RORC Rolex Fastnet Berth (2023)

(9 customer reviews)

£4,500.00

A deposit secures your berth with the balance payable in instalments. The total amount is payable before 22nd April.

Get in touch if you want to learn more about our 2023 campaign.

In stock

Pay a 10% deposit per item

RORC Rolex Fastnet Berth (2023) 3Want the adventure of a lifetime? The Fastnet race is one of the ultimate offshore yacht races; this is your chance to create a lifetime of memories and lifelong friends. The RORC (Royal Ocean Racing Club) runs the race every other year, and Fastnet 2023 is the 50th Edition, making it very special!

This iconic event in the sailing calendar tests yachtsmen and women to the best of their abilities. Whilst all necessary training is provided, and there’s no specific pre-requisite qualification for this campaign, we recommend having done at least the Competent Crew course or having a similar level of experience.

This classic race takes part in some of the most challenging tidal and weather conditions, providing the backdrop for a memorable experience.

Whilst completing the race is an outstanding achievement, we aim to compete at the highest level. This is your chance to participate and claim something few people can say they have achieved. This famous race tests yachtsmen and women to the best of their ability, with the whole campaign clocking up over 1000 nautical miles of offshore racing & 1000 miles of offshore sailing.

Polka is a meticulously maintained Beneteau First, fully prepped for racing. More information can be found here.

If you are looking for an experience that will leave you with some unforgettable memories and improve you as a sailor, then look no further than doing the Fastnet with Marcus and Polka. Marcus is a brilliant skipper who will instil your confidence in him and the boat from the moment you step aboard.

Chris – 2017 crew

The campaign includes three offshore qualifying races and two training weekends, and two safety courses in addition to the race itself.

Training weekends

22nd & 23rd April, 6th & 7th May

Campaign races

De Guingand Bowl: 13th & 14th May (c110M – 160M)

Myth of Malham: 26th – 29th May (c230M)

Morgan Cup: 16th – 18th June (c110M – 160M)

Rolex Fastnet Race: 22nd -28th July* (c695M)

* Note as in 2021, the Fastnet will finish in Cherbourg. The delivery trip back will depart a couple of days after finishing. If you need to get back quicker, you can make your own way home.

Polka – GBR912R

Polka is a meticulously maintained Beneteau First 34.7, fully race prepared. She has a carbon mast and rod rigging and flies an asymmetric spinnaker from a retractable carbon bowsprit.
We carry a full race sail inventory including:

  • Carbon Membrane Main Sail
  • Membrane Jibs (No. 1 & No. 3)
  • Heavy Weather Jib
  • Storm Jib
  • TrySail
  • Code 0 Asymmetric
  • A2 Asymmetric
  • A4 Asymmetric

Polka is MCA coded and compliant with ISAF category 1 offshore racing. She carries all the latest safety equipment, above and beyond the requirements of both bodies. All crew whilst onboard have a Spinlock Pro-sensor lifejacket allocated for their use. (The Skippers rules when to wear them will be applied at all times).

 

9 reviews for RORC Rolex Fastnet Berth (2023)

  1. Paul Ayton (verified owner)

    This was an amazing experience , whether you have previous experience of sailing yachts or like me just done some dingy sailing. Marcus was a superb instructor keeping calm despite losing the odd sailbag , sailing ties , battons, winch handle etc over the side while we were learning how to change sails etc. Over the campaign we clocked up over 600miles of sailing crossing the channel 4 times and experiencing all weathers, in the practice races., The 605 miles of the Fastnet had even bigger waves than we were used to , at all time felt safe though there were moments when it was pretty wet , tough in places and occasionally cold but always fun – Marcus puts together an excellent crew and in offering the day skipper qualification within 6 months went from beginner to reasonably competent, one has to experience the Irish sea in 30 plus knots of wind in the dark heading into the wind to test ones enjoyment of sailing, while confident that you are in safe hands but getting involved in sailing the boat as quickly as possible.
    Since finishing the race I have been asked many times would I do it again, the answer is a definite yes, but need to do some more practicing sailing first, it has certainly encouraged me to do more sailing,
    best tip on signing up invest in good sailing kit –
    I think it is unlikely that you will fine a better captain, who will spend time teaching you and who wants the crew to enjoy themselves but be competitive at all times, a great experience and worth the money.
    Thank you Marcus and the rest of the Crew for making it an unforgettable experience
    Paul

  2. Ross (verified owner)

    Marcus presented a superb opportunity to do a number of offshore races and the iconic Fastnet race itself. It was so good I even did an extra race outside the programme! Marcus has a great deal of knowledge and experience of racing and you learn loads. Polka was a safe but exciting proper raceboat which looked after us in the range of conditions encountered over the season. Brilliant experience and very good value when you get an insight into what it actually costs to run a boat with all the right gear to be competitive – highly recommended.

  3. Ivan Radountchev

    Fastnet 2017! What a memorable experience!
    Thanks to Marcus and Polka Sailing. When I started my personal Fastnet Campaign nearly a year ago I looked at many websites, looked at many boat planning to participate in Fastnet 2017. What made me pick Polka was after a chat with Marcus, he shared his ideas and plans and I was convinced I will join the Polka Team. I was looking for a team I can be member of, where we all will share duties, learn and practice. Marcus delivered his plan very well. His knowledge, attention to details and great personal skills have been exceptional!
    I learned a lot, was involved in every aspect of racing and had a great time. As the rest of the crew. Not only during the Fastnet race itself but during the whole training and preparations.

    If you want to sit on the rails, keep your wellies dry and clean, tick an item off your bucket list look somewhere else.

    If you want to learn new skills, practice and improve your skills and If you want to have the best of knowledge and skills while enjoying every moment on board I recommend contactIng Marcus and Polka Sailing. He is already making plans for Fastnet 2019!

  4. Chris Lear

    If you are looking for an experience that will leave you with some unforgettable memories and improve you as a sailor then look no further than doing the Fastnet with Marcus and Polka. Marcus is a brilliant skipper who will instil your confidence in him and the boat from the moment you step aboard. His passion and talent for teaching will help you develop into a more confident and competent sailor whatever your prior level of experience. Polka is an immaculately maintained yacht and the only real limits on what you can learn on this boat will be what you are prepared to throw yourself into. An incredible experience from start to finish – I’d do it all over again in a heart beat!

  5. Ewa Franus-Branagan

    Completed Fastnet campaign 2017 and it was one of the best sailing experiences in my life. Want to do it again!!! And again!!! Learnt huge amount from Marcus and was super happy to sail on POLKA. Sailing with Marcus gives you an opportunity to do all the jobs on the boat and learn by working and not just …watching. Any team challenges were addressed in a very professional way. Another important hugely possitive thing from female perspective is the fact that all crew was treated equally, no male or female jobs, which was my struggle in the past. The atmosphere on the boat was great! Thank you Marcus for this opportunity and looking forward to sailing with you in the future!Ewa

  6. Nigel Branagan

    Sailing with Marcus on Polka is an experience where you will learn a huge amount in a very short time. Sailing is never straight forward especially when racing so having someone with Marcus’s experience is essential. If you’re someone who likes an easy life and let other people do the work for you then Polka and racing is not for you, however if you’re willing to get struck in, learn from your mistakes and be involved in all aspects of the campaign from helming to bow work then you will not be disappointed.

  7. Steve Bollen

    I was part of the Fastnet 2015 campaign and had a fantastic time with Polka Sailing. Marcus is a great skipper: very experienced, cool under pressure and has an excellent coaching style. If you are new to sailing or have some mileage under belt he is a great skipper to learn more from. I have paid to go sailing with four private schools to date, Marcus has been the best to so far.

  8. Sam Downs

    Completed the Fastnet campaign last year. Sailed to France, sailed to Jersey, sailed to Eddystone, completed an onshore safety course and then Finished the Fastnet Race. Even got the T-shirt! An amazing experience!

  9. Paul Hughes

    I was fortunate enough to be able to crew in two offshore races on board Polka during 2015, the second one being the Fastnet Race. Both were very professionally run and, though challenging, were fun to do. Marcus is highly recommended as a skipper and instructor. Looking forward to doing the Coastal Skipper theory course with him later in the year.

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