An exciting opportunity to build sea time, sailing 125 miles aboard a traditionally rigged topsail schooner.
You will form a real part of the crew, joining in with all aspects of life on board from helming and navigation to cooking, keeping the boat clean and tidy.
This is an real, active, immersive sailing experience! Join a navigational watch and be hands-on, mucking in with all deck work whatever the weather – and all the more fun for it! Plus Johanna Lucretia’s fellow Island Trust vessel Moosk will be sailing the same route at the same time. Prepare for a little friendly competitiveness!
Minimum age 18yrs+
Voyage
Vessel
Voyage highlights …
Sail a unique topsail schooner
Get stuck in to life on board
Fantastic wildlife spotting opportunities
Great mile-builder
Tuition from a friendly and experienced crew
Join a navigational watch and have the opportunity to experience night sailing
You’ll step aboard at 1600, and get to know your fellow crew, as well as being given a safety familiarisation and a briefing from the skipper based on the latest weather forecast. Departure may be immediate or there might be some time alongside, depending on the forecast. Either way you’ll soon be getting stuck in alongside the ship’s permanent crew, and getting to know your way around the lines on deck!
Along the Way
With chalk cliffs giving way to the red of the Jurassic Coast, you’ll sail the best bits of the South Coast in terms of landscape and scenery, blasting past Hurst Castle and the Needles, Portland Bill, Golden Cap, Lyme Bay and the cliffs at Ladram and Beer.
All while being fully involved in sailing Johanna Lucretia; helming, setting, trimming and stowing sails and keeping watch. You’ll be amazed how strongly a crew can gel in just 3 days!
Arrival in Plymouth
PLEASE NOTE the expected arrival time in Plymouth is not guaranteed and is weather and sea conditions dependent. To allow for a later arrival we recommend making flexible onward travel plans.
If these travel plans allow, Plymouth is a wonderfully historic port with lots to explore, so do spend some time in the city if you can! Take a walk up to the Hoe for fantastic views of Plymouth Sound, visit the Mayflower steps and the historic Barbican.
WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER
On a sailing voyage we never use the word itinerary as skippers will always be aiming for the best sailing and shore landings for the forecast whilst visiting idyllic anchors and ports. They are as keen as you to include some of the highlights described above and hopefully Mother Nature will be kind and provide perfect sailing weather for this specific voyage.
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.
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.
Start & End Port
Cowes, Isle of Wight
Cowes Yacht Haven is the likely joining place.
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.
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.
What to pack for a sailing holiday on Johanna Lucretia
Included
Bed linen, duvet and pillow
Life jackets and harness lines
Offshore waterproof jackets and trousers.
What's Not Included
Alcohol to have with meals when not sailing.
What to Bring
Please limit yourself to one soft bag or rucksack (no suitcases!) as there is limited storage space on board.
Hats for sun and cold weather.
At least two sets of warm clothes - layers e.g. tracksuit bottoms, shirts, fleece jacket, wool jumpers, thick socks, and neck scarf. It can get cold at sea even in mid summer.
Swim suit, towel, and suntan lotion.
Flat shoes with a good grip e.g. trainers or sailing deck shoes. Sailing boots or wellies as the sea can come over deck if rough.
(An alternative to boots in summer is to bring another pair of flat shoes with a good grip in case the first pair get wet).
All terrain type Sandals are great for dinghy trips ashore – but you do need shoes which protect your toes for sailing.
Camera, binoculars, sketchbook, a relaxing read.
Passport for all Voyages. (UK Customs Vessels can do spot checks anywhere around the coast, even if the ship is not going abroad. If you don't have a passport please contact us for advice)
(an EHIC Form from Post Office - Reciprocal Free Health Care in Europe)
Any medication, spare spectacles. Seasick tablets - check with your Doctor, which brand if you suffer from asthma or are on medication.
Musical instruments are always welcome.
A small amount of alcohol to have onboard during meals, when not sailing.
Review
Meeting a wonderful professional crew. The boat was beautiful and the care taken to make the trip engaging, fun and exciting was brilliant. The catering was top notch and the dining arrangements ideal to chat, laugh and become friends with all on board.
The crew of the Johanna Lucretia could not have been better. High professional standards combined with a friendly welcoming approach. Who could ask for more? - By Susan L. Guest Crew 2019
Johanna Lucretia under sail by Susan Lazer
There was no 'best bit' - it was all marvellous! Loved the sailing, the food, the company, the time ashore - and we had really lovely weather, which helped!
The enthusiasm of the crew, both for the Johanna Lucretia and for the work of the Island Trust, was infectious. The fact that they clearly enjoyed sailing and teaching others how to sail made all the difference for us 'first timers'.
"Totally excellent. I can not praise the crew enough, rarely do you find four individuals so well suited to their occupation. What ever was happening they were more than willing to show and explain what was happening and what to do. I learnt a lot. The food was always brilliant even under some quite rough conditions.
It would be good if it could be arranged so as we could climb aloft to enhance the experience even further.
I will certainly be back for another voyage!" - Isles of Scilly Trip on Johanna Lucretia
Vessel Gallery
We would love to see your photos of Johanna Lucretia if you have sailed on her in her long life as a charter and sail training vessel
