Conquer the Island 2026

Opportunity for all the Clubs Day Skipper and Yacht Master-shorebased students to practice what they have learned on a sailing trip following the route of the world famous Round the Island Race.

Crews will be encouraged to help plan, review tide's and weather and attempt to plot the most efficient route possible, rounding the Isle of Wight. With a break from tradition, you will sail clockwise around the island. Starting your route at Pince Consort and heading East, passing Gilkicker before transiting Bembridge Ledge, then on past Sandown, making your way to Saint Catherine’s Point, an iconic lighthouse guiding sailors safely home for generations. Lining your vessel up and heading toward the notorious Needles Channel, you will make your way back into the protected waters of the Western Solent and crossing the line at the Prince Consort Buoy to finish!

Make no mistake - This is every bit as challenging as the real race. We will have commercial traffic, tidal gates and different sea states to deal with.

Draft Plan:

Wednesday Evening:

Safety brief, Team announcements and meet the Skippers and First Mates.

Friday Afternoon:

Skipper's & their Mate's will collect the boats from their base at Port Solent, and move them to Gosport which is more convenient to collect crew and provision. Once crews have embarked onward to Cowes to tie up for the evening (this may involve some night navigating!)

Saturday:

An early start to catch the tide at a virtual line just north of Cowes and head around the island, for those wishing to practice their VHF skills we will be using CH 77 to keep all boats aligned. Voyage will take approx 9 hrs. We will have supplies on board for a light lunch/snacks and hot drinks to keep ourselves energised. We can also practice crew rotation based on the amount of time we will be at sea. After we will tie up back in West Cowes and have a dinner/award ceremony at the Island Sailing Club, maybe catch a live band at the Anchor after!

Sunday:

We will look to have a leisurely sail back to Gosport where crew can disembark, we will also refuel and head back up to Port Solent to hand the boats back.

The Boats:

For this extra special event we have partnered with Prometheus Sailing who have made available their fleet of matched Yachts. These are modified Jeaneau Sun Odyssey 410's-a modern 41ft performance cruiser, coded for up to 10 crew. We however will stick to 8 crew, this will give us plenty of space onboard plus everyone will have a job to do-No rail meat here!!!

We have up to four Yachts at our disposal, 24 spaces in total so be sure to book early!

Layout:

The Costs;

Those who wish to take on this challenge and potentially open to door to a life on the high seas and high adventure there unfortunately is a small price to pay!

To secure your place, there will be a fee of £230 PP based on 8 people on the boat.

Additional shared costs Fuel, berthing and boat supplies to be settled at the end with your individual skipper

Costs onshore are to be settled by individuals.

This is a not for profit trip, drawn up by members for members. This is a fundamental aim of the Little Ship Club where we all believe in enabling people to sail and experience the amazing experiences that are for the taking on the water.