sailing onto mooring buoys and parking the yacht in the marina. These two days are day sailing from the Town Quay in Southampton, which means you will return to Southampton each night. 

The 3-day course is where you will take the skills you have learnt on from the Day Skipper Theory course, and put them into practice on a sailing adventure. You will be completing a passage plan with things like 'course to steer' and tidal stream calculations. You also do a pilotage into a new port using bearings, leading lights and tidal height calculations. You will spend two evenings in different ports around the Solent.

The 5-day course is for aspiring skippers with some yachting experience and basic navigation and sailing skills.

Learn to skipper a short passage with the instructor on hand to give advice and encouragement and ensure your safety. Experience being in charge, taking credit when it all goes well and being responsible when it doesn't.

Before this course, if you are not sure that your sailing is up to speed, a good way to learn is on an RYA Level 2 dinghy course. This will teach you to sail around a course and control the boat's speed.

If it's help with navigation that you need, you should take our Day Skipper shore based course.  Expected pre-course experience to attend this course is 5 days sailing, 100 miles, 4 nights on board a sailing yacht.  Theory to the level of Day Skipper shore based is assumed and it is recommended that you attend the Day Skipper Shore based course before attending this course.

Dates (2023)Courses
21st January - 22nd January Dayskipper - Part 1 (2 Days)
28th January - 30th January Dayskipper - Part 2 (3 Days)
11th February - 12th February Dayskipper - Part 1 (2 Days)
18th February - 20th February Dayskipper - Part 2 (3 Days)
4th March - 5th March Dayskipper - Part 1 (2 Days)
11th March - 13th March Dayskipper - Part 2 (3 Days)
8th April - 9th April Dayskipper - Part 1 (2 Days)
29th April - 1st May Dayskipper - Part 2 (3 Days)
8th May - 12th May Dayskipper (5 Days)
20th May - 21st May Dayskipper - Part 1 (2 Days)
27th May - 29th May Dayskipper - Part 2 (3 Days)
3rd June - 4th June Dayskipper - Part 1 (2 Days)
10th June - 12th June Dayskipper - Part 2 (3 Days)
19th June - 23rd Dayskipper (5 Days)
8th July - 9th July Dayskipper - Part 1 (2 Days)
15th July - 17th Dayskipper - Part 2 (3 Days)
24th July - 28th July Dayskipper (5 Days)
7th August - 11th August Dayskipper (5 Days)
19th August - 20th August Dayskipper - Part 1 (2 Days)
26th August - 28th August Dayskipper - Part 2 (3 Days)
4th September - 8th September Dayskipper (5 Days)
16th September - 17th September Dayskipper - Part 1 (2 Days)
23rd September - 25th September Dayskipper - Part 2 (3 Days)
30th September - 1st October Dayskipper - Part 1 (2 Days)
7th October - 9th October Dayskipper - Part 2 (3 Days)
28th October - 29th October Dayskipper - Part 1 (2 Days)
4th November - 6th November Dayskipper - Part 2 (3 Days)
25th November - 26th November Dayskipper - Part 1 (2 Days)
2nd December - 4th December Dayskipper - Part 2 (3 Days)

 

Cost

Membership TypeDay Skipper (5 Days)Day Skipper - Part 1 (2 Days)Day Skipper- Part 2 (3 Days)
Southampton Sport Member £330 £132 £198
Mayflower Member, Sports Pass and Non-Member £600 £240 £360

 

RYA Coastal Skipper

A course for those with considerable knowledge of sailing and navigation wanting to undertake coastal passages by day and night. Each trainee will skipper more challenging passages under the guidance of the instructor.

Prerequisites:

Days at Sea: 15

Miles: 300

Night Hours: 8

Days as Skipper: 2 

RYA Coastal Skipper Theory Certificate

Date (2023)Courses
17th April - 21st April Coastal Skipper (5 Days)
16th October - 20th October Coastal Skipper (5 Days)

 

Membership TypePrice
Southampton Sport Member £330
Mayflower Member, Sports Pass, Non-Member £600

Yachtmaster Prep

Our RYA Yachtmaster Prep course aims to refine your existing skills and abilities as a skipper and sailor. We will assess and work on skippering and navigational techniques, close quarter sailing skills, man overboard recovery, pilotage, passage planning and much more. At the start of the week the instructor will assess your abilities, strengths and weaknesses, through coaching and practice during the five days these areas will be strenghtened. You will be debriefed on a daily basis and through discussion any areas which require improvement will be the focus. With practice and thorough preparation, you should be able to relax sufficiently to let your skills shine through any exam nerves.

Date (2023)Courses
20th March - 24th March Yachtmaster Prep (5 Days)
13th November - 17th November Yachtmaster Prep (5 Days)

Prices:

Membership TypePrice
Southampton Sport Member £330
Mayflower Member, Sports Pass, Non-Member £600

Skippered Charter:

Skippered charters available for family/friends, special occasions, corporate team building onboard our yacht for up to 8 clients plus skipper for day sailing. Our skippers have in-depth knowledge of the Solent and beyond so depending on your needs, they know where to go!  

We can offer a day of sailing in the Solent area. We set sail from Town Quay in Southampton. We will hoist the sails near to Mayflower part and start to sail up Southampton Water towards Calshot Spit. Some crews like to have a picnic lunch on the yacht at anchor. Depending on the weather, the skipper will suggest the best location for an anchorage. Often, we use Osbourne Bay what is over looked by Queen Victoria’s Osbourne house.

An alternative to lunch at anchor would be mooring up at West Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Mooring fees are not included in the charter and will be approximately £30 for a short term stay.  Once in West Cowes you are welcome to eat in a restaurant of your choosing.

In the afternoon we will once again set sail across the Central Solent, back into Southampton Water and north to Town Quay to finish your charter at 16:30.

 

Membership Type Price per day 9:30-16:30 
Southampton Sport Member £260
Mayflower Member, Sports Pass, Non-Member £460

Bareboat Charter For Flying Formula:

The standard price for our bareboat charter is based on a half day session. For our range of prices please see the table below. 

Minimum Qualifications required:

 

SkipperMinimum Qualification
UoS Students & Staff RYA Day Skipper Practical, First Aid & RYA SRC
Public RYA Yachtmaster, First Aid & RYA SRC


A member of our team will perform an induction before the boat is released for charter. Practical ability will be assessed during the induction and our staff reserve the right to decline your request to charter. 

For condition of charter, please see our Yacht Charter Agreement

Membership Type

Skipper

Induction

Charge Per use

(9am-3pm)

Charge for 24hr Day

(including Overnight)

Deposit
Southampton Sport Member £50 £160 £320

£500

(£1000

Racing)

Mayflower Member, Sports Pass, Non-Member £80 £300 £600
Southampton University Sailing Club Member   £80 £160

A deposit will be taken at the time of booking. This will be taken off a card and then returned once the boat has been checked by a member of staff.

Course Cancellations/Transfers

We retain the right to cancel a date and transfer your booking or offer you a refund if the weather is unsuitable to run the course on the basis of health and safety. As part of this decision we will be looking at wind, temperature and sea state. Where possible we will give you 24 hours’ notice when a clear and accurate weather forecast comes through.

On the rare occurrence of staff sickness we will endeavour to cover the staff shortage and continue to run the course. This would also be grounds for a refund or date transfer.

For most of our watersports courses we have a minimum ratio of 1:3. Where possible we will always endeavour to run a course but if we are below ratio we may have to transfer you onto a future booking.

 

The bookee cancelling the booking

Over 7 days before the course: We are happy to offer a full refund or transfer your booking to another date upon request.

Over 48 hours before the course: We will give a full refund upon the presentation of a current doctor’s note.

Less than 48 hours before the course: We are not able to offer a refund

Please note that the time period stated refers to start of the day, not the start of the course.  All refunds are limited to course fees only.  If you book local accommodation, you may choose to take out cancellation/holiday insurance.

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