A Mini Tall Ship Adventure

Setting Sail from Burnham-on-Crouch

This small Maldon town, known as the ‘Cowes of the East’ will be in full event mode when you arrive as ‘Burnham Week’ will just be getting underway. If you’re a fan of swashbuckling, try and get some accommodation locally for a night or two and enjoy the ‘Pirates on the Quay’ festival the weekend before your voyage. There’ll be some great folk music in town on Saturday 29th too.

Stepping aboard Phoenix, you’ll get to know your fellow crew and receive a full safety briefing, plus an up to date itinerary based on the latest weather forecast. Soon it’s time to slip lines and set sails!

Along the Way

This may be a short voyage, but you will soon feel part of the crew! Help to haul lines, set sails, steer the ship and get involved in every aspect of running a square rigger. The atmosphere on board is fantastically welcoming. Phoenix is a family run ship and Yannick, Céline and their children have an infectious excitement for sailing her. They’re also joined by additional professional crew, creating a great crew to guest ratio (Phoenix takes a maximum of 12 guests).

Taking Your Place in the Crew

The first part of the journey winds you out through the Thames Estuary, a place of wide skies, wild sandbanks, and constant maritime traffic, with the distant Kent coastline slowly coming into view as you head south. By the time you’re rounding the white chalk cliffs of North Foreland — the easternmost tip of Kent — you’ll be able to look south and, on a clear day, already make out the faint smudge of the French coast ahead.

The Channel crossing itself is one of the busiest stretches of water in the world, with cargo ships and tankers moving in organised lanes — it’s quite a spectacle, and your skipper will navigate you safely through. Once the French coast begins to close in, Boulogne’s harbour entrance opens up ahead, and the sense of arrival — from the English marshes to the French coast — is genuinely memorable.

Arriving in Boulogne-sur-Mer

Boulogne-sur-Mer, one of France’s most northerly cities, is a fascinating place to spend a few days, so make time after your voyage if you can.

If you need a leg stretch, there are beautiful walks along the cliffs at Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez, or seek out some of the city’s extensive gardens. The seafood here is second to none, as the ancient town has evolved into a major fishing port. Boulogne is also home to Europe’s largest aquarium, which is well worth a visit!

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

The weather in early September sits at that pleasant crossroads between late summer and early autumn. Daytime temperatures are comfortably warm at around 17–18°C (though remember it always feels cooler out on the water), cooling to 12–14°C overnight. The sea itself is at its warmest of the year at around 17–18°C, which takes the edge off any spray that comes aboard. Winds are generally from the south-west or west at a moderate Force 3 to 4, which typically gives a comfortable, lively sail — expect white horses on the water and a bit of movement underfoot, though nothing dramatic in settled conditions. Occasionally an Atlantic weather system pushes through and brings a fresher Force 5, which adds some excitement to proceedings.

A NOTE ON VOYAGE DESCRIPTIONS

On a sailing voyage we never use the word itinerary, as skippers will always be aiming for the best and safest sailing routes for the forecast. They are as keen as you to include some of the highlights described above, but when it comes to sailing, you have to go with Mother Nature, not fight her. The description provided is based on what we think might be possible, based on past trips, or prior experience, but nothing is guaranteed on a sailing voyage. As such, the scheduled joining ports, routes, activities and/or destinations may be altered. Due to the complexities of weather systems, this may be at very short notice. 

HANDS ON HOLIDAYS

Whether you are an experienced sailor or a complete beginner, the professional crew will train you to be guest crew from the moment you arrive, with the intention that everybody works together to sail the ship. The common thread to all Classic Sailing holidays is ‘Hands on’ participation on ships that use ropes, blocks and tackles and ‘people power’ to set sail. For more on this, see our article ‘What is a Hands-On Sailing Holiday?’

SAILING STYLE & LIFE ON BOARD

We cater for a wide range of ages and physical abilities and how much you are expected to do varies a bit between vessels. See the vessel tab above which explains all about the ‘sailing style’ and what to expect in terms of hands on participation. There is a lot of information about day to day life, the ships facilities and accommodation on Phoenix’s vessel page.

What to pack for a sailing holiday on Phoenix

What is Included:

• All meals aboard (soft and alcoholic drinks are available to purchase- alcohol may not be consumed when the ship is underway).
• All safety equipment, including lifejackets. Please don't bring your own lifejacket, as it may not comply with Phoenix's commercial safety standards.
• Your bunk, sheet and pillow (but you WILL NEED A SLEEPING BAG AND PILLOW CASE)

What is Not Included:

• Travel to and from your voyage
• Personal travel insurance (see our advice on Travel Insurance)
• Waterproofs - If this is your first voyage, good walking waterproofs will be fine. We only recommend buying sailing waterproofs if you are frequent sailors. See our article 'What Should I Wear to Go Sailing' for more information.

What to Bring

• Please, no valuable jewellery or other valuables, unless you have got specific travel insurance to cover it.
• Waterproofs - see above.
• A sleeping bag, pillow case and towel.
• Hats for sun and cold weather.
• Swim suit and suntan lotion.
• Flat shoes with a good grip e.g. trainers or sailing deck shoes. Sailing boots or wellies are also helpful.
• A small amount of cash for jaunts ashore.
• Camera, binoculars, sketchbook, a relaxing read...
• Any medication, spare spectacles. Seasickness tablets or pressure-point wrist bands (talk to your pharmacist)
• Your own logbook if you'd like to keep track of your sea miles.
• Tech chargers and waterproof cases for any electronics. A rechargeable battery pack for your phone / camera can be really helpful, as the 240v power supply on board is not 24 hours.

Download our handy Packing List, which includes some great advice about what to take with you!

N.B. BOATS HAVE LIMITED STORAGE SPACE SO PLEASE LIMIT YOURSELF TO ONE SOFT BAG OR RUCKSACK. Please don't use a rigid suitcase or a bag with a rigid frame. Soft bags are much easier to fold up and stow.