An unmissable morning of bluewater knowledge & cruising insight

Join us for an inspiring morning of bluewater knowledge sharing in Southampton, ideal for anyone considering sailing across the Atlantic or beyond.

This lively two-hour session brings together a presentation and expert panel discussion packed with practical advice, real-world experience, and plenty of time for your questions. We’ll explore weather and routing, choosing the right boat, essential equipment, crew selection and management, and what life onboard is really like on an ocean passage.

Our panel of experienced ARC and ARC+ sailors, alongside the World Cruising Club team, will be on hand throughout to share insights, guidance, and stories from recent Bluewater sailing experiences - with additional time to connect informally with speakers, marine industry experts, and fellow sailors.

By registering, you’ll not only gain a wealth of insight from the seminar, but you’ll also receive a ticket to the Southampton Boat Show, generously provided by Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics.

You’re also invited to the Island Life drinks reception on the Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics stand on Saturday evening - a relaxed and informal gathering where you can meet World Cruising Club staff, Advanced Rigging specialists, and the experienced skippers from the morning’s panel session. It’s a perfect opportunity to continue conversations, share stories, and ask any further questions in a friendly setting.

Cost: FREE – includes entry to the Question Time Seminar and a Southampton International Boat Show ticket, generously provided by Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics. Guests are also invited to attend the Advanced Rigging & Hydraulics Drinks Reception on Stand H4 at 16:00. Feel free to enjoy the Boat Show at your leisure before joining us for drinks.

Location: Harbour Lights Picturehouse, Ocean Village, Southampton SO14 3TL

Date: Saturday 19 September 2026

Time: 09:00 registration and networking (coffee available) | 10:00–12:00 presentation and panel discussion

Advance registration is essential — please click the button below to secure your place.

Topics to be covered

• Timeline to departure - planning, routes and weather
• Preparing your boat for bluewater cruising
• Bluewater equipment - communications, watermakers, power generation, sails
• Life onboard - watch systems, sailing double-handed, selecting crew
• Sailing with children and teens
• The ‘Atlantic circuit’
• Circumnavigating

Presenters

Host: Paul Tetlow, Managing Director of World Cruising Club

Panel: skippers and crew who have sailed the Atlantic or around the world:

• To be announced

In the audience and ready to answer questions will be representatives from leading marine companies including Advance Yacht Systems (power management and generation), Mactra (Schenker and Katadyn watermakers), Peters & May (yacht shipping), Hamble School of Yachting (training) and White Dot Sailing (project management).

Questions can be submitted in advance via email [email protected], or asked on the day.