Morgenster

What this vessel does best

Our expert view: What Morgenster Does Best

Laid Back Style, Educational & Fun

Morgenster has managed to excel in both thoughtful and educational sail training voyages for young people, and extremely hospitable adventure cruising for adults to locations like Cape Verde or the Canaries.

The style of sailing is laid back, but don’t under estimate the professionalism of the crew. The Netherlands has a big fleet of working sailing ships and the famous Enkhuizen Zeevaartschool (Nautical College) training future mariners in sail as well as modern ships, so the standard of volunteer and paid crew is generally high, with excellent English used as the working language.

Morgenster has two captain’s. Harry and Jakob. Harry is well respected throughout the sail training world and loves to teach and Jakob has just won Sail Trainer of the Year 2017.

Sail with the Owners – Loving What They Do

Morgenster means Morning Star, and she is the second sailing ship that Harry and Marianne have run together, over many years. They knew exactly what they wanted when they bought a new ship. This sociable Dutch couple put a huge deal of thought and good design into the conversion of Morgenster from deep sea fishing vessel hull to a well functioning and elegant square rigger in 2008. Harry loves his music too so musical instruments and a bit of crew singing often feature during a voyage or in port.

Director of Classic Sailing Adam Purser sailed with them in 2016. When I asked him what was special about the ship, his first comment was:

Best Bit about Morgenster: Harry & Marian – Their enthusiasm for their ship and the love of what they do.” Adam Purser 2016

Harry and Marian Mutter run tall ship Morgenster

Manoeuvrable and Fast Clipper Brig

‘Morgenster’ is rigged as a brig, or a ‘clipper-brig’ as the Dutch like to describe it. This particular mast and sail arrangement was developed by the Americans during their struggle for independence. A brig only has two masts and has square sails on both masts. The heavy English Man o’ War ’s were not fit to catch the light and fast American brigs and schooners who used the “hit and run” tactics to great advantage and considerable embarrassment to the English Royal Navy.

The famous clippers were developed from these fast schooners and brigs. Morgenster frequently does well at Tall Ships Races, and Captain Harry likes to sail right up to the dock at festivals and events if he can.

Morgenster is a fast brig that does well in tall ships races

What to expect

Sailing Style

On board Morgenster—as on all of Classic Sailing holidays—you are not a passenger but part of the guest crew. You will be assigned a watch together with the professional crew to sail, steer and navigate the ship. No sailing experience is necessary. The crew will be happy to explain the functions of all the ropes.

Whilst Morgenster is only 2m shorter than Oosterschelde, the rig is very different. She is the ideal size tall ship for old and young crew, with square sails on two masts and 7 yards with sails to stow aloft. Climbing up the rigging is easier than on Oosterschelde as the first yards and platforms are not as high, so you can learn to climb a bit higher each day. Going aloft is not compulsory, but the view is great and the ships crew will train you on how to climb and what to do to stow sails or release the gaskets so sails can be set. There is plenty to learn on deck too. To manoeuvre the ship or trim the sails it needs a team a deck level to brace the yards. There are plenty of ropes to learn, or if you just want a holiday, we can show you what to pull to get the ship sailing. A great place to be is out in the bowsprit netting, but if the ship is sailing fast you might get a bit wet. There are safety harnesses for going out on bowsprit or aloft.

Coastal Voyages

The passengers on our coastal journeys are encouraged to take part in the discussions around the itinerary. Share your ideas with the crew and where possible, they will fit them in. This way you get an unforgettable journey!

Working aloft on tall ship Morgenster. sailing holidays on a square rigger — Working aloft on tall ship Morgenster

Life on Board

Below decks the two and four cabins are fitted with a washbasin with hot and cold water. There is a spacious saloon which is the heart of the ship. Showers and toilets are separate. All cabins have a ventilation system or heating you can control. Bedding and towels are included. The ship is steel, but the interior has been made as characterful and homely as possible, with wood features and paintings on the bulkheads.

In hot sailing areas like Cape Verde the ever present trade winds keep it a pleasant temperature below decks. She has a large galley and cook and you can buy drinks at the bar. On board euros are accepted but not credit cards.