Business Details
17 Years
experience
Your Trusted RYA Sailing School in Ipswich
Suffolk Coast Sailing was founded in 2009 by Simon Read, a qualified RYA Yachtmaster Instructor with over 30 years of sailing experience. Our team combines professional expertise with a passion for maritime adventure, offering tailored instruction to individuals and groups of all skill levels. Based at Shotley Marina in Ipswich, we specialise in RYA-certified training programmes, from beginner courses to advanced skipper qualifications. Our fleet includes the Moody 419 yacht 'Wings', designed for both coastal and offshore sailing experiences. We prioritise safety and practical learning, ensuring participants develop confidence through hands-on participation in navigation, boat handling, and emergency procedures.With a focus on family-friendly instruction and youth engagement, we aim to make sailing accessible to diverse audiences. Our services extend to corporate team-building events, private charters, and unique maritime experiences like seafood cruises and air show spectator trips. Operating across Suffolk's rivers and coastlines, we also facilitate cross-Channel voyages to France for experienced sailors. Customer testimonials consistently highlight our structured yet adaptable approach, with instructors praised for balancing technical knowledge with approachable teaching methods.
Services
RYA Training
Day Sailing
Yacht Charters
Coastal Cruising
Corporate Events
Seafood Cruises
RYA Theory Courses
Gift Vouchers
Adventure Holidays
Mentored Passages
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- We offer RYA-certified training from beginner to professional skipper levels
- Our instructors have 30+ years of combined maritime industry experience
- We provide family-friendly sailing experiences with child-focused instruction
- Our Moody 419 yacht 'Wings' combines comfort with offshore sailing capability
- We arrange unique events including cross-Channel voyages and air show cruises
Associations and certifications
- RYA
What people say
Best decision I made
Excellent course
Patient instruction
Fabulous once-in-a-lifetime experience
Perfect balance of learning and enjoyment
Services
RYA Training Courses
We deliver RYA-certified sailing qualifications from beginner to professional skipper levels. Our structured programmes combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience, covering navigation, boat handling, and safety procedures. Instructors adapt lessons to individual learning speeds while maintaining industry standards.
Coastal Cruising
Explore Suffolk's waterways and cross-Channel destinations aboard our Moody 419 yacht 'Wings'. These voyages combine skill development with scenic sailing, offering opportunities for helmsmanship practice and passage planning in varied maritime conditions.
Corporate Events
We create tailored maritime experiences for corporate groups, including team-building exercises and networking cruises. Activities promote collaboration through shared sailing responsibilities while offering unique perspectives on coastal landmarks.
Gift Vouchers
Our flexible vouchers provide access to taster sails, certification courses, or luxury charters. Recipients can choose from multiple adventure options, making these gifts suitable for birthdays, anniversaries, or special celebrations.
Seafood Cruises
Combine culinary delights with maritime exploration through our themed cruises featuring local seafood. These excursions offer unique dining experiences anchored at picturesque locations along the East Anglian coastline.
People
Simon Read
Principal Instructor & RYA Yachtmaster
With 30+ years sailing experience, Simon established Suffolk Coast Sailing in 2009 after a corporate career. He specialises in family instruction and youth development, combining technical expertise with accessible teaching methods.
Questions
What RYA certification levels do you offer?
We provide RYA courses from Start Yachting (beginner) through Competent Crew, Day Skipper, and Coastal Skipper to Yachtmaster Offshore qualifications.
Can I charter a yacht without sailing experience?
Yes, our skippered charters include professional crew to handle navigation while guests enjoy the sailing experience.
Are children welcome on sailing trips?
We actively encourage family participation, offering child-friendly instruction and flexible arrangements for young sailors.
Do you offer sailing events for corporate groups?
Yes, we design team-building experiences that use sailing challenges to develop communication and collaboration skills.
What safety measures are in place during sailing courses?
All trips follow strict safety protocols with life-saving equipment, weather monitoring, and instructor-to-student ratios meeting RYA standards.
