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ROUND THE ISLAND RACE
RacingRegatta

ROUND THE ISLAND RACE

Round the Island Race — iconic 50nm anti-clockwise circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight

Fri, 9 Jul 2027·09:00 start

Dates

9 Jul 2027

Duration

2 days

Distance

50 nm

Location

Mercury Yacht Harbour, Hamble

About

Iconic 50nm anti-clockwise circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight, run by Island Sailing Club.

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The single biggest day in UK sailing — and a Unity bucket-list trip.

The Round the Island Race is organised by the Island Sailing Club. The course is approximately 50 nm anti-clockwise around the Isle of Wight from a Cowes start, passing the Needles, St Catherine's Point, Bembridge Ledge, and back to Cowes.

The fleet is one of the world's largest — over 1,000 boats in a typical year, with classes for everything from Sigma 38s to maxi yachts. Mass start off the Royal Yacht Squadron line, day racing, return to Cowes the same day. A full-day Solent classic that's still a real sailing achievement.

Race programme

Friday sail to Cowes · 04:30 starts Saturday · race round the Isle of Wight · sail home Sat evening.

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  1. Friday — sail to Cowes

    18:00 onwards

    Crew arrive Mercury Yacht Harbour for evening sail to Cowes. Briefing, kit check. Berth in Cowes for early start.

  2. Saturday — early start

    from 04:30

    First class starts from 04:30 off the RYS line. Unity start time confirmed in the WhatsApp depending on class.

  3. Saturday — race

    Anti-clockwise round the Isle of Wight. Needles · St Catherine's Point · Bembridge · finish back at Cowes.

  4. Saturday afternoon — finish & sail home

    Most boats finish mid-afternoon. Sail back to Mercury Yacht Harbour late afternoon / evening.

Joining details

Friday evening to Cowes recommended — Saturday starts begin at 04:30.

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Meeting point

Mercury Yacht Harbour, Satchell Lane, Hamble-le-Rice, SO31 4HQ. We meet on the pontoon by your assigned berth — your skipper will share the berth number and a location pin in the crew WhatsApp group the week before.

Meeting point

- Mercury Yacht Harbour, Hamble (postcode shown above). Pontoon and berth shared in the crew WhatsApp the week before.

Arrival

- Arrive by the start time shown on this event page. - Subject to availability you can arrive the night before — arrange with the skipper in the WhatsApp.

Parking

- Free at Mercury, except Round the Island Race weekend.

Crew WhatsApp

- Set up by the Wednesday before. Confirms timings, weather, destination berth.

Before you arrive

- Emergency contact, medical info and waiver in your dashboard profile. - International races: upload passport details.

Interested in this race?

£675 · Fri 9 Jul

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What to bring

Day kit, layers, snacks, water — long day on the water (8–14 hours typical).

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Essential

- Waterproof sailing jacket + salopettes - Sailing boots (deck shoes only OK for inshore day races) - Warm base layers (no cotton) + mid-layer fleece - Hat and sailing gloves - Sun hat, sunglasses with retainer, sun cream - Head torch with red-light mode (any night sailing or offshore) - Personal medication - Sea-sickness remedy (taken 30 mins before the start) - Water bottle and snacks for the day - Soft holdall or dry bag — no hard suitcases

Overnight

- 3-4 season sleeping bag (no bedding provided) - Toiletries, change of clothes, quick-dry towel

Offshore / double-handed

- Notebook for debrief - Passport for cross channel races

Provided

- Yacht, professional skipper/coach - Life jackets and safety kit - Charts, AIS, VHF (+ satcom offshore) - Galley kit, water, tea, coffee - Mooring fees and insurance

Not provided

- Food and snacks aboard — bring your own, or shared crew food order on overnight / offshore (cost shared, leftovers taken home).

Leave behind

- Hard suitcases, hair dryers, excess alcohol.

Who can join

  • Beginner — all experience levels welcome

Boats on this event

Log in to see who's on board

Hair of the Dog

Sunfast 3200

Hair of the Dog

1 crew aboard

On Unity Sailing's own boat, Hair of the Dog.

Skipper: Pro-Skipper

This race sounds great?

Get a crew place on this race

Join for FREE, everything to gain

  • FREE consultation call with one of our team
  • Join our WhatsApp community
  • Member discounts and offers
  • First to hear about crew places and last-minute spots
  • Matched to the right boat and crew

We work with people who share our principles of equality, opportunity and teamwork.

No payment, no obligation

Book now · £675

FAQs

Good first race, when it starts, night-before plan, how long, kit.

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What's on the boat vs what I bring?

On board: yacht, skipper/coach, lifejackets and safety kit, galley kit, water/tea/coffee. You bring: personal kit, layers, sleeping bag (if overnight) plus food and snacks.

What if the weather is bad?

We still run something — theory, manoeuvres in the lee of land, sheltered routes. Seriously weather-affected weekends rerun at a discount where reasonable.

I'm sea-sick prone — can I still come?

Yes. Take your remedy 30 mins before the start, not after. Tell your skipper in the safety brief.

I don't have a partner — can I still book?

Yes. We pair crew via the WhatsApp before each event. You won't be the odd one out.

Can I arrive the night before?

Usually possible, subject to availability. Arrange with the skipper in the crew WhatsApp.

How do I cancel or change my booking?

Contact us early — refunds and changes are handled case-by-case under our T&Cs. Earlier is always better.

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Interested in this race?

£675 · Fri 9 Jul

Register free Book now

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