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When Should I Go?

The seasons can change many aspects of your trip and not always in the ways that you might expect. The pros and cons between different times of the year.

Four Seasons in One Day

In the UK our temperate climate is generally driven by weather systems from the South West, but continental Europe and Artic air flows from the north all contribute to a system that can totally change the day within the space of a few hours and irrespective of the time of year.

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall?

The time of year you choose to go will obviously have an effect on your trip but don't think you need to wait for a sunny week in the middle of summer before it's safe to go sailing.

A Bit of Peace and Quiet

Most schools in the south run courses throughout the year and the extra sea room and quiteness of the winter months can be preferable to those few hot weeks in the summer when everybody who owns something that floats is making there way to the sea for some fun in the sun.

On all but the shortest of winter days there is plenty of daylight for a first time sail and five or six hours afloat is probably ample for most people's first time out.

Not Always the Clear Winner

Spring days can be invigorating and it's great to get out after being cooped up indoors for the winter months but be aware that the sea around the southern half of the UK is at it's coldest in March and as the air temperature rises in the Springtime many coastal areas can be affected by limited visibility and fog.

Golden Days

The summer months are obviously the most popular for water borne activities in the south of the UK and some areas can become choked with people and traffic; not so good if your instructor is looking for a quite pontoon for you to try your first alongside manouevre.

Out of all the seasons early Autumn probably scores the most brownie points. The summer rush has subsided as children go back to school, the sea is at it's warmest, there's still plenty of daylight and a lot of summer attractions and facilities are still open but no where near as busy as they were a few weeks earlier.