A Tall Ship Adventure Exploring the South Coast of England
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Embark
Disembark
Vessel
Duration
Voyage No
Sun 04-05-2025, 12:00Plymouth, UK
Fri 09-05-2025, 12:00Plymouth, UK
Johanna Lucretia
5 Nights
JL040525
This is an opportunity for adults to experience life on board, where the whole crew is responsible for all aspects of running the boat, from helming and navigation to cooking, keeping the boat clean and tidy, getting the sails up and rowing ashore. No previous sailing experience is necessary. Sail in the magnificent waters along the south Devon and south Cornwall coast, sailing east or west depending on the weather conditions, there are plenty of hidden coves, tiny islands and harbours with places to fish, swim, visit beaches and have barbecues.
A fantastic active holiday, getting stuck in as part of the crew, and visiting some real gems of the South Coast before the summer hordes arrive!
Minimum age 20yrs+
Voyage
Vessel
Voyage highlights …
Sail a unique topsail schooner
Round trip from Plymouth makes travel planning a doddle
This is an ideal voyage for a taste of sailing a traditional boat at her best. A round trip with a flexible itinerary gives the crew the chance to pick the best sailing directions for the conditions, and you can help Johanna Lucretia to fly!
The ship’s crew are all pros at sail training, so you will receive expert and friendly tuition to help you learn the ropes and have a blast.
Embarking in Plymouth
You’ll step aboard at midday, and enjoy lunch with the crew and a safety familiarisation before setting sail. Plymouth is a wonderfully historic port in which to join a ship! If you have time in the morning before embarking, take a walk up to the Hoe for fantastic views of Plymouth Sound, visit the Mayflower steps and the historic Barbican.
Some Possible Stopovers…
The options for exploration from Plymouth are extensive, but some possible stopovers are:
Nearby Cawsand
A great option after your first afternoon’s sailing, Cawsand lies on the edge of Plymouth sound. It has a great sandy beach and an impressive number of pubs for the size of the village!
Salcombe
Salcombe and its beautiful harbour set in a stunning natural environment designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is only a few miles across the Devon border. Salcombe has become a very popular weekend destination for sailors and visitors alike looking to get away from it all!
Despite becoming a vibrant, busy little town, Salcombe still manages to retain its unique Devon charm! The entrance is dramatic with high spiky cliffs and a sandbar to cross. There are sandy coves on each side of this drowned river valley and some very attractive town houses that were once the rich rewards for sea captains and merchants.
Brixham
A picture postcard fishing port with pretty colour-washed fishermen’s cottages rising up around the old harbour, which is home to heritage vessels and classic sailing boats as well as fishing trawlers. Nearby Berry Head, a dramatic limestone headland, is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is home to a sea bird colony of guillemots and black legged kittiwakes and lots of kestrels and gulls. You often get an escort of dolphins or porpoises here, so make sure you are up on deck with your camera to get some great shots of the amazing sea life.
Fowey
Fowey is a drowned river valley or ria, with the bustling and sophisticated town of Fowey on one side of the river valley and the equally historic backstreets and inns of Polruan on the East bank. There is always plenty to see on the water with China Clay ships almost filling the harbour when they come in, yachts and visiting tall ships make use of the deep water moorings and local keel boats and dinghies race amongst the moorings.
Once the home of Fowey Gallants, a fearsome bunch of pirates and privateers, Fowey is also well known as the home and inspiration for author Daphne Du Maurier.
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
Plymouth, UK
Plymouth is dubbed ‘Britain’s Ocean City’ and for good reason. It has huge significance for the UK’s maritime heritage, and the Royal Navy are still primarily based here.
Kit List
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
