The UK's biggest single-day yacht race
Race the Round the Island —
with Unity Sailing
Crew opportunities for every level. Race-ready Sun Fast yachts. Professional skippers, full safety kit, prep training, and a briefing that gets you race-ready before the start gun.
About the Round the Island Race
The Round the Island Race is the largest yacht race in the UK and one of the largest in the world — over 1,000 boats and 16,000 sailors circle the Isle of Wight every June from a Cowes start line. It's a 50-nautical-mile sprint round the Needles, past St Catherine's Point and back across the Bembridge line.
We typically book places on two to four boats — Sun Fast 3200s, 3300s and 3600s — with mixed crews ranging from first-time racers to returning regulars. RTIR makes a brilliant first big-fleet experience: inshore, single-day, and home in your own bed the same night. It's also a serious race for the IRC-rated fleet, with a real shot at a class podium for the Sun Fasts.
Crew opportunities
Available crew places
Prep training
Get race-ready before the start gun
Two days on a Sun Fast in the months before RTIR turns "I've raced a few times" into "I know the boat" — and gives you a shortcut to the better crew slots.
Round the Island FAQs
Can I join a Round the Island crew with no offshore experience?+
Yes — RTIR is an inshore single-day race, ideal as a first big-fleet event. Comfortable as Competent Crew (or equivalent) is the minimum. We mix new crew with returning Unity regulars on every boat.
Which boats do we book crew places on?+
Sun Fast 3200, 3300 and 3600 race yachts — typically 2–4 entries depending on the year. All Cat 3 / inshore safety equipped.
What's included in a crew place?+
Race entry, mooring fees, insurance, lifejackets and full safety kit, briefings, professional skipper, and crew chat in advance via WhatsApp. Food is a shared crew order — cost split.
Do I need to do prep training first?+
Recommended — our Intro to Sunfasts and Racing weekend or the Foredeck & Pit Training are designed to get you race-ready for RTIR. Crew who've done the training run smoother boats and faster times. You'll see prep weekends listed below.
Where do we start and finish?+
Start off Cowes (Royal Yacht Squadron line). Course is roughly 50 nautical miles clockwise around the Isle of Wight — through the Needles, around St Catherine's, back across the Bembridge line and up the eastern Solent.
How long does the race take?+
From around 6 hours for the fastest IRC big boats to 12+ hours for cruisers. Sun Fasts typically finish in 7–9 hours depending on the wind. Most crews are home in Hamble by late evening on race day.
Race the Island this year
Crew places fill fast. Tell us your experience level and which boat you fancy — we'll match you up.