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Atlantic Dinghy 2027

Solo sailing dinghy training programme.

Sponsor Voyage

Goal Prepare one person to safely sail solo ~700 nm across the North Atlantic in a small, stable dinghy (Wayfarer Weekender) in challenging ocean conditions.

Start Date & Location Base

  • Training Start: 27 August 2026
  • Primary base: Loch Venachar (sheltered, consistent access for skill-building).
  • Sea/coastal mix: Trailer the boat to west coast launch points (e.g., Oban, Kyles of Bute, Sound of Mull, Firth of Lorn) for tidal/swell exposure, progressively increasing distance and difficulty.

Core Weekly Routine (mix of loch + sea)

  • Mon–Fri: Mostly Loch Venachar (2–4 hours focused single-handed sailing + 45-min fitness + drills/study).
    • Emphasize reefing, centreboard management, heavy weather, night sailing (monthly), storm sims, self-rescue.
  • Saturday: Longer voyage (6–12 hours) — alternate extended loch sails and trailer-launched coastal/sea passages (fortnightly sea trips for tides, waves, pilotage).
  • Sunday: Rest/light sail (1–2 hours on loch) + flexibility/yoga + weekly progress review/reflection.

4 Phases (now dated for 2026–2027)

  1. Foundation (Aug–Oct 2026, Months 1–3)
    • Build basics on Loch Venachar: single-handing, reefing, boat familiarity, physical conditioning.
    • 1–2 intro trailer trips to sheltered sea (e.g., Loch Lomond or easy Clyde access) for first tides/waves.
  2. Skill Development (Nov 2026–Jan 2027, Months 4–6)
    • 70% Loch Venachar (varied conditions, navigation/GPS/chart practice).
    • 30% coastal/sea voyages — trailer to west coast (e.g., Kyles of Bute, Oban area) for short passages (10–30 nm), anchoring, buoyage, tidal work.
  3. Advanced Training (Feb–Apr 2027, Months 7–9)
    • 50/50 mix: Loch for precision/emergency drills (capsize recovery, storm tactics).
    • Sea focus: Longer/overnight voyages in exposed areas (e.g., Sound of Mull, Arisaig, Firth of Lorn) — test mods in real swell, fatigue, weather decisions.
  4. Pre-Voyage Preparation (May–Aug 2027, Months 10–12)
    • Full simulations: Multi-day sea passages (e.g., west coast circuits mimicking ocean legs).
    • Final loch polish, mental prep, boat fully tested/modified. Launch from points simulating Iceland landfall.

Key Skills (RYA Yachtmaster essentials adapted for solo dinghy)

  • Boat handling (reefing, tacking, anchoring, MOB/self-rescue)
  • Navigation/pilotage (charts, tides, GPS, passage planning)
  • Meteorology, IRPCS collision regs
  • Safety (EPIRB, flares, first aid, VHF DSC)
  • Mental resilience for prolonged solo exposure
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Support This Epic Voyage


Join an historic solo dinghy crossing from Scotland to Iceland in 2027. Your sponsorship will fund critical equipment (~£30,000) and showcase your brand globally.

Act now—financial or equipment contributions welcome. Sponsors’ logos will shine on the boat, with exclusive voyage photos for your use.

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ATLANTIC DINGHY PROJECT

Jason Allardyce

Brig o' Turk
Callander
FK17 8HT

Telephone: 01877 701801

Mobile: 07395 226488

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