Experience creates a confident skippers.

Skills can be obtained by doing practical and theoretical RYA courses, which provide for a very solid basis. However, at C-MASTERS we also offer a complimentary approach to learning by building up experience ... and confidence.

Experience Builder

"Netherlands to Brittany (France) - May 2026"

This Experience Builder offers an excellent opportunity for Day Skippers and aspiring Yachtmasters to develop their skills and gain valuable offshore experience. For many sailors, a passage toward the French Atlantic coast is likely a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

The voyage is a one-way passage from the Netherlands to Brittany, France, covering approximately 500 nautical miles. This distance means that night sailing will form part of the experience. Several legs exceed 60 nautical miles, making the passage particularly valuable for those aiming to meet the qualifying requirements for the Yachtmaster examination.

The overall route is divided into two main passages, with a stop in the beautiful historic town of Honfleur.

Dates of the experience builders:

• 10 to 16 May  : Passage 1 from Zeeland (Netherlands) to Honfleur (France)
• 17 to 23 May  : Passage 2 from Honfleur to Brest (France)

Sailing on a yacht of true excellence

You will be sailing aboard S/Y Argenaut, one of the best-equipped and most beautiful Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 First Line yachts currently on the water. Argenaut features three cabins and two heads, each with a shower, offering both comfort and practicality for offshore sailing.

She is equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety and navigation equipment, including a liferaft, EPIRB, Spinlock lifejackets, radar, satellite phone, AIS, three chart plotters, and an autopilot.

Her sail inventory will delight any enthusiastic sailor, comprising a stack-pack mainsail with three reefs, a 106% genoa, a Code Zero, an asymmetric spinnaker, and a storm jib.

Below deck, comfort is well catered for with an air heater, a three-burner stove, fans in all cabins, USB charging points in each cabin, a water filtration system, and an inverter providing 230V power while sailing.

Destinations of the experience builders

Your journey with us begins at our training centre in Zeeland, the Netherlands. The first passage takes you to Honfleur, one of the prime destinations for offshore sailors. This leg follows the Belgian coast, passing our Belgian training centre in Nieuwpoort before continuing toward Dunkerque or Calais.

As we round Cap Gris-Nez the following day, the scenery changes dramatically, and we may even encounter our first dolphins. After an overnight stay in Boulogne-sur-Mer and a well-earned night’s rest, we prepare for the continuation along the French coast toward Honfleur. Depending on the weather and wind conditions, we may visit several French harbours along the way.

From Honfleur, we set sail again for the second Experience Builder week. After a stop in charming Cherbourg, with its unexpected palm trees, we continue toward the Channel Islands, where we will experience the powerful tidal effects of the Alderney Race.  And of course, we won’t forget the different gastronomical culture (yes, we do stop to eat from time to time!).

Once we leave the Channel Islands behind, we head for Brittany, renowned for its spectacular harbours, famous rock formations, and challenging tidal races. A sailing visit to Brittany is certain to become a lasting memory.

Although we are nearing our destination, there is no time to relax your navigation skills just yet. Pilotage will be essential all the way along the Breton coast as we make our final approach to Brest.

This Experience Builder is guaranteed to boost your skills, confidence, and offshore sailing competence.

Supporting courses

We recommend the C-MASTERS Passage Planning course and our RYA navigation courses to get most out of this experience builder.

Supporting books

What an adventure ! Great instructor and boat

The combination of my RYA training course and this sailing trip was ideal. 

It was an excellent opportunity to make lots of miles and explore a new sailing area. I highly recommend your Experience Builders.

I can't wait to join you for the next adventure.

-- Monica --