March 29 – April 6 2025 | $4995
Come and cruise the English Channel; known for its strong tides, quaint seaside towns, and bustling sailing community. This trip will involve a series of day sails visiting various ports along the English coastline, before putting your newfound knowledge of sailing Sea Dragon into action with an overnight passage to Ireland.
Our trip begins in the Solent, a well-loved cruising ground within the UK yachting scene, where we’ll have to navigate complex tides and a unique density of traffic both large and small. Heading west, you’ll learn the ropes on passages of around 40 nautical miles each, enjoying active days out on the water before calling into a new harbour or anchorage each evening. Here you’ll get the chance to explore winding streets and beaches, perhaps grab some fish and chips or sample a local cider.
Then, waving England goodbye, we’ll settle into a watch system to take us through the night, on standby to tack or gybe around the plentiful fishing boats as we sail around 200 nautical miles over to the Emerald Isle. Kinsale is the start point of the famous Wild Atlantic Way (perhaps an excellent adventure for your onward journey…) and is heralded as the gourmet capital of Ireland – surely an excellent place for a final crew meal together!
All meals on board Sea Dragon during this Atlantic crossing are delicious and vegetarian, with the addition of fish if we catch any along the way.
This is not a trip for the infirm or physically unfit – you MUST be able to go up and down the companionway and move safely about the boat while in rough conditions, have good balance, and be in good health. Please contact us with any health questions or if you answer “YES” to any of the questions on our health questionnaire prior to signing up for the trip!
Ardent Training is offering a discount on the RYA Day Skipper Theory online course to anyone signed up for this trip. If you’re interested in taking the course, let us know when you sign up and we can give you the discount code!
KEY POINTS
- Distance: 400 nautical miles
- Type: Coastal cruising
- Cost: $4995
- Dates: March 29 – April 6, 2025 (9 days, 8 nights)
- Start: Portsmouth, UK
- End: Kinsale, Ireland
For more details on the trip, please explore the drop down menus at the bottom of the page.
Tentative Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Portsmouth, UK
Arrive at Sea Dragon between 1500-1700.
Day 2: Boat/safety briefings
We’ll spend the day going through safety/boat briefings, getting well orientated with Sea Dragon. By the evening we’ll have moved across the Solent to Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
Days 3-6: Set sail
Explore the coastline of the English Channel, timing passages with the fair tide through channels or around headlands. Visit a new harbour each evening, or perhaps drop anchor in a bay.
Days 7-8: On route to Ireland
Experience a watch system and the beauty of night sailing during this passage around Land’s End and across to Kinsale. This colourful town offering seafood, historic forts, mead distilleries and more has recently been named one of Ireland’s most beautiful by Conde Nast Traveller.
Day 9: Depart Sea Dragon
Plan to depart the boat by 0900.
The deposit is only $500. It’s non refundable if you back out, but if we cancel or modify the trip we are happy to return your money or apply it to a different voyage. Please review the Crew Contract for full details of this trip. The remaining balance is due 60 days before the trip begins.
If you have any questions or queries please get in contact via the “Contact Us” page below. You can also schedule a call with us too.
Contact Us
– 8 nights accommodation on Sea Dragon
– All meals (vegetarian), snacks, and drinks on board
– Sailing instruction
– Safety equipment and foul weather gear
Contribution does not include:
– Transportation to Southampton or from Kinsale
– Additional nights spent ashore
– Personal expenses while in port
Given the time of year, we are likely to experience a few sunny days and a few rainy ones too! It could get quite chilly on the overnight sail. Take a look at our Temperate packing list.
Ocean Village Marina is a 30 minute taxi ride from Southampton Airport, a 2hr train from London Gatwick Airport, or a 3hr train from London Heathrow Airport.
Cork Airport is a 30 minute taxi ride or bus from Kinsale.
All Crew members are responsible for their own passports and any necessary visas. Please look into the specific type of visa you need for arriving at these destinations by sea, or contact us directly to discuss.