‘Eye of the Wind’ is one of the most photogenic and well loved tall ships in the world
She has sailed around the world to legendary locations like Pitcairn Island, New Zealand and Cape Horn, been the star of films like White Squall’ and has spent decades as an adventure charter vessel and expedition ship.
Today she sails 12 months of the year, offering a mix of adventure and themed travel holidays.
Tropical and offshore island paradises feature strongly in her winter sailing programme as well as being the most photogenic ship at summer tall ship festivals and entering some of the great waterfront cities of Northern Europe.
Eye of the Wind in the Caribbean. Photo by H P Bleck
Ocean Wandering & Island Paradises
Eye of the Wind has a tried and tested formula for winter sun escapes. Following the old trade wind routes you would expect for a square-rigger that likes to sail as much as possible, she heads South for a short season in the Canaries. The North East Trades whisk her across the Atlantic for those who fancy a classic ocean passage in the sun as a way of digital detoxing for a month.
Christmas and New Year are usually spent in the Caribbean. With only 12 guest crew on a 132ft ship the experience is pretty exclusive and there are plenty of places to seek some space, so Eye of the Wind is a good choice for couples and romantics.
Eye of the Wind Anchored off Guadeloupe
Beautiful Wooden Interior
She wears her 100 years well, having undergone several quality restorations, all of which have helped create a ship interior full of beautiful wood and salvaged antique fittings. Her square rig is totally traditional and all sails are hoisted by human power and blocks and tackles.
Englishman Tiger Timbs and a bunch of tall ship enthusiasts started the story when they converted her to a brigantine. The ship’s hull is steel, but the whole feel of the ship is wood. The deck was created from a teak dance floor, the benches in the saloon where salvaged from a church. A wealthy Danish owner lavished money on turning her into a luxury private sailing ship capable of global cruising, but kept the square rig totally authentic and human powered. Today she is available for all to sail again with German owners who love tall ships, team building and old style adventuring on the seven seas.
Below decks style on Eye of The Wind
A Stylish Way to See Europe
The Baltic is a hot place in summer and steeped in maritime history. Bounded by Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia you can visit more than one country in a voyage easily. There are hundreds of islands, intricate navigation and some of the most iconic waterfront cities in Europe. If you are looking for a unique way to understand European culture and history, then sailing between ports on a multi-nationally crewed ship that once carried cargoes through the 1920’s and 30’s all around the Baltic.
There is a huge fleet of wooden sailing ships around the Baltic, as well as numerous large windjammers so tall ship festivals here are well attended. Outdoor parties, music and parades of sail are a colourful way to see ports like Hamburg, Copenhagen or any historic city with enough dock space to create a tall ship gathering. Let Eye of the Wind show you here home sailing ground during the summer, or try out a short taster in preparation for a more exotic adventure on her further afield.
What to expect
Sailing Style
No sailing experience is needed as full training is given so you can learn take part in sailing this well maintained and authentically rigged sailing ship. With square sails on both masts and stun’sails for ocean passages you have a great square rig classroom for those who want to learn as much as they can. She has 8000 square foot of sail (750 sq metres) which is quite a spread of red canvas, so good speeds are possible.
Sun deck cushions – not your average sail training ship
Life on Board
Guest crew are all encouraged to take part in the active assistance in sail handling and on board routine of watches and steering the ship. No one is obliged to co-operate. It is your holiday and there is a professional crew of up to 10 for 12 guests. If you are in the mood for a challenge climbing the rigging is possible but don’t worry if you have never been up before. You will always be under the guidance of the ships crew and is a great thrill.
The ships crew are typically 20-40 and a mix of all nationalities. They are pretty dedicated to the lost art of traditional seamanship and rope work so you will have plenty of teachers if you want to help maintain the ship.
If you just want to chill on a deck cushion or hope for dolphins in the bowsprit netting that is ok too. The ship has a library and characterful spaces to relax below decks too.
there is always a reason to go aloft on a brig
Accommodation
Social Areas on Board include:
There is a lower saloon with a library and skylights above for natural light.
The upper saloon is close to the galley for meals
There is a sun deck area to relax on deck
There is a ships bar to purchase drinks
Eye of the wind – cabin Photo HP Bleckupper saloon and galley
Guest Cabins
There are 6 luxurious cabins, all with en suite bathrooms. All have air conditioning and bed linen is provided. There are 230v sockets (British? or Euro pin?)
There are 16 berths within these 6 cabins, but generally, she only takes 12 guest crew so the cabins are ideal for couples, friends or solo travellers happy to share a cabin with a guest of the same sex.
Sole occupancy.
If you do not want to share a twin cabin they are available for sole occupancy, there is an extra charge of 50% of the voyage fee subject to availability.
eye of the wind-interior layout
Ship specification
Eye of the Wind – Full Ship Specification
Year built: 1911 in Brake, Germany
Rig: 2 masted Brig
Length overall: 40.23m (132ft)
Beam: 7.01m (23ft)
Draught: 2.7m (8.9ft)
Sail Area: 750 m² (8000 sq ft)
Areas of operation: Worldwide
Number of guests: Up to 16
Number of permanent crew: 8-10
Berth types: 6 Luxury cabins with ensuite bathroom and air conditioning. Typically cabins used for 2 people only but some have more than 2 berths.
Generators – 240v
Navigation & Comms:
Radar, VHF, MF and HR (worldwide) and GPS
Fax and Satellite coms
British flagged vessel.
Skippers and crew
The ship has a pool of highly experienced crew and relief crew for a proper rotation
Captain Pit
Since the age of 26, I am working in seafaring. In Enkhuizen, the Netherlands, I attended the Seafaring School, and at the end of my entire training, I earned the title “Master (all ships)”. After a long time on mechant ships, my way now led back to sailing – finally!
I’ve known the Eye of the Wind for a long time, because a colleague from the Nautical School was her captain for nine years – so my predecessor. Sailing is a beloved and lived passion for me. The special thing about this ship is: I am the captain on board, but I can not sail alone from A to B – here everyone works together.
My dream destination with the Eye of the Wind? – The island world of the South Pacific!
Captain Megan
Megan from Australia spent time as First Mate and is now one of the Skippers of Eye of the Wind. She joined the crew in 2014 and brings a lot of sailing experience with her. She introduces herself:
I’m from Western Australia, where my father took me sailing as a child. As I got older, I sailed on an Australian sail training ship as a volunteer watch leader – that was in 2008.
Before I attended the Sailing Academy in Fremantle/Australia, I worked on several ships. After finishing my education there, I sailed overseas for the first time and took part in Tall Ships’ Races in European waters.
I first saw the Eye of the Wind in 2013, when she was cruising off the Caribbean island of Saint-Barthélemy under full sails, and I instantly fell in love with the ship. One year later, I joined her crew as a deckhand, today I work as a first mate. As a Master, I am allowed to operate vessels up to a size of 200 GT, as a Chief Mate up to 300 GT (Gross Tons).
I would love to sail around Cape Horn with the Eye of the Wind one day. Until then, I love to share my experience with our fellow sailors. I hope that I can make you feel as passionate for sailing as I do!
Eye of the Wind CAPTAIN- Megan
Captain Moritz
Moritz grew up in Germany, and says he’s been enthusiastic about the sea since being a child.
” I love to feel nature at close range, be it climbing, hiking or sailing. I am glad to work on this really beautiful ship in a well-rehearsed team, and would be very happy to welcome you to an adventure on board!”
Crew
Eye of the Wind also has a great team of deckhands, mates, engineers and chefs.
