Pre-Course Joining Instructions

Seagull perched on a yacht in the marina with sailing boats in the background

Instructor Contact & Arrival Information

We’ll send you a text the night before or the morning of your course with the name and phone number of your instructor. Please call them when you arrive, they’ll meet you and provide a parking voucher if needed. Please do not call before 8:45 am.

Please arrive by 9:00 am on the first day. This ensures there’s enough time for safety briefings and essential preparations before we set sail. Your punctuality helps us get off to a smooth and organised start.

Sailing school instructor guiding students at the helm while leaving the marina

Finding Port Hamble Marina

Location: Port Hamble Marina, Satchell Lane, Hamble, Hampshire, SO31 4QD. Our base is located in the centre of the village of Hamble, just off Marina Drive.

By Car: Follow signs for Hamble from the M27. Continue straight into Hamble village and follow the road to Marina Drive. Please do not park in the berth holders’ car park. There is ample alternative parking nearby.

By Train: Take the train to Southampton Airport Parkway. From there, we recommend using Uber or a local taxi; it’s about a 15-minute drive to Port Hamble Marina.

Crew members at the helm of a sailing school yacht in wet weather gear

What to Bring

Please pack the following essentials:

  • Thin thermal layers
  • Beanie and cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun cream
  • Warm gloves (ideally waterproof)
  • Sleeping bag, pillow, and towel
  • Trainers or sailing boots (non-marking soles)
  • Soft duffel or holdall (no hard suitcases)
  • Portable charger
  • Headtorch with red light option (optional)
  • Notepad, pens, and pencils
  • Plotter and dividers (for navigation courses)

We provide:

  • Foul weather gear (jackets & salopettes in sizes S to XXL)
  • Safety equipment
  • Mooring fees and fuel

Catering

Catering varies depending on each course. Generally, meals are included on more intensive, live-aboard courses, where onboard catering is essential. For shorter or less intensive courses, we do not provide meals.

  • Meals Included

    The following courses include all meals and refreshments onboard:

    • Coastal Skipper
    • Yachtmaster Prep
    • Cruising Instructor
    • Milebuilding Trips

    We provide ingredients for simple, nutritious meals, and meal preparation is shared among the crew.

    Please let us know about any dietary requirements when you book.

  • Meals Not Included

    The following courses do not include meals:

    • Start Yachting
    • Competent Crew
    • Day Skipper
    • Skills & Drills
    • Boat Handling

    There are plenty of cafés, shops, and restaurants nearby at each training location. Many participants enjoy the flexibility of bringing their own food or eating out during breaks.

Group of sailing school students sitting on the rail of a yacht during training

Contact Us

We look forward to welcoming you to Sail Squad and providing you with a memorable and rewarding sailing experience.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Speak to the Team

Customer Reviews

Gave me the confidence I needed.

Joni Gibbons

I would highly recommend Sail Squad. Really professional and friendly, extremely knowledgeable.  We’ve had two great weekend courses where we’ve learned loads.

John Turner

I’ve done a few training courses with different companies, and this has honestly been the best one yet. Patient instruction and high standards of boat and abilities.

Seb

This is a class act! The quality & breadth of info, combined with so much practical tuition, means attendees leave with a really solid grounding and confidence to handle boats in many conditions. Excellent – and so much fun!

Paul Lockett

This course should be mandatory for all new day skippers! It has cemented knowledge and highlighted gaps in my ability. The instructor was fantastic. The boat was excellent. I will be back.

Ian Roberts

This course should be taken by all new day skippers. Excellent experience and a great instructor.

Sarah Roberts

Lucy was very good at putting everyone at ease with the boat. Very clear instructions and reasoning behind the theory, and lots of practice in all aspects of boat handling. Felt completely safe in her hands. Thank you for a lovely week.

Nicola Neil

I found Lucy to be a competent and experienced instructor who gave us 100% throughout the five days. A really enjoyable course, and I will certainly recommend Sail Squad and Lucy to friends and anyone else wishing to start the sailing/training journey.

Anonymous