5 & 7 Day Milebuilding Trips
Our milebuilding trips are designed to help you gain valuable offshore sailing experience in a supportive and purposeful environment. These trips are not RYA courses; instead, they offer hands-on sailing adventures where you’ll participate in longer passages, sail through the night, plan routes, manage watches, and take on greater responsibilities as a skipper.
Whether you’re aiming for your RYA Yachtmaster certification, preparing for a Coastal Skipper qualification, or simply looking to expand your skills as a sailor, these trips are a fantastic way to build confidence and accumulate sea miles while working as part of a dynamic crew.
What to Expect from a Milebuilding Week
Each trip is unique, influenced by factors such as weather, the crew’s experience level, and shared objectives. You’ll be involved in the planning process and take on real responsibilities, all while sailing aboard our 50ft training yacht, a spacious, capable, and well-suited to longer offshore passages.
Typical elements include:
- Coastal and offshore passage planning
- Tidal routing and weather strategy
- Night sailing with a watch system
- Handling a yacht in various sea conditions
- Entering unfamiliar harbours under pressure
- Skippering a 60nm qualifying passage (optional; must be pre-booked)
- Logging between 250 and 500 nautical miles, depending on conditions and the chosen route
Routes may include hops along the South Coast, Channel crossings to France or the Channel Islands, or heading west toward Devon and Cornwall.
As we will be spending a significant amount of time onboard, food will be provided.
5 Days vs 7 Days – Which Should You Choose?
Both trips provide the opportunity to cover longer distances and accumulate significant mileage.
5-Day Milebuilder
- Ideal for focused offshore sailing
- Potential to complete a skippered qualifying passage (conditions permitting)
- Less time but still action-packed
7-Day Milebuilder
- More time at sea allows for greater total mileage
- Increased potential for multiple 60 nautical mile qualifying passages
- The additional two days enable you to venture further and visit more ports.
Is This Trip Right for You?
This trip is ideal for:
- Day Skippers looking to venture beyond sheltered waters
- Coastal Skippers seeking to log miles for qualifying passages in preparation for the Yachtmaster Offshore
- Crew members eager to start skippering real passages
- Anyone wanting to enjoy sailing in the UK and become a more capable, resilient sailor
Price – £709 (5-Day) / £809 (7-Day)
- Duration: 5 or 7 days
- Group Size: Max 5 crew
If you would like to skipper a 60nm qualifying passage, please inform us at the time of booking. This must be pre-arranged and is subject to weather conditions.
Questions? Please get in touch, and we’ll assist you in selecting the best trip to meet your goals.
Log the Miles You Need for RYA-Qualifying Passages
If you’re working towards an RYA qualification like Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Offshore, these trips are a smart way to knock off several requirements in one go.
These trips are a practical way to build that mileage and experience in one go. Upon request, when booking (weather and conditions permitting), we can include a 60 nautical mile skippered qualifying passage.
Participating in a mile builder is an excellent way to fulfil some of the following requirements you may need:
| Coastal Skipper | Yachtmaster Coastal | Yachtmaster Offshore |
|---|---|---|
| 300nm | 800nm | 2,500 miles |
| 2 days acting as skipper | 2 days acting as skipper | 5 days acting as skipper |
| 8 hours of night sailing | 12 hours of night sailing |
5 qualifying passages over 60nm (including 2 by night and 2 as skipper) |
Course Progression: What Comes Next?
Milebuilding helps you accumulate the necessary mileage for higher qualifications, but it does not replace skills training.
These milebuilder sessions are designed for you to gain as many miles as you and your crew feel comfortable with. While you can moor the boat if it’s your skippered passage, the main focus of the week is not on practising skills or mooring.
After a milebuilder, you might be ready for:
- Skills & Drills Week – Refine your anchoring, sail handling, or man overboard (MOB) techniques
- Boat Handling Weekend – Concentrate on close-quarters handling, parking under pressure, and skippering
- RYA Coastal Skipper Practical – Ideal for those who are already experienced day skippers
- RYA Yachtmaster Prep & Exam – For those who have built their miles, gained a variety of experiences, and completed their theory work
Not sure where you stand? Chat to our team and we’ll help you decide the best next step based on your goals and logbook.
Why Choose Our Milebuilding Sailing Adventures?
Modern & Fast Yacht
Sail aboard Cork Malt II, our Beneteau 50 – a fast, stable, and fully equipped ocean-going yacht. Purpose-built for long-distance milebuilding, she’s both comfortable and capable.
Real-World Passage Experience
Cork Malt II is the ideal training ground for gaining hands-on experience during longer offshore passages, helping you build confidence and practical seamanship.
Expert Instructor Support
You’ll be guided by a Sail Squad instructor throughout the trip, focused on both safety and developing your skills as a skipper through real responsibilities and feedback.
RYA Logbook Sign-Off
Your instructor can sign off qualifying passages, night hours, and skippered legs in your RYA logbook – making sure every mile counts towards your next goal.
Feedback on Navigation & Leadership
As you sail, you’ll receive personalised coaching on your navigation, decision-making, and leadership to help you progress with purpose and clarity.
Flexible Scheduling
With a range of course dates available – and the option to discuss custom dates if needed – we aim to get you out on the water at a time that suits you.
FAQs
We’ve covered the most common questions to help you get started. If there’s anything else you need, just drop us a message. We’re always happy to chat.
No, you do not need to be qualified. This week is suitable for those who want to experience longer passages on the water, as well as for those looking to log miles towards a qualification. The diverse range of experiences helps create a balanced and dynamic crew.
No, these trips focus on practical experience. However, all sea miles are logged and can be used for your RYA logbook.
- Experienced instructor
- Accommodation onboard
- Safety equipment and yacht fuel
- Use of charts, nav tools, and logbooks
- All Meals, refreshments & snacks
Yes! Most of our crew members book alone, and you’ll quickly become part of the team.