Course Outline
What to Expect on an Elite Sailing Mile Builder
Our weekend mile builders are the perfect way to rack up offshore miles, experience new destinations, and sharpen your seamanship in a supportive, high-energy environment. Whether you are looking to build your confidence on the water or ticking off qualifying legs for higher qualifications, these fast-paced passages are designed to challenge and inspire you.
Details at a Glance
• Where It Begins: All our mile builders meet at Chatham Maritime Marina, where you’ll step on board and meet your crew.
• The Schedule: Trips typically run from Friday evening through to Sunday afternoon/evening. Exact timings vary depending on the specific route and tidal windows of the mile builder you choose.
• Small Crew Sizes: To ensure everyone gets maximum time on the helm and active deck experience, crew numbers are strictly limited to 5 or 6 people (depending on which yacht is scheduled).
• Accommodation: Staying onboard is included in your booking. Sole occupancy cabins are available to book for a small surcharge.
• Parking: Free parking is available on-site at Chatham Marina for the duration of your trip.
• Kit Hire: Premium wet weather gear is available for hire at just £7 per day, so you can stay warm and dry whatever the elements throw at us.
Practice Your Passage Planning & Skippering
These weekends aren't just about sitting back and watching the miles tick by! If you are currently working toward an RYA qualification, or already hold your Day Skipper (or higher) and want to put your skills to the test, let us know! We love giving ambitious sailors the opportunity to step up. Our professional instructors will get you actively involved in:
• Real-world passage planning and tidal calculations.
• Skippering a leg of the journey under expert supervision.
• Commanding watch systems and managing night passages.
Yachtmaster Pre-Requisites
Need to log those crucial skippered qualifying passages for your Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore exam? Many of our longer mile builders feature continuous passages of 60nm+. If you need to act as skipper for a qualifying leg to meet your RYA prerequisites, just make it known when booking so we can build it into the plan.
Ready to log some sea time? Check out our upcoming itineraries below and secure your berth!
What is an Elite Sailing Mile Builder?
You don’t need to be chasing a professional qualification to join us on a sailing mile builder. While these trips are an excellent training ground, they are ultimately designed for anyone who loves being out on the water, wants to build practical experience, or simply fancies sailing to exciting new destinations.
Whether you want to explore new coastlines, experience night sailing for the first time, or just enjoy a fantastic weekend away with a great crew, there is a mile builder for you.
Choose Your Adventure: From Social Weekends to Mile Crunching Passages
We offer a huge variety of trips depending on what you’re looking to get out of your time at sea:
- Destinations & Social Weekends: Looking for great sailing paired with fun ashore? Join us for our Burnham Balti Blast (featuring a legendary curry night ashore) or our London Pirate Passage, where you'll experience the unique thrill of sailing right up the historic River Thames.
- Coast & Country Explorations: Push a bit further afield with our mile-crunching trips exploring the beautiful East Coast, cruising down to the South Coast, or even crossing the channel to France.
- Serious Offshore Miles: For those specifically looking to tick off RYA milestones, many of our itineraries include continuous 60nm+ passages - perfect for logging the essential skippered qualifying legs needed for Yachtmaster exams.
What to Expect on Board
Our mile builders are a highly collaborative, hands-on experience from start to finish. You won’t just be a passenger; you’ll be an active and valued member of the crew.
- Life on Deck: Everyone gets stuck into running the boat. You’ll share helming, sail trim, navigation, watchkeeping, and everyday onboard life.
- Expert Guidance: You will sail alongside a highly experienced professional skipper. They are there to offer practical tips on boat handling, sail trim, and passage planning, helping you build your confidence in a supportive environment.
- The Routine: Trips kick off on Friday evening with a weather briefing, safety walk-through, and passage planning. Expect early starts to make the best of the tides, rewarding coastal sailing, and a fun atmosphere throughout the weekend.
