Thank you for your interest in the British Soling Association (BSA) for the Soling class of yacht in the UK.

The British Soling National Championships 2026 will be held on August 29/30, at Lochaber Yacht Club, in Scotland (pictured above in 2024).

What is a Soling?

Designed by Norwegian Jan Linge for the Olympics, the Soling is a fast, non sinkable, 27 foot, one ton, International One Design, racing keel-boat, that is sailed by a crew of three (with no weight limit) which can be towed by a car. Class rules allow droop hiking. The Soling is about the same length as a J80 but only 75% of its weight. The Soling is fast and rides the sea very well because it was designed for Olympic offshore racing. It has a fractional rig with a thirty one foot mast, self tacking jib and a symmetrical spinnaker.  Everything is adjustable while on the go on the water. This includes the forestay, the backstay and the inner and outer shrouds. This means that in heavier weather you can flatten the main by putting bend in the mast and you can balance the helm by increasing or decreasing the mast rake as you sail. There is no mainsail reefing. For more information on the rigging and controls of a Soling please go to page “The Soling – Technical Information”

The great thing about the Soling is that it sails so well. Weighing 1035 kilogrammes including the the rigging and endowed with a “V” shaped hull, it is very stable and cuts through the sea with ease rather than just bashing on each wave.

However having said that, we would only recommend the  Soling to experienced sailors. We would not recommend it to novices as it is a powerful boat to handle and becomes a bit of a beast once the wind gets up.

That’s why our slogan is  “SOLING LOVERS MAKE BETTER SAILORS”

The Soling has been raced by a multitude of famous yachtsmen who went on to compete in and win round the world events, the Admiral’s Cup and the Americas Cup like Russell Coutts for example , a multiple Americas Cup winner.  The Soling has been used often as the boat of choice in international match racing.

If you want to make the transition to world class yacht racing this pocket rocket is the boat for you! It is ideal as  a stepping stone to international yacht racing.

The Soling Fleet – The Future

We are always trying to attract more experienced sailors in the UK to the Soling, particularly young ones. The Soling is a class that acts as springboard  for young sailors who aspire to be great in yacht racing. The Soling is one of the boats most commonly used in commercial Sail-Training Schools all over the world.

We are looking for young, talented sailors who want a new challenge and who want to move up the scale from dinghy racing to yacht racing. Any of our fleets would be happy to welcome experienced young sailors and help them to become Soling sailors. The Soling is a beautiful yacht to sail but takes a bit of time and effort to master. However it is worth it!

Interested in Solings? What to do next?

So if you want to find out more, check out the rest of our website, or make contact or arrange to come and try one out. Don’t hesitate! Don’t be shy. Contact us or contact our nearest fleet to you. You will be welcomed!

There are a lot of Solings around and you can pick them up second hand at incredibly reasonable prices. They actually make great day sailing boats also if you don’t fancy racing. You get an awful lot of boat for your money if you buy second hand!

There are very active Soling fleets all over the globe too and World Championships are held every year. The International Soling Association website is www.soling.com where you can access the exact dates of all Soling events world-wide.

Soling sailors in the UK are a very friendly and sociable lot. Our regattas are always competitive but fun, so don’t be put off just because we are racing.

If you are interested in trying a Soling contact our Secretary secretary@solings.co.uk  or your nearest fleet through the links to them on this website. You’ll be made very welcome!

In the UK Solings are built by Petticrows in Cowes. Go to their website  www.petticrows.co.uk  and  look on “Other Boats and Specials” page on the Petticrows website.

For second hand boats and equipment check the “UK Solings & Items for Sale” page on this UK Soling website or go to the “Market – Shop” page on the overhead bar menu and then the “Complete Boats” page on the International Soling Association web site  www.soling.com

If you would like to find out more about Solings in the UK check out the pages on this site by clicking any of the links opposite.

The photos on this website show Solings racing during international competitions and Nationals at Lochaber Yacht club.

PHOTOS: courtesy of the International Soling Association and J Douglas of LYC.