No sailing experience required to sail with Classic Sailing”
Since 1996, we have believed in introducing new people to the wonders of sailing with a simple principle at the heart of everything we do: “No sailing experience required.”
We have held to that since our start in 1996 and thousands of people have taken the first step to tall ship sailing. Most people who book have never sailed before.
No qualifications required, no previous sea time, just a willingness to try something new.
You become the ‘hands-on’ crew that do the sailing. No prior knowledge is assumed. We help you understand what to do and when.
Thank you for being here.
All we know is you are interested in sailing.
We don’t expect you to book a voyage without careful thought.
So take your time.
What it actually means to be crew with no experience
Unlike a cruise ship you are not a passenger you are part of the team that sails the ship. The professional crew are there as your trainers not entertainers.
When everyone is aboard there is safety training, an introduction to the ship, the ropes and sails so everyone is familiar with the ship.
Very quickly you will be pulling on ropes to get the sails up, learning to steer the ship, and pulling more ropes to change the position of the sails to the wind.
Without you joining in the ship won’t be able to sail, that’s why it is ‘hands-on’ sailing.
You do not need to be strong, tall, or agile, there are roles for all abilities. Going aloft is always voluntary. Should you wish to climb the rigging you will wear a safety harness and be trained how to do it. ( Subject to weather conditions and suitability of the ship.)
There are tasks on board for everyone to join in.
See All our Articles on First Time Sailors.
What beginners tell us (after their first voyage)
“Exhilarating without being scary.” Angela
“I never thought I would enjoy it so much.” Sarah Edwards
“I should have done this years ago.” Chris Truman
“My first sailing trip, certainly not my last.” Sue
“I had never sailed before and loved it.” Sally Ann Edlin
“This was the first time I had sailed… the crew were very helpful to a newbie.” Janice
“Great adventure, very hands on, and not to be forgotten as a complete novice and landlubber.” Steve.
Which voyage suits a complete beginner?
There is no sailing expérience required on short breaks and taster voyages. They are a natural starting point as they require less of your time and money but you still get a true sense of what ‘hands-on’ sailing is like.
Choosing a voyage close to home helps keep the costs and time commitment down.
There are many different sizes and shapes of ship to join. It is depends if you are happy on small ship with fewer people or a bigger ship and more people. They all give excellent training.
Think of it this way, not only do the ships not physically sail without your help, they can’t sail without your custom so it is very much in their interest to ensure you get what you want, a true ‘hands-on’ sailing experience.
Even on longer voyages you do not need previous sailing experience, just a keen sense of adventure..
.
.
Common worries, straight answers
Will I get seasick? some people do, most adapt quickly, there are practical steps.
Will I be the only beginner? No. no sailing experience required is the starting point for most Classic Sailing bookings.
Will I be on my own? Yes, most people are, but not for long, that is exactly why it works. Starting on your own -briefly
Am I fit enough? There are tasks for every ability level, you do not need to climb the rigging.
What if I panic? It is natural to be worried about your first voyage. But remember the professional crew are very keen to help first-time sailors.
“Stretching outside my comfort zone… I’m glad I took the risk.” Tracy
.
A note on RYA courses
Classic Sailing also offers RYA Competent Crew courses for those who want a formal qualification as well as an experience.
But you do not need to do a course first, most sailors start with a voyage and do a course later if they want to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Do I need any sailing experience to join a Classic Sailing voyage?
Answer:
No. Classic Sailing has welcomed complete beginners since 1996 and the majority of our sailors arrive with no sailing background at all. You are the crew, and your skipper and permanent crew will teach you everything you need to know from your first afternoon on board.
Question: Can a complete beginner go on a tall ship?
Answer:
Yes. Tall ships are sailed by a team, not by individuals, and that team always includes complete beginners. The tasks aboard a traditionally rigged vessel are designed to be carried out by a crew working together, and your role as a first-timer is a real and necessary one. You will be taught, not left to figure it out.
Question: Do I need to be physically fit to sail a tall ship?
Answer:
General good health is all that is needed. You do not need to be strong, agile, or particularly fit. There are important roles for all abilities aboard, and going aloft (climbing the rigging) is always voluntary and fully supervised when it does happen. If you have a specific health concern, contact us before booking and we will advise honestly.
Question: Will I be the only beginner on board?
Answer:
Almost certainly not. The majority of Classic Sailing voyages are booked by first-timers, and most people who join us come on their own. The mix of experience levels on board is part of what makes it work: experienced sailors and complete beginners learn from each other throughout the voyage.
Question: What will I actually do on my first day?
Answer:
Your first afternoon is spent on safety: a full briefing, emergency drills, and getting to know the ship and her permanent crew. By evening you will be underway and assigned to a watch. By day two, most first-timers are handling lines, taking a turn at the helm, and keeping lookout. The learning curve is fast because you are doing real things from the start.
Question: How long should my first voyage be?
Answer:
A 3 to 7-night voyage is the natural starting point. It is long enough to get past the first-day nerves, settle into the rhythm of watches, and leave feeling like a sailor. Short taster voyages of 1 to 3 days are also available if you want to test the water first (quite literally). Longer voyages of two weeks or more are also open to complete beginners, and many first-timers jump straight in.
Question: Is there a minimum or maximum age?
Answer:
Sailors aged 16 and over are welcome on most voyages without restriction. There is no maximum age. Our sailors range from teenagers to people in their eighties, and the demands of the voyage can be matched to whatever each crew member can contribute.
.
