Sail GP 2026 Spectator Boat
Booking details
No dates currently available. Please contact us for more info.
No dates currently available. Please contact us for more info.
Sail GP is back in Portsmouth on July 25–26, 2026, and Commodore Yachting is running two exclusive one-day spectator boat trips. Forget the crowded grandstand — watch the world’s fastest sail racing from your own front-row seat on the Solent.
We’re taking Emerald Star, our spacious 44ft Bavaria, out for each race day. With a maximum of 8 guests aboard, you’ll have room to move about, comfortable seating, and uninterrupted views of the racing. No jostling for position. No obstructed sightlines. Just you, the water, and the spectacle of F50 catamarans hitting 60 knots.
Each day includes lunch, hot and cold drinks, and a full safety briefing. You just need to turn up at Gosport Marina ready for one of the best days on the water you’ll have all summer.
Sail GP is like nothing else in sailing. Twelve national teams, identical 50ft foiling catamarans, reaching speeds most sailors can only dream of. The racing is tight, physical, and unpredictable — lead changes happen in seconds. Watching it from a grandstand is one thing. Watching it from the deck of your own yacht, a few hundred metres from the course boundary, is something else entirely.
Tom and the team have been sailing these waters for over 30 years. We know where to position ourselves for the best views. When the fleet rounds the gate and the boats fly past at full speed, you’ll understand why we do this every year.
Your day starts at Premier Gosport Marina, where you’ll board Emerald Star and meet your skipper. After a short safety briefing, we cast off and head to the race area in the Solent. On the way out, you’ll see Portsmouth Harbour, the Spinnaker Tower, and the iconic Southsea seafront from a perspective most people never get.
Once we’re in position, settle in for the main event. Racing runs from approximately 16:00 to 17:30 each day, with three races scheduled. The F50s are staggeringly fast in person — photos and TV don’t do them justice. You’ll feel the spray, hear the sails crack, and watch these machines turn on a sixpence as they jockey for position.
We’ll have the SailGP radio commentary running on board whenever it’s available, so you’ll know exactly what’s happening across the fleet as the racing unfolds.
Emerald Star is a 44ft Bavaria — a proper cruising yacht with a spacious cockpit, comfortable seating, and a well-equipped galley. She’s stable, safe, and big enough that 8 guests plus crew never feel cramped. We’ve run spectator trips before and know what works: plenty of deck space for watching, shelter if the weather turns, and a proper lunch served between races.
Between races, while the crews reset and the course marshals reposition, we’ll find a good spot to relax, eat, and talk about what we just saw. These breaks are half the fun — debating who’s got the best line, which team is looking strongest, and what’s about to happen in the next race.
Saturday 25 July or Sunday 26 July 2026 — choose your day when you book.
10:00 — Meet at Premier Gosport Marina. Coffee and introductions aboard Emerald Star. Safety briefing and familiarisation with the yacht.
10:30 — Cast off. Sail to the race area in the Solent, arriving with plenty of time to find the best viewing position before racing starts.
14:00 — Lunch served on board. Hot and cold options, plus tea, coffee, and soft drinks throughout the day.
16:00–17:30 — Racing! Three fleet races, back to back. The F50s will be flying. This is what you came for.
17:30–19:30 — Sail back to Gosport Marina. Time to relive the best moments, check the results, and plan your next trip. We aim to be alongside by 19:30.
Timings are approximate and subject to weather and the official Sail GP race schedule. If conditions force a delay, we’ll adjust the day accordingly — but Sail GP races in almost all conditions, and so do we. The Solent in July is typically settled, with long daylight hours and comfortable temperatures. That said, bring layers and a waterproof jacket. It’s still England.
Your ticket covers:
What to bring:
We carry waterproofs on board if you need them, but we recommend bringing your own for the best fit. Maximum 8 guests per day, so spaces are genuinely limited.
The Solent in July is generally calm, and Emerald Star is a stable, heavy yacht — not a tippy dinghy. Most people are fine. If you’re prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking seasickness tablets the night before and on the morning of the trip.
£150 per person — includes lunch, drinks, and a full day on the water.
Spaces are limited to 8 guests per day (16 total across both days). These trips sell out every year, so don’t wait.
To book, call us on 023 9258 1631 or contact us through the website. We’ll confirm your preferred day (Saturday 25 or Sunday 26 July), take payment, and send you joining instructions with everything you need to know.
You can also check available dates and book through our online event calendar below. Either way, we look forward to having you aboard for what promises to be one of the most exciting weekends on the Solent this summer.
Got questions? Give us a call. Tom or Jonno will talk you through the day, answer any concerns, and make sure you’re booked onto the right date. We’ve been doing this for years and we know what makes a great spectator experience.
If you’re booking as a group, let us know and we’ll make sure you’re all on the same day. We can accommodate up to 8 in a single group, or split across both days if you prefer.
No dates currently available. Please contact us for more info.
Exciting Channle islands exploration!! This will be my third time with Commodore, no regrets. 😁 Such a great trip exploring the Channle islands and northern France. We got to see lovely towns in Guernsey and Jersey as well as a fab market in Cherbourg. The sailing was so great! Over 350 miles covered and well over doubled my night hours. Big shoutout and thank you to our amazing skipper Ed who always had to the best recommendation and was so flexible to what we wanted to do as a group. He was an amazing support through out the trip, gave great MOB training and help in passage planning. Boat was great as always. Amazing experience and can’t wait to go on similar trips with the company.
Orla SimpsonWe did a mile builder channel crossing with Karen. She was absolutely brilliant, a great combination of confident and relaxed to help us build our feeling of confidence. Would highly recommend the mile builder with her. Overall a tiring but extremely rewarding experience. Thank you Karen!!
Ana Sofia Almagro