A real tall ship adventure sailing from and back to Plymouth

IDEAL VOYAGE FOR…

Frazzled adults that are celebrating the end of the summer holidays, anyone who likes the West Country a little less busy and those sailors who appreciate the beauty of a topsail schooner under full sail.There is nothing nicer than not having a set agenda in the summer. You can choose to sail to a destination that offers the best sailing for the day, or strike out or a more distant destination, with a rough plan for the week. The whole Devon and Cornwall coastline is one of headlands, river estuaries and drowned river valleys that cut deep inland.

 

VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS

• Adults treat yourself after the school holidays
• 5 days hopping along the Devon and Cornish coast
• seas warm enough to swim and dive off boat at anchor
• only max 11 crew and 4 professional crew
• Impressive tall ship to sail but not too big
• opportunity to improve sailing skills or just enjoy time out
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FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

Freedom of the Seas – Escape Time

This is a great 5 night – 6 days away and includes all meals on board, sailing instruction, and activities on board and ashore along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall. It is a round trip – All you need to do is get to Plymouth (see our port page for details). It does take a bit of bottle to do something new, but everybody usually comes as an individual, so you are all new crew together.

Where will she sail?

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 and most idyllic or sheltered anchors and ports. You have to go with Mother Nature, not fight her. The places described below is based on what we think might be possible, based on past trips, or experience, but you have to go with the wind….

Plymouth Sound – Flat Water – Lots of Yachts and Shipping

There are a few great places for a BBQ withing the Plymouth Breakwater, like Barn Pool or up the River Lynher or Tamar, but once you have set sail and practiced a few manourvres the ship will probably head out to sea where you don’t have to dodge fleets of racing yachts and naval ships. 

Cawsand is just outside the port but quite remote, with a great beach. The village sits on the border between Cornwall and Devon.

West to Cornwall – Land of Privateers & Poldark

It is easy to feel you are in a historical movie as you sail this coastline. 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. Fowey is a day sail away from Plymouth and Helford River and Falmouth Estuary might take a couple of hops.

Wildlife on the Edge of the Atlantic

The Channel is wide here and after a South Westerly all sorts of ocean birds and marine wildlife can sweep in from the Atlantic Ocean. Sunfish, bottlenosed and common dolphins, pilot whales, diving gannets. The Western Grey seals breed in sea caves and remote beaches in August – September so you may see the young seals on rocks learning to wiggle into the sea and swim.

East to Devon

If the winds for the week look better to head for Devon, then you have some interesting ports to navigate into like Salcombe and Dartmouth. There are also some unspoilt river entrances and many small sandy coves to anchor off. Take the dinghy ashore and there will always to footpaths to the cliff tops or into the woods and countryside. 

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.

AGILITY & FITNESS

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.

Kit List

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.

 

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

 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 

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

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