Tall Ships Race, Square Rig Tasters to Ocean Crossings

An Introduction to Tall Ship Crewing

Have you ever imagined sailing on a tall ship as ‘hands on’ crew ? Picture yourself steering hundreds of tons of wind powered sailing ship across an ocean with a spoked wheel ? or get a buzz from climbing aloft and stowing sails standing on a swinging foot rope with your new ship mates ?

It’s a myth that only the young or ‘naughty’ youth can sail on square riggers and large traditional sailing vessels. There are plenty of impressive tall ships of all sizes around the world that offer adventures for adults and young people. Classic Sailing currently has tall ship holidays on brigs, barques, barquentines, brigantines, large gaff rigged ketches and schooners from 2 day tasters to ocean journeys of several legs following the trade winds around the globe.

Read more about what it is like to climb the rigging on a tall ship - with photos

Expert advice to help you book

Classic Sailing office staff have sailed over 15 tall ships as crew so we can give your first hand advice –whether you are trying a tall ship sailing holiday for the first time, looking for a challenging square rig experience or a real romantic wanting live out a Patrick O’ Brien novel.

Call Debbie, Georgia, Becky or Adam on 01872 580022

Tall Ship Epics - Antarctica

If you are looking for GAP year or adult career break ideas  then magnificent barque Europa sails between the Northern and Southern hemisphere each year and specialises in Antarctic sailing and wildlife expeditions. If you have been enthralled by the BBC Frozen Planet, you could be aloft on a ship like Shackleton's HMS Endurance watching humpback whales dive under the ship.

Tall Ship Races 2013

Read more about what to expect ocean sailing on a square rigger

Day Sails & Taster Voyages

No flights needed for high adventure around our shores. There are a few short taster tall ship voyages around the UK coast on British square riggers Stavros S Niarchos, Lord Nelson and Tenacious. 

In Scotland Bessie Ellen offers a more intimate tall ships adventure for 3 days with only 12 guest crew.

Three masted barques Lord Nelson or Tenacious are tall ships built to take disabled and able bodied people sailing as crew and have many short voyages around the UK this summer 2012, including day sails that several generations can join in together from the age of 12 upwards.

PERFECT GIFT Tall Ship Day Sails from £109 to £135

UK Tall Ship tasters on a square rigger from £329 for 4 days

Tall Ship Tasters from Rotterdam on Oosterschelde from €380 Euros (approx £320) for 3 days

Smaller Tall ship Bessie Ellen has 3 day tasters from Oban, Scotland for £399

Winter Sun at sea

Topsail schooner Oosterschelde is returning to Cape Verde archipelago next winter 2012-13. Reliable trade winds, great sailing between islands - some just a day sail apart and others a good 100 mile blast in tropical sun. Direct flights from the UK. Escape for Christmas and New Year.

The magnificent wooden barque Tenacious will be heading south to explore the Mediterranean this winter. Visit the vibrant Balearic Islands, the tranquil Aoelian Islands or the Cosmopolitan French Riviera.

 >>More on Tall Ship Tasters, mini ocean passages & Winter Sun

Become Tall Ships Race Crew

International Tall Ships Races are organised in deiiferent locations each year. There will be one or occasionally two tall ships race events held in Europe.  In 2013 there is also a 'one off' tall ships race in Austalia and New Zealand not to be missed.

Classic Sailing have tall ships race berths on Tenacious and Stavros S Niarchos in the Baltic in 2013.

Barque Europa,  three masted schooner Oosterschelde and Lord Nelson are sailing around the world to take part in the tall ships races in Australia and New Zealand.

Most legs will have opportunities for tall ship crew of all ages to take part. Stavros S Niarchos usually sails with only youth crews for tall ships races but in 2013 have decided to make leg 1 to Finland open to race crew aged 18-75.

Full training will be given so a complete newcomer to sailing can take part. These voyages are fairly 'full on' sailing so you need to be confident about your fitness and stamina.They also fill up fast so ring us soon.

 ‘Adventure: Earths Most Thrilling Experiences’  is a 250 page travel book produced by Time Out Guides Ltd

Read one of their adrenalin choices: "Crew a Tall Ship"  by seasoned sailor and journalist Libby Purves 

Ocean Passages & Wildlife Expeditions

If you prefer adventure on the high seas, exploring unspoilt locations ashore and learning about wildlife then have a look at:

Arctic wildlife expeditions to Spitsbergen / Svalbard 2012 on barquentine Antigua are all FULL

11 day Cape Verde expeditions on Oosterschelde (dates for winter 2012-2013)

GAP Year or Career Break on a Tall Ship

Typical Career Break Triggers: Do you recognise any of the following feelings: Burn out, guilt at excess and affluence, sensory overload, mid life crisis(es), freedom from responsibilities, retirement, needing new sense of purpose or fulfilment, children flown the nest, no need to work, shaking out the cobwebs, once in a lifetime goals, can now afford to travel ?
 

Why Live Aboard our vessels as part of a GAP YEAR ? Young or old, there are many lifestyle and career reasons to include sailing on a tall ship as part of your travel plans...and you are travelling ethically using wind power.  There are also opportunities to work with fellow crew with disabilities and a whole load of skills to learn for your CV when you come back.

>> See our suggestions for career break voyages as working crew

 Learn 'Block and Tackle' seamanship on our vessels- tall & small

If you have sailed a square rigger and want to find a smaller vessel with blocks and tackles – we can introduce you to our pilot cutters, Brixham sailing trawlers and other traditionally rigged craft where a tall ship sailor will feel at home, but can progress their boat handling skills on a more intimate scale