| Embark | Disembark | Vessel | Duration | Voyage No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 12-04-2024, 18:00Cape Town, South Africa | Tue 28-05-2024, 10:00Horta, Azores | Tecla | 46 Nights | TC120424 |
46 nights aboard, and nearly 6000 miles to cover! This voyage is brilliant as for mile building and the experienced sailor as there is a long way to go, including a real taste of both the Southern and Northern Atlantic.
There is no itinerary possible for this voyage, as its main component is the ocean and the wind. On day 1 you will be welcomed by the captain the voyage plan will be explained. Depending on wind and weather, there will be possibilities to stop on St Helena, over 1700 miles from Cape Town. And after that Ascension is a further 2400 miles.
You will form part of the ship’s crew for this voyage, taking part in the watchkeeping system and falling into the rhythm of life on board. Taking part in a watch allows you to experience night sailing, learn some navigation, helm the ship, keep lookout and, of course, get involved in all the deck work such as setting and trimming sails.
| Vessel type / Rig | Gaff Ketch |
| Guest Berths | 12 |
| Beam | 22ft |
| Draft | 8.9ft |
| Deck Length | 90ft |
| Overall Length | 124ft |
| Tonnage | 92 tons |
| Year Built | 1915 |
Cape Town is known for many things, amongst them the Table Mountain. In 2013 the Tecla crew made the journey up on the mountain and reckoned it was certainly worth it! From the harbor waterfront, you can see Table mountain as a back drop of the Tecla while she is moored there. The Waterfront is a beautiful place to be. With many opportunities for shopping, having a drink on a nice terrace and getting into some markets with the finest foods, it’s worth arriving a bit early for your voyage to give yourself chance to explore.
With many miles ahead of you, sail will be set and the traditional ‘S turn’ will be used to sail with the wind from the South Atlantic into the North Atlantic. Crossing the equator is a true experience. The changing weather, with changing clouds and winds until there is mostly sunshine and hardly a breeze when you meet Neptune!
With so many days at sea watches will become part of your day to day rhythm and sail changes will be your exercise of the day.
On the Azores the Tecla will be moored in Horta on the island Faial. Horta is THE place to be for sailors who have crossed an ocean. And you will be one of the few there who have actually crossed two! Most of the sailors there are heading back from the Caribbean and most of them meet in the bar called Peter Sport, just opposite the harbor.
Be sure to assist the crew in leaving a painting of Tecla on the quay in Horta, where you’ll also see murals from many other ships which have passed through over the years.
This is a big ocean voyage, and you should be prepared for some swell. Within a few days of being on board you will have become used to the movement of the ship, and how to get around her safely. The crew will be using forecasting and weather routing to avoid the worst of the weather, but sometimes things can be unpredictable, so be prepared for all eventualities.
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.
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 the vessel pages.
Every customer sailing with us will need to fill in basic medical questions on their booking application. If you are not sure if your current level of fitness and agility are up to a voyage, then please ring the Classic Sailing Office on 01326 53 1234 and we can chat through your concerns and possibly find options that might suit you better.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
For vessels using Cape Town, it is likely you will be joining your ship in the Victoria and Albert docks area.
Any changes will be communicated to you before your voyage start date. Make sure you make a note of the ship’s number found in your confirmation email in case of any problems on the day.
Located on the shore of Table Bay, Cape Town was originally developed by the Dutch East India Company as a victualling station for Dutch ships sailing to Eastern Africa, as such Cape Town is a very historic port of call for a ship such as Europa. Cape Town has continued to be a classic stopping point for many ocean wanderers, from tall ships to modern race boats and commercial shipping. It is now the Provincial Capital of the Western Cape and the second most populous city in South Africa. Legal tender is the Rand and most major credit cards are accepted throughout.
Travel Guide: Horta, Azores
How to Get There
Getting to Horta, Azores depends on your starting point. Here’s a general guide:
From the UK and Europe: Flying is the most direct option. Usually, you’ll find a flight to Lisbon and from there catch a connecting flight to Horta Airport.
From North America: Flights often transit through Lisbon. Some major U.S. cities offer direct flights to Lisbon, from where you can get a connecting flight to Horta.
From Australia: Be prepared for at least one layover, typically in a major European city like London or Lisbon. Then continue with a smaller flight to Horta.
Since Horta is an island, there are no trains or buses going there directly. However, if you’re already in the Azores, you can take a ferry to Horta. On the island itself, coaches and buses are more for tours rather than transit from other places.
What to Do in Horta
History: Visit the Horta Museum to delve into the island’s rich maritime past. Peter Café Sport is also worth a visit; it has been serving sailors for more than 100 years.
Culture: Experience local festivals like the Semana do Mar, which celebrates the region’s maritime heritage.
Sites of Interest to a Sailor: The marina in Horta is a key stopping point for transatlantic yachts. You’ll also find a variety of sailing tours that offer a different perspective of the island.
Entertainment: For a small place, Horta has a lively nightlife scene. Expect a relaxed atmosphere, local music, and friendly bars.
Eating Out: Seafood is king in Horta. Restaurants by the marina offer not only fresh catch but also incredible views.
Nature: Horta offers stunning natural beauty. From hiking trails to volcanic landscapes and whale watching, there’s plenty for outdoor enthusiasts to explore.
Unique Features: One unique feature is the sailor’s tradition of painting a mural on the marina wall before setting sail again. It gives Horta a communal feel that’s quite special.
Special Interests
If you have a special interest that you would like to find out about for this port or to tell us about, we would love to hear from you.
Sustainable Travel Carbon Offset Schemes
By selecting sustainable travel options and actively participating in carbon offset initiatives, you can make a positive impact while journeying to or from your voyage.
Here are some suggestions for carbon offset websites.
UK: One popular carbon offset website in the UK is “Clear” who offer a range of carbon offset projects and solutions for individuals, businesses, and organisations. They provide detailed information about their projects and allow users to calculate and offset their carbon footprint online.
North America: In North America, “Terrapass” is a well-known carbon offset website. Terrapass offers carbon offset projects across the United States and Canada. They provide options for individuals, businesses, and events to calculate and offset their carbon emissions. Terrapass also offers additional resources and information on sustainable living.
Europe: A popular carbon offset website in Europe is “MyClimate.” MyClimate provides carbon offset projects and solutions for individuals, businesses, and travel. They offer a carbon footprint calculator and allow users to support various sustainable projects worldwide. MyClimate focuses on promoting climate protection and sustainability.
Australia: “Greenfleet” is a prominent carbon offset website in Australia. Greenfleet focuses on planting native forests to offset carbon emissions. They offer individuals and businesses the opportunity to calculate and offset their carbon footprint by contributing to tree planting projects across Australia. Greenfleet provides detailed information about their projects and the positive environmental impacts they create.
Please note that these carbon offset websites may vary over time, so it is recommended to research and explore multiple options to find the most suitable one for your needs.
If any of these links do not work it would be kind of you to inform us, many thanks.
Not all sailing areas require the same gear, the same foul weather equipment or even the same shorts. But some items you must always bring. In this kit list we hope to give you a small insight in what to bring, but of course, please consider this list might not encumber all that you would wish to take!
Very important is that your bag or small suitcase needs to be stored in the room, under your bed, there is limited space – so bring a foldable bag! the following is Tecla's standard included/excluded and kit list. Below this you can find more specific info and kit lists dependant on sailing area.
When the ocean crossing is not part of the Southern Ocean sailing (so no South Georgia or Antarctica included) the crossings are usually in warm weather. Going from North to South, please be advised that the weather in the Falkland Islands is cool and wet! So also bring at
least one set of warm clothing.
If there are any items you usually take on your hikes, and they are easy to take in your luggage, don’t forget to bring them!
On the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica there are different levels of Bio-Security we will have to comply with. To make it easy on yourself we recommend you bring one set of hiking gear that you would like to use on shore, that is completely cleaned at home. This means Velcro is cleaned and does not contain any seeds or pollen. Your pockets are empty of any seeds, pollen, sand etc. Your boots are cleaned, no sand or mud on them.
This way, getting ready for the first landing becomes a walk in the park. For more information on Bio Security, please contact us.
These surroundings can be very cold, especially on longer watches. And also because these areas are protected, we ask you to take at least two sets of wet weather gear, with one of them at least completely clean. If you have sailing gear, perfect, but also bring some light weight, waterproof hiking gear. We recommend goretex pro of any brand. This is tough and durable. Often easy to clean and light weight.
In the cold, making layers is important. If there is no rain, most 800gr down jackets with a merino wool layer underneath are warm enough. If it rains, most jackets do not fit over the down jacket. Therefore we recommend layer one merino wool, layer two a woollen sweater, layer three a thinner down jacket or wind stopper and layer four your water proof jacket.
Of course we understand that not everybody has these items in their closet. Please contact us if you are unsure what to pack.
Summer in the Northern Territories of Canada can be cold, but they can be beautiful and warm as well. During the 2019 voyage we have had days of 2 degrees and days of 19 degrees. We had nights of 0 degrees, but also nights with a warm land breeze, where a woollen sweater and merino under layer were enough.
This trip fulfilled my desire for adventure sailing as we transited the north coast of Iceland, along the Arctic Circle. Even though it was rough, the boat and crew performed admirably.
Bruce
An enjoyable week in less than ideal weather conditions. The crew were competent and friendly, the catering excellent. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a voyage on Tecla.
Jonathan
A great mix of sailing in Scottish waters, some super hikes and an opportunity to see some of the immensely important historical sites in the Orkneys and Sheltands.
Mooring alongside in the Fair Isles was a great privilege.
The ocean passage to the Faroes was quiet but as a result we were blessed with clear skies whilst slinking in and out of the islands and some of the best coastal views one could hope to see anywhere.
The ocean passage to Iceland was a bit of a bimble until we were 60 miles off and then it got exciting. Thanks to a great skipper and permanent crew we snuggled into a fjord whilst the cruise ship ran aground in Reykjavik harbour. A good holiday, an adventure and fun.
K
Any initial doubts as to the number and experience of the crew were very quickly dispelled and we were impressed with the knowledge and the handling skills of the skipper and the 2 mates. Every opportunity was taken to enhance our enjoyment on both voyages and at every stage we were made to feel relaxed and under no obligation to crew the ship under sometimes testing (but enjoyable) conditions. As an observation, we must congratulate the skipper for her culinary skills under difficult conditions..........the food was perfect for the voyage.
Geoff
A delight. A competent and engaging professional crew, an interesting voyage with some challenges and some great rewards. Good companions to make the log spin around.
Mike
Brilliant. I would do it again tomorrow. And good value too. The food was excellent. I loved the spicy meatballs and my wife loved the fresh langoustines.
Steve
Most enjoyable classic sailing with great food, a true sense of teamwork, great guidance and a good sense of humour. Can't get any better.
Thomas
Globe trotting Tall Ship Tecla in action and images. This historic gaff ketch is our Iceland Specialist and also has Greenland Sailing Expeditions. Photos from Classic Sailing customers, ships crew and professional photographers. We hope it gives a flavour of her sailing, life on board, the people that come, her beautiful sailing grounds and what it is like to live below decks.
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