Conquer the Island 2027

Conquer the Island 2027 - Because no good yarn starts with “I decided to stay ashore”

We are bringin

g Conquer the Island back for 2027, making it bigger and offering more spaces to take part in this thrilling opportunity for newly qualified Little Ship Club Day Skipper and Yachtmaster shore-based students, alongside experienced members to put theory into high-stakes action with a full circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight.

The Isle has seen many competitive circumnavigation events, including  the world renowned Round the Island Race, and this special LSC event challenges members to apply their passage planning, tidal calculations, pilotage, and seamanship skills across an intense 8 to 9 hour coastal sail. Crews will be actively engaged in every stage of the voyage, adjusting sail trim, helming and navigating the most efficient line around the island.

The Historic Clockwise Route:  Our crews will sail clockwise around the Isle of Wight, following the direction taken by the original America’s Cup race in 1851, presenting unique tactical decisions from start to finish:

No Man’s Land Fort & Solent Transit: Setting off near to No Man’s Land Fort, crews chart a southerly course through the eastern Solent approaches, managing shipping lanes and setting up for the first tidal gate.

Bembridge Ledge & Sandown Bay: Proceeding past Bembridge Ledge into Sandown Bay, balancing coastal currents against open-water swell.

St Catherine's Point: Rounding the island's southernmost bastion, where the iconic 1838 lighthouse has guided mariners home for generations. Crews must navigate the aggressive tidal overfalls and eddies that form off the point.

South West island coast and The Needles Channel: Crews need to avoid hidden rocky ledges off this part of the coast, and then negotiate the dangerous Varvassi wreck off the Needles lighthouse, before sailing through the notorious Needles Channel with its surging currents, shallow banks, and dramatic chalk stacks, testing pilotage and helm control to the maximum.

Sprint to Victory: Returning through the protected yet tactically challenging waters of the Western Solent to cross the finish line by Prince Consort Buoy at Cowes.

Make no mistake: this passage is every bit as demanding as the Round the Island  race. Participating crews will face real world coastal navigation challenges, including commercial shipping lanes, strict tidal gates, shifting sea conditions, and continuous crew rotation.

Brand-New for 2027: The LSC Club Class & CTI Trophy

Introducing the Inaugural Little Ship Club CTI Race

For 2027, we are thrilled to launch the official LSC Club Class! This dedicated LSC racing section allows Little Ship Club yacht owners with a valid RYA/RORC YTC Handicap rating to compete in a Conquer the Island Race of their very own.

Whether you are competing on one of our matched charter yachts or bringing your own vessel with a valid YTC rating, Club Class turns the passage into a tactical showdown where seamanship, precise navigation, and tidal strategy earn you additional points to lift the inaugural CTI Cup.

Scoring Gates & Bonus Points System

In the LSC Club Class, raw boat speed is only part of the winning formula. To reward outstanding seamanship and navigational excellence, yachts will navigate four mandatory Scoring Gates around the Isle of Wight, The closer you get to the scoring gate, the more points you win! Speed isn’t everything, this where skill and precision matters enough to change the race results!

Gates will be published the night before the event and how to score will be explained in the crew briefing.

Gate 1 –  

Gate 2 –

Gate 3 –

Gate 4 –

Crown the Winner: Overall CTI Race Champion = Corrected YTC Elapsed Time Points + Gate Points. The inaugural trophy will be presented at the Island Sailing Club Saturday night!

Event Schedule & Itinerary (April 2027)

Week of April 14th – April 18th, 2027: The event follows a carefully structured 4-day plan to balance safety, rigorous coastal navigation, and lively social celebrations:

Wednesday 14th April 2027: 19:00 BST – Safety Briefing & Passage Prep

An evening safety briefing at the Little Ship Club London for all participants. Includes crew introductions, Skippers & Mates Q&A, safety briefing by the Race Officer and event briefing. There is then time for crews to speak to their skippers & first mates in a relaxed environment.

Friday 16th April 2027: 18:00 onwards – Crew Arrival

Crews will meet their skippers and First mates at the Castle Pub in Gosport, a rite of passage for any sailor frequenting the Solent.  Crews will have time to grab a bite to eat and an evening drink before retiring to their yacht.

Saturday 17th April 2027: Race Day – Timings TBC

• Morning call, deck prep, and safety brief

• Cast off from Gosport to line up near No Mans Land Fort.

• Official CTI Start! 8 to 9 hours of intense coastal sailing clockwise around the Isle of Wight.

• 18:00 – 19:00: Arrive in Cowes and berth at marina.

• Evening: Dinner and CTI Awards Ceremony at the Island Sailing Club, followed by live music and celebration at a local pub!

Sunday 18th April 2027: 10:30 – 16:00 – Homeward Cruise & Disembarkation

A relaxed morning breakfast in Cowes followed by a gentle morning cruise back across the Solent to Gosport. Crew disembark by 14:00. Afterwards, skippers refuel and return boats to Port Solent base.

The Fleet:

Prometheus Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410s

We are proud to continue our partnership with Prometheus Sailing, who are providing a high-performance matched fleet of Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410s  modern, fast, and exceptionally engaging and easy to handle 41-foot cruising yachts. This collaboration is built on a shared commitment to excellence, safety, and seamanship on the water.

Featuring twin wheels, twin rudders, a hard-chine hull, and walk-around side decks, the SO 410 offers outstanding stability, responsive helming, and effortless handling under sail. Below deck, a spacious 3-cabin layout and generous saloon ensure total comfort for all 8 crew members.

Limited Fleet Availability: We have up to six yachts allocated providing 36 individual crew spaces in total plus private member entries in Club Class. Places fill quickly, so early booking is essential!

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410 Layout:

Investment & What’s Included

Organised by members for members as a class room to cockpit challenge, this event offers exceptional value for money while supporting the Little Ship Club's core mission: helping sailors build confidence and get out on the water.

The equivalent fee for a charter boat place in a Round the Island Race is between £650 - £850 per person!

Student Class 2027 Entry Fee: To secure your berth on this premier coastal challenge, the entry fee is £385 per person (based on 6 crew per charter yacht).

What’s Included

·        Charter Hire

·        Berthing

·        Breakfast & Lunch on board Saturday

·        Equipment (life jacket and foul weather gear)

·        Official CTI 2027 Merch!

·        Sun Downer on arrival in Cowes

·        Dinner at Island Sailing Club

·        Access to Official CTI photographs

·        Potential of Sailing with one of our VIP skippers!

Club Class

You are invited to join the rest of the CTI fleet at The Castle Pub in Gosport on Friday evening, meet the new student members, share stories of races past and tips on how to manage when the toe rail touches the water!

The price for the Club class entry is £75 per person.

What's Included

·        Official CTI 2027 Merch!

·        Sun Downer on Arrival in Cowes

·        Dinner at Island Sailing Club

·        Access to official Photographs

·        Chance to win the inaugural LSC CTI Trophy

Land Lubbers

We know that racing around the Isle of Wight isn’t for everyone, or that some crew may want their friends and family to celebrate their achievements over dinner, so we are offering a Dinner only ticket and access waterside to meet the crews, skippers and first mates on their safe return back to port.

Dinner is priced at £50 per person

Kit & Equipment Guidelines

Safety and comfort are paramount when spending 8 to 9 hours on an open coastal passage. Lifejackets and waterproof foul weather gear (jackets & salopettes) are fully provided.

Personal Packing Checklist: What You Need to Bring:

·        Footwear: Non-marking deck shoes or sailing boots (shoes that can get wet and offer good grip).

·        Sleeping Gear: Warm sleeping bag and a compact pillow.

·        Layering: Warm thermal base layers, fleece mid-layers, and spare woollen socks (avoid cotton).

·        Head & Hands: Warm beanie hat, UV cap, and durable sailing gloves.

·        Night & Tech: Headtorch with red-light mode (for night navigation/deck work) and a waterproof phone pouch.

·        Hydration: Reusable water bottle / travel flask.

Selecting Your Skill Level at Checkout

Skippers must balance crew experience across each yacht to ensure maximum safety, fun, and competitive balance. When completing your booking, please select the skill level that best reflects your current sailing background:

Basic Level (Start Yachting Standard)

You have minimal or no prior sailing experience (perhaps one or two days on a yacht). You are getting familiar with yacht controls, rigging lines, sail trim, and helming in sheltered waters. Broadly aligns with the RYA Start Yachting course.

Intermediate Level (Competent Crew Standard)

You have spent time as an active crew member on several trips. You understand main control lines, can assist with hoisting/trimming, hold a course on the helm, and understand basic buoyage and wind directions. Broadly aligns with RYA Competent Crew.

Advanced Level (Day Skipper / Yachtmaster Standard)

You are an experienced sailor capable of taking an active role in navigation and vessel operations. Familiar with passage planning, tidal calculations, pilotage, and electronic/paper chart work. Broadly aligns with RYA Day Skipper or Yachtmaster Theory/Practical.

Club Class Racing Competitor (YTC Handicap Racer)

You are entering specifically to compete in the LSC Club Class Race. You are familiar with racing rules, YTC handicapping, tactical navigation, and fast sail adjustment under race conditions.

Registration & Club Details

Still Keen? Ready to claim your spot on the best adventure of 2027? Spaces are limited across our six charter yachts, and Club Class race slots are allocated on a first come, first-served basis.

Need to know more?  Join the Conquer the Island WhatsApp chat and ask the event organisers your questions.  Speak to Simon Kaye, Lewis McDonald, Leigh Gibson or Henry Bennet-Gough at the club about the event.

You Booked,  Congratulations! will receive email confirmation, join the chat, get involved and we will keep you updated on the event and announcements as we get closer to Race Day!

📸 Photography by Tom Holmes

⛵ Organised by Members for Members — Little Ship Club, Bell Wharf Lane, Upper Thames Street, London EC4R 3TB