"Don't forget to put that winch handle back where you found it as I'll need to lay my hand on it and we blind people have exceptional memories."

This was a word of warning given to me when out sailing a 65ft yacht two summers ago with a group of partially sighted and totally blind people. It was the RYA Sailability Blind Sailing Week and we were cantering up and down the Solent on the Formula 1 Events Farr 65 in a brisk 18-knot south-westerly.

Donated to the regatta, the boat came with two crew, four sighted helpers and eight visually impaired sailors. I was blown away watching them one by one taking the wheel to helm upwind.

They each had an acute sense of awareness for the breeze and its direction and steered as it swept across their faces. With an audio pilot to keep them from steering off course I was very at ease in their abilities.

This opportunity to get out and sail gives the partially sighted wings, it can unleash them and give them a sense of freedom. "It is easier for me to manoeuvre my way around this boat than to get about London," commented Tim Horsfield, who began his sailing career doing the return crossing from the Caribbean that spring.

Getting actively involved in the RYA Blind Sailing Week regatta added a boost to his confidence and last month he was trialling for the RYA Sailability Admiral's Cup entry with Andy Cassell.

Next weekend the Royal Southampton Yacht Club will be hosting this year's RYA Sailability South Coast Blind Week.

On July 12, 22 yachts will assemble in the club's section of the Ocean Village marina. Each boat will have a crew of two visually impaired sailors, two helpers, a skipper and mate. The teams will enjoy a week on the water.

Some can have day cruises, others with more experience will get to make longer passages, to include a possible Channel passage, before returning to Southampton on the Friday for a celebratory party.

Julian Mandiwall, who organises the RYA Sailability Blind Week, which alternates between the Solent and the West Country, commented on how well blind and visually impaired people can make great sailors. "They soon learn their way round a small thing like a boat. After all, it is a neat confined space, with everything in its place - far different from the ever-changing street scene or new shop."

RYA Sailability is the RSYC's chosen sailing charity and a good number of its members will be helping next week.