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Training

Each voyage starts with a thorough safety brief, which continues throughout your voyage. You’re encouraged to get involved with as much as possible while onboard and may have the opportunity to work towards an RYA qualification.

For most voyages you need no previous sailing experience. You’ll also be issued with a lifejacket and waterproofs for the duration of your voyage.

Youth Crew (12 15) featured
Watches image

Watches (teams)

You’ll be divided into two watches (teams). Your Watch Leader and other members of the crew will teach you how to do things while you’re on duty and you’ll get involved with some or all of the following:

  • Steering the vessel (onboard we call this helming)
  • Raising and adjusting the sails (hoisting and setting them)
  • Operating the winches
  • Looking out for other ships (standing watch)
  • General maintenance onboard
  • Helping with the vessel leaving and entering port
  • Getting involved in ‘Happy Hour’ (that’s cleaning!)

You’ll always be supported by our professional crew and trained volunteers. You’ll be encouraged to participate as much as possible,  including taking your turn in ‘Happy Hour’.

Food

All meals onboard are included in your voyage fee. You’re likely to eat in the saloon and will help prepare food and do some of the washing up.

You’ll be working hard during the voyage, so we make sure you have plenty of delicious food to keep your hunger at bay.

You can also help yourself to hot and cold drinks at all times.

We can cater for special dietary requirements. Please let us know about these when booking.

Life onboard featured

Free time and going ashore

You’ll have plenty of time to relax and rest. When you enter ports you should be able to explore ashore with a chance to shop and stock up on supplies.

Quote marks

I had a rough start to the day - feeling homesick- but gradually felt better due to the support of the crew and staff.

Kit, 13

A typical day onboard

Morning
  • Wake up early to make the most of the day
  • Join friends in the saloon for a hearty breakfast
  • Head up on deck and help prepare the yacht for sea
  • Work with the team to hoist the main sail up the mast
  • Wind the winches to trim the sails​
Midday
  • Help prepare lunch and tuck in with your crew
Afternoon
  • Have a go at steering the yacht
  • Learn to tack (turn) the boat as a team
  • Take in the sights along the shore and chat with newfound friends onboard
  • Help to take the sails down and clean the boat
  • Help moor the boat alongside in the port
  • Prepare dinner and tuck in
  • Jump into your bunk for a well-earned rest!​

Safety

All voyage crew undergo thorough safety training and vessel familiarisation before setting sail.

Lifejackets with integral harnesses and good quality waterproofs are provided. Codes of conduct are in place and our sailing staff will ensure a positive, supportive and encouraging atmosphere is maintained throughout the voyage.

Skipper's top tips

Sailing can be fun and hard work all at once
Sailing sometimes means starting early in the morning or having a late nights
Being on a boat is different to your home, electricity is not unlimited and neither is water so we need to conserve
We care about our environment and how we collect and dispose of our rubbish
Mobile phones don’t work at sea, they'll distract you and you won't get the best out of the week. Leave at home or in you locker as you won’t be using during the voyage
The tide and weather stops for nobody
Be well rested before you come on your voyage — you'll use loads of energy!
You'll do things you never knew you could do
Bring a bag for your laundry
A microfibre towel is best as it's quick drying
To get the most out of the week be open to ideas and new ways of thinking. Remember your mind is like a parachute, it works best when it's open

Voyage crew handbooks

handbook challenger

Challenger Handbook

Download

handbook ketch

Ketch Handbook

Download