Penzance to Plymouth Cargo Run on Grayhound GR200623

Embark	Disembark	Vessel	Duration	Voyage No
Tue 20-06-2023, 15:00Penzance, Cornwall	Fri 23-06-2023, 10:00Plymouth, UK	Grayhound	3 Nights	GR200623

Voyage Description

An Introduction to Grayhound

GRAYHOUND is one of the largest sailing luggers in the world today. She was built in Cornwall in 2012 and has a 20m long hull, is 33m overall and a canvas area of 470 square meters. The original plans were those of a three masted lugger from 1776. Luggers from that time were built for speed and swiftness ideal for privateering, smuggling…or for hunting the latter! “Pirate hand-break turns” and cannon firing is always on the menu on Grayhound!

As voyage crew you do not have to have any prior sailing experience or knowledge to join on Grayhound. A positive attitude and a wish for adventure is all! Our experienced crew will make sure that you comfortably and eagerly hoist the sails, make fast the ropes, participate in the manoeuvres, steer the ship and ready the anchor. It is all hands-on and you will be a crucial part of getting to our desired destination. You will learn fast while enjoying the feeling of freedom the ship offers as you get humbled by the sea.

Some of the trips are more demanding than others. Make sure to read the voyage descriptions properly before you book your adventure. If you feel unsure please contact us and ask for further information. Classic Sailing +44 1326 53 1234

FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

Sail along the epic coast of Cornwall from Penzance to Plymouth ladened with cargo from afar! It will be all hands on deck as you deliver olive oil, rice & cacao products curtesy of our friends at New Dawn Traders and Sail Trade South West!

Embarking from Penzance where cargo has been loaded and landed for 100’s of years, you’ll sail past the stunning St Michaels Mount. Benedictine monks built the church and priory back in the 1100’s. These still remain part of the St Michaels Mount castle complex today,

From there, you’ll head South East rounding the Lizard peninsular – the most southerly point of the British mainland before passing Falmouth and later Charlestown and Fowey – all favourite spots for many of our Classic Sailing fleet -who knows who you might spot on along the way!

Once you reach the Plymouth breakwater you’ll be welcomed and joined by the only operational Tamar River Barge in the world -‘Lynher of Cremyll’. Built in 1896, Lynher and her sister ships carried cargo and passengers throughout the Plymouth waterways, originally bringing inland farm produce to the town on market day and returning with commodities for the small villages and hamlets back upstream. Lynher and her crew will join you as you unload cargo in Plymouth followed by a well deserve pint or some rum!

Eye of the Wind is one of only a few tall ships that still have stun sails — Sailing over “The Bridge” in Plymouth Sound

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

It is easy to feel you are in a historical movie as you sail the coastline of Cornwall. You can imagine pirates and privateer ships sneaking into creeks and darting out to attack ships for rich pickings. Smuggling was once rife here as there are so many wooded rivers you can sail quite big ships up. Rounding the Lizard can be a challenge and if you were to head closer to Falmouth you’d come across an underwater rock formations known as the Manacles that can disturb the waters and make for an interesting leg of the journey. The captain and crew know the waters well however and are experienced in interpreting the wind, weather and tide to navigate the area safely. Once in Plymouth and beyond the Breakwater, you’re very sheltered from the elements but good watchkeeping is essential as there are lots of naval and pleasure craft operating within the Sound.

HANDS ON HOLIDAYS

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. Handling cargo adds an extra dimension – building teamwork and communication skills and leaving you with a great sense of achievement.

SAILING STYLE & LIFE ON BOARD

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.

Best rum in the caribbean — Barnpool, Cremyll

Start & End Port

Penzance, Cornwall

Penzance harbour is the home port of the Car and Passenger Ferry to the Scillies. There is only one ferry called the Scillionian – a very distinctive white vessel that moors up on the seaward Pier to the Penzance Wet Dock. If the ferry is in port you can usually see it accross the harbour from the Penzance Railway Station car park.

The outer harbour is tidal and dries out to mud so the wet dock is the place that Classic Sailing vessels will use to start or end your voyage, so if you head for the Penzance – Scilly Ferry on foot or follow the road signs for the Scillionian Ferry you will find the Wet Dock. Next door is the famous Penzance Swimming Lido with bright blue flags.

The Penzance Wet Dock has a lock gate that can only be entered 1.5 hrs before or after high water, and the entrance is exposed to Southerly or SE gales, so it is possible the skipper of your vessel may have to dock in the nearby fishing port of Newlyn.

Adam Purser

Plymouth, UK

There are several marina docks in Plymouth.

For Pegasus, Johanna Lucretia and Moosk: Please meet at “the Hanger Car Park” in Plymouth Yacht Haven car park, Turnchapel. PL9 9XH (See below for directions – Parking in the marina is free.)

For Grayhound: voyages will start from Mayflower Marina, Richmond Walk. If it is any different you will be informed by the skipper before the day of arrival. She is often the only wooden masted ship in this harbour, so it will be easy to spot her three black masts. Address: Richmond Walk, Plymouth PL1 4LS. – see info below.

Mayflower Marina – for Grayhound

Mayflower Marina is to the west of the city centre, and has some long pontoons so is often used for our larger vessels. It is only about a 10 minute taxi from Plymouth Railway Station. There is secure parking within the marina for a daily parking fee.

MARINA ACCESS & ON SITE CAR PARKING
Vehicular access to the marina is restricted by a car park barrier, there is a card reader / intercom pedestal. If you do not have an access fob please follow the instructions on the intercom pedestal.

Car park charges are two hours free then £1 for 1 hour over the free period, £2 for 2 hours over the free period and then £5 for up to 22 hours after the free period. It is requested that the owners of parked cars leave their keys in the marina office in case the car has to be moved for operational reasons.

Mayflower Marina Office 01752 556633 Richmond Walk, Plymouth PL1 4LS

Plymouth Yacht Haven /Mountbatten Marina / Turnchapel – for Pegasus, Moosk and Johanna Lucretia

This marina has had several changes of name over the years so you may find skippers referring to it as Turnchapel / Mountbatten Marina – Allow at least 25 minutes to get from A38 Marsh Mills Roundabout Plymouth city centre exit road to Turnchapel by car. It does have FREE long term parking in the marina.

If you are travelling by public transport the most direct route is a 10 minute yellow ferry (foot passengers only) from the Barbican Pub straight to Mountbatten next to Plymouth Yacht Haven. A taxi ride all the way around the Plym estuary would be quite expensive. See Mountbatten Ferry website for ferry mobile phone or enquiries www.mountbattenferry.co.uk

The postcode for Sat Nav users is PL9 9XH / Google maps

Directions:

Turn left off A38 at Marsh Mills roundabout onto A374 signed Plymouth City Centre.
After 1 1/4 mile get into left hand lane and follow signs for Kingsbridge A379.
This takes you across Laira Bridge where you will see the first signs for Mount Batten and Turnchapel.
After crossing the Laira Bridge, at the first roundabout turn right.
At the next roundabout (mini) take the second exit, cross pedestrian lights, and continue straight on until traffic lights at crossroads.
Turn right and then go straight through a second set of lights.
Keep on this road (for approx 1 1/2 miles) until you come to a roundabout.
Turn right into Plymouth Yacht Haven.

View a Map of the location

Kit List

What to pack for a sailing holiday on Grayhound

What is included

Duvets, linen, pillows
Sailing instruction
All meals on board (professional chef)
Tea, coffee, biscuits, fruit and day time snacks.
Night watch snacks (if applicable)
You don't have to do the cleaning, but help with the washing up is always appreciated.
Waterproof and insulated jackets and trousers
Life Jacket and safety equipment, we also have child automatic life jackets.
Charging facilities for phones, cameras and tablets etc.

What is not included

Towels
Travel to joining port
Tours, shore expeditions with any hire vehicle or local guide (optional & shared costs)
Personal travel insurance See Topsail Insurance LINK
There is no bar on board so you might like to bring a bottle or two of wine to enjoy with meals. You can also buy organic sailed cargo wine, red, white and rose onboard.

What to Bring

Don't forget, Grayhound is 108ft overall so she will not always fit into small yacht marinas and she will often have to anchor off in the bay or port. Be prepared to get into a small boat with your luggage and pack sensibly protecting any vulnerable items like cameras. Grayhound has waterproof and insulated flotation jackets and trousers on board which are very warm. In summer or hot locations you may wish to bring some lightweight waterproofs. Even in the Caribbean you can get tropical downpours or spray on deck when sailing in strong winds. A mobile phone so you can ring the ship in an emergency or if you are running late on joining day. Also it means we can contact you if we have to change the joining port for any reason. Grayhound's phone number will always be supplied with your balance confirmation e-mail. Shoes with a good grip for deck & aloft Rubber Boots or second pair of shoes for wet weather or getting in/out of dinghies Swim suit & beach towel. You are welcome to bring snorkel and mask - especially worth it in the Caribbean or Cape Verde. Suntan lotion & sunglasses - consider sunblock and lip salve protection in Canaries, Cape Verde, Trans Altantic, Caribbean. Sun hat / warm hat, scarves, gloves Clothes that dry quickly. Mix of warm, waterproof & windproof layers Small rucksack for going ashore Travel insurance documents/tickets Personal medicines/ spectacles Spending money/passport Camera/binoculars etc Phone chargers. 240 generator on board UK three pin sockets. We welcome musical instruments and you can plug in ipods or CDs into ships stereo. There are storage areas for each bunk . Please pack in a soft rucksack or bag. A torch is useful as a few baggage spaces are at the foot of bunks with reading light at other end. There is no alcohol to buy on board, so you are welcome to bring a bottle or two to drink with meals. If you decide to buy some on arrival You can also buy Grayhound t shirts, mugs and Breton tops from our ship's shop we accept pounds or euros.

Review

Thank you so much to all the Grayhound crew for an unforgettable adventure. I cannot imagine a kinder and better crew with which to sail.
Caroline

Thanks all for a great time, I really enjoyed it. Fastest Channel crossing I have managed!
Barney

An unforgettable experience
Jonathon

We've had two idyllic sailing trips. One particularly fantastic day scrambling over big volcanic rocks down a deep craggy valley to a black sand beach with dramatically high cliffs. Grayhound was waiting, attracting attention because she's so beautiful and unique. Swimming out to her in the clear waters o the Atlantic rates as one of life's highlights.
Grayhound Guest

Fantastic, exhilarating and an honour to be on such a ship.
Des

Excellent company of genuine all round sailors. The wind in my face and the swell beneath. 5 stars for welcome, accommodation on board, safety, quality of sailing, food, skipper and crew.
Barry

Outstanding and unforgettable experience. Loved learning the lug rig, meeting the crew and other guests, playing an active role on board.
Charlie

Brilliant sail on an interesting boat with friendly and knowledgeable people.
Steve

learning to steer at a young age on Grayhound

Vessel Gallery

Three masted lugger Grayhound is a unique sight and a joy to take photos of. Not only does she look very unusual as it is a rig not seen much now, she has a mission to deliver cargoes under sail, so she is the darling of the press. 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.