No Experience required

VOYAGE PREPARATION

Before the Voyage

  • Read the Tall Ship Guidebook.
  • Consider doing an online Course like the RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship Course
  • Study the vessels kit list carefully well in advance making sure you know what to take with you.
  • Look at the deck plans to give yourself some idea of the ships layout
  • Learn about the ships type of rigging in the Tall Ship Guidebook.
  • Check the information the ship provides on what will be expected of you, watch keeping etc.
  • If you have any dietary requirements make sure this can be catered for.
  • Any special requests have been asked and acknowledged.
  • How to get there and back in good time. Take advantage of your travel to enjoy some time in your port destinations.
  • Keep your packing weight down to control your baggage costs and the physical effort of carrying them. (Please note most ships only have a small space for your clothing and any rigid suitcases are going to be storage problem, Use soft baggage like a rucksack or sailors bag.
  • Ensure your health and insurance are adequate for the entirety of your travel.
Helming Morgenster

Once on Board

• Identify who will be in charge of you and let them know any personal requirements that you have requested.
• You should be shown to your accommodation and given a quick guide to how to get around the ship.
• Pay close attention to the safety and ship briefing.
o Make sure you know how to use the toilets ‘heads’. They are not always as simple as on the land. Getting it wrong does upset the crew that have to sort it!
• Ask lots of questions when suitable.
o When things are happening quickly it may be best not to interrupt but remember to ask when there is more time.
• Study the wind, where it’s coming from, how strong it is and the effects on the boat, sails, and sea.
o What the sea looks like, dark or light patches, smooth or rough, can tell you a lot about the wind state. See a full description in the Wind Speed Conversion Table in the Tall Ship Guidebook.
• Get stuck in. The more you do the more you will enjoy it. Be quick to volunteer and you will soon be called on to do lots of interesting things. You will not be asked to do anything that you have not be trained to do or is beyond your capabilities.
• The essence of tall ship sailing is to be part of it, everyone onboard has that common goal and by fully joining in you can have a wonderful voyage.

More Stories

Sail on Tall Ship with Classic Sailing

25/10 Announcing New Voyages

Sail Scotland 2023

Explore Scotland’s wilderness and wildlife on a traditional sailing adventure! Join a traditional sailing vessel, no sailing experience required. Our skilled skippers will guide

Read More
faroe islands with classic sailing

12/02 Inspiration

Getting ready for a big adventure.

How to Prepare for a Long Voyage.  Getting ready for a big adventure is a lengthy process and we hope this article helps you

Read More

26/05 Top Voyages For...

Classic Sailing’s Top 5 Voyages for Photographers

The Classic Sailing Team’s top 5 choices for sailors who love to snap! Whether it’s for the ‘Gram, the family photo album or your

Read More
The late author and Explorer Kit Mayers with a globe. You can buy his book to help raise funds for Greenpeace.

20/04 Inspiration

‘The First English Explorer’… and a much more recent one

My grandfather, Kit Mayers, was a big influence on me. His stubborn adventurousness, stoicism and passion for the world was inspirational.

Read More
Trade Winds by Chris de Beukelaer

08/04 Educational

“Trade Winds” by Christiaan de Beukelaer

Adam here.Let me tell you about the book “Trade Winds” by Christiaan de Beukelaer. This book is a fascinating voyage through the difficult waters

Read More