Sailing School in the Solent
Looking for a sailing school in the Solent? Nomad Sailing is an RYA Recognised Training Centre based at Gosport Marina in Portsmouth Harbour, providing practical RYA sailing courses from complete beginner through to Yachtmaster preparation.
We sail throughout the Solent, using the area's busy tidal waters, harbours, marinas and anchorages as our classroom. Our practical courses include RYA Start Yachting, Competent Crew, Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Preparation.
Whether you've never stepped aboard a yacht before or you're working towards your next sailing qualification, our aim is simple: to give you the skills, experience and confidence to enjoy sailing for yourself in a fun and supportive environment.
Why Learn to Sail in the Solent?
The Solent is one of the UK's best-known sailing areas and provides an extraordinary variety of conditions and destinations within a relatively compact area. Protected by the Isle of Wight the Solent is sheltered from harsh ocean swells and is sailable on all but gale force conditions. I have often thought as an instructor if I had to design an area to teach sailing I couldn't do any better than that which is naturally provided by the Solent.
Variety - the variety is one of the Solent's greatest advantages. You aren't simply learning manoeuvres, you are learning how to make decisions, navigate, handle a yacht and work as a team in this busy varied stretch of water.
Shelter - The shelter provided by the Isle of Wight ensures calmer waters and means we can go sailing on all but the stormiest of days.
Other craft - The Solent is a busy stretch of water with other sailing boats, motor boats, ferries, high-speed craft, container ships, the list is almost endless. You need to keep a sharp lookout, know your collision regs and be able to take action to avoid collision.
Tides - the Solent has a tidal range of up to 4m in springs resulting in strong tidal streams in areas. What better place to learn your navigation, tidal planning and pilotage.
Destinations - The Solent has numerous destinations to chose from within a relatively small area. Your course may take you to Cowes, Southampton, The Hamble, Yarmouth to name but a few.
Buoyage - the Solent has every major navigational mark for you to see, all the Cardinal Marks, Safe Water Mark, Lateral Buoyage, Preferred Channel Mark, Isolated Danger Marks and at the moment it appears a pretty permanent Emergency Wreck Mark.
Navigation - navigating your way around the Solent is great fun but can be challenging with it's busy shipping lanes, areas of very shallow water where you least expect them and numerous buoys. Designated 'small boat channels' and shallow bars at entrances to rivers makes studying the charts and reading the almanac essential.
Night sailing - get out into the central Solent at night and it is reminiscent of a christmas tree. All those flashing lights, no better way to learn your light charateristics. You will see all the cardinals (very specific) numerous lateral marks and other vessels. If the light is not flashing it is another vessel (in most circumstances).
Why Choose Nomad Sailing?
Nomad Sailing was founded some 16 years ago by brother & sister team Jim & Lou. They both remain very hands-on in the business with Jim teaching the shorebased theory in London and Lou teaching sailing courses and taking customers on adventures outside the Solent. Their passion for sailing and teaching people to sail has never faltered and their determination to ensure ther customers get the best course possible remains undeterred. Jim & Lou work with a select group of excellent instructors who help provide fun, inclusive and supportive courses and sailing experiences.
Easy - Nomad Sailing is based at Gosport Marina in Portsmouth Harbour. We chose this marina as it is easy to get to by road and public transport. Arrive at Portsmouth Harbour Station a 3 minute ferry ride and you have arrived.
All Inclusive - the course fee includes everything, we will not ask you for any more money, all food is provided (3 meals a day plus snacks) all mooring fees are included, diesel and wet weather gear.
Accommodation - our boats have 3 double cabins plus two berths in the main saloon. As part of the course accomodation is provided from the evening before the course starts. If you have to travel a long way this will avoid exceptionally early starts and arriving tired for your course.
Low ratios - we only take 3 Day Skipper students on our 5 day cousres combined with Competent Crew students. We take a maximum of 3 students on our Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster preparation courses.
Don't take our word for it, here is what some of our customers think
Summer Day Skipper on the Solent.
A great week, with a small company which knows how to get you your Day Skipper. The Solent is the classic place to learn -- don't go anywhere else. Trainer was very experienced and learning the ropes alongside competent crew meant we all learnt from each other. Even a couple of hot still days allowed us to get great practice at mooring and departing the marina. Recommended
Make this the Sailing School to learn from - the BEST!
I have sailed with Nomad sailing a few times over the years having completed my Competent Crew practical back in 2021 and then my Day Skipper Practical in Oct 2025 and finishing it off in April 2026 - I couldn't have asked for a better instructor. Patience to the end, constructive and not giving up on us! Hope to do my coastal skipper with them when I am ready. Totally hooked on sailing!
Nomad sailing were excellent. The instructor, the condition of the boat, the food provided on board - all excellent. In particular, when our boat developed a mechanical problem one night, they had prepared another boat and got us onto it by 12.45 the next day. Very impressed.