Stavros Niarchos Island Hopping in the Azores

Submitted by adam on Mon, 31/08/2009 - 17:36

Description
Itinerary
Starting Port
End Port
Vessel Details

Voyage Number	SSN417
Voyage price	£399 Ages 18-75
Voyage Dates	18/03/2010 - 22:00 - 25/03/2010 - 09:00
Depart from	Ponta Delgada, Azores
Finishing Port	Punta Delgado, Azores
Voyage area	Azores
Voyage type	Adventure Voyage , Tall Ships
Vessel	Stavros Niarchos
Availability	Fully booked

Voyage Description

Azores Archipelago & Atlantic Staging Post for Sailors

Most sailors, travellers and explorers have a facination for islands. The Azores is a challenging sailing ground for yachts and many just stop at the main ports of Ponta Delgado or Horta on their way to the Caribbean. On this unique 7 day tall ship expedition you can enjoy blue water sailing between the widely spaced islands and also anchor off some of the islands that few yachtsmen get the chance to visit. The Stavros S niarchos has substantial anchors to cope with the remote coastlines and deep waters around each Azores island and fast RIBS and ships boats to take you ashore. The Azores (Portugese) have been used as staging posts on the way to the Caribbean or the rest of the world by sailing ships and yachts for centuries. Whaling was an important part of their economy but now whale watching and cetacean research has been embraced by the locals as a way of attracting adventurous visitors to the islands.

The saying “sail South until the butter melts” applies to the winter route southwards to the Azores, before turning a corner westwards to use the SE trade winds to cross the Atlantic. Therefore you can expect a pleasant climate even in the British winter months.

Humbled by Nature

Even on a 500 ton sailing ship there will be times when she will feel a very small vessel. There will be days when you may not see another vessel or sign of modern life –but usually there are ships and fishing vessels to spot. Look out for the world’s ocean wildlife – seabirds like gannets and storm petrels, Whales and large schools of dolphins. This far south you may even see flying fish.

Meet the Islanders

As a winter sailing destination both archipelagoes have many attractions, but the Azores is the more remote location. There are few sheltered ports where you can tie alongside so you need a self sufficent ship like the Stavros as a base. The brigs and their predessors the Malcom Miller & Winston Churchill have been to the Azores probably more than most passing sail training ships, and the ships operators have good local contacts ashore, so you will be made very welcome. You do need a certain resilliance and sense of adventure as anchorages may be affected by swell, and the only way ashore may be by ships boat.

Azure Seas and Lush Volcanic Flora

The Azores are Portuguese, and there are 9 islands in 3 distinct groups – all volcanic with ancient Caldera craters. Only Pico still has an original cone over 2351m high. From June – October the weather is dominated by the Azores High with summer temperatures typically reaching 23 degrees. Evenings are cooler than the Caribbean. The shorelines are often steep cliffs and the vegetation is lush with much tropical fruit as well as fresh dairy products. Fishing, green tourism and whale watching are an important part of their economy and in the past Whaling was a major industry.

Winter Sun & Whale Watching

You should experience some night sailing under incredibly bright stars in unpolluted dark night skies. The archipelago is also located on the migration trail for dolphins and whales, and having a vantage point aloft increases your potential to see these magnificent creatures.

Sailing on a Tall Ship

Climbing the masts to work the square sails is the essence of tall ship sailing. There are n’t many adrenalin buzzes in the world to beat stowing a sail 100ft above the white capped sea as you stand there balanced on a single foot rope. (OK; you do have a safety harness on and it's only if you volunteer to go aloft.)

Ships Crew

Upon arrival on sail training brig ‘Stavros S Niarchos’ you will sign on as ships crew. Before sailing every one undergoes an intensive safety training period so you can begin to handle a 500 ton sailing ship. There are 18 sails, included in the training is the chance to make your first climb aloft; it’s not compulsory and it is under expert supervision with plenty of encouragement.

On Deck

At deck level the challenge is to make sense of the myriad of ropes than run down to belaying pins all around the tall ship. As part of a team you could be hauling on a halliard that hoists a huge yard up the mast so that the sail can be set. It may be an upper topsail, the main course or you may be alone finding the right buntlines to loosen for someone working high above you.

Real Tall Ship Rig

The ship’s rig is authentic, there are no winches, no windlass for the sails and so it takes a lot of physical effort and large numbers of people working together to set all the sails. Manoeuvring a tall ship is not simple under sail and there is huge amount of work to be done when you tack or wear ship. It all takes genuine teamwork, not a cliché in a management training manual.

Below decks

Stavros Niarchos is all traditional rigging but below deck you will find cots rather than hammocks, showers and air conditioning and a full service galley. She is fully equipped with all the latest navigation equipment and her officers are highly trained professional merchant seaman.

The Pleasure Principle

You would be surprised at the number of lasting relationships that develop during a voyage on a tall ship. I’m still in touch with three people I sailed with on my first voyage; it did so happen that I married one of them.

The sense of satisfaction and pride in your ship is a common but wonderful feature of tall ship sailing.

A tall ship voyage is not just for young and agile as these ships are built for those who believe in human power and seek to enjoy the pleasures of sailing in the old ways.

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Stavros Niarchos - British Tall Ship

All voyages on Stavros Niarchos 2010 upto October 2010

Tall Ship Stavros Niarchos Dimensions

Length 200' (60m)
Rig Brig, Square sails on two masts
Tonnage 500 tons
Height of main mast 118' (36m)

Tall Ship Construction

Steel hull, 2 engines, watertight bulkheads built by Appledore Shipyard in North Devon in 2000 and 2001
Sails: 18 in total. Royal, t’gallant, upper and lower topsail and course on each mast, plus flying jib, outer jib, inner jib, staysail and between mast staysails. Deck level Mess Room.
British Registered
Both ships are British registered and owned by a long established sail training charity. The ships carry full UK Marine Coastguard Agency certification for worldwide operation. They are rated as UK Auxiliary Coastguard Ships recognising the professionalism of the permanent crew in assisting in rescues at sea.

Below Decks
Air-conditioned, shared accommodation, WC’s and showers.

Safety
MCA Coded to sail anywhere in the world.

Master & Crew
45 voyage crew like yourself of all ages.
Merchant Navy qualified Master with considerable experience.
Chief Officer, 2nd Mate, 3rd Officer, Bosun, Engineer and Cook and 10 experienced volunteers, including deck hands, cooks assistants, engineer assistant and others.

Voyage Fees include:
All meals, square rig sail training, waterproofs and harnesses, pillows.

Involvement level:
These are sail training ships not luxury cruising. Everyone signs on as ships crew and takes part in a watch system of 4 hours on, 8 hours off throughout the voyage. Duties include sailing, watch keeping and keeping the ship clean at sea and in harbour. Going aloft is the essence of Tall Ship sailing and you will be given every encouragement to try for yourself, it’s not compulsory. Supervised training begins before the voyage.

2010 Tall Ship Voyages

(2010 -2011 Winter Sun voyages to be announced)

ref	from	to	nts	ports	age	description	price
SSN427	15 May	17 May	2	Portsmouth - Poole	18-80	tall ship taster	£249
SSN430	27 May	day	0	Portsmouth	16-80	tall ship day sail	£99
SSN433	14 Jun	19 Jun	5	Cardiff - Dartmouth	18-75	midsummer round Lands End	£399
SSN434	20 Jun	23 Jun	3	Dartmouth - Southampton	18-75	Devon & UK South Coast	£299
	July	Aug		Stavros - youth voyages only		Alternative option - Oosterschelde tall ship programme 2010 in Scotland
SSN443	6 Sep	10 Sep	4	Barry- Dartmouth	18-75	South West, Lands End, Pembrokeshire	£399
SSN444	11 Sep	14 Sep	3	Dartmouth - Weymouth	18-75	Authentic tall ship on your doorstep	£299
SSN445	15 Sep	19 Sep	4	Weymouth - Southampton	18-75	Tall Ship Taster	FULL
SSN447	1 Oct	8 Oct	7	London - Poole	18-75	Down Channel probably via Belguim, France or Channel Isles	£449
SSN449	17 Oct	20 Oct	3	Falmouth- Brixham	18-75	South West historic ports & great scenery	£299

All voyage details and availability on Stavros Niarchos 2010 upto October 2010

5 magnifcent tall ships worldwide and smaller traditional boats - Prices and Voyages in one printable pdf document

BOOK NOW Already Convinced ? go to our on line booking reservation page

Classic Sailing—Talk to Your Tall Ship Experts 01872 580022

Our directors Adam or Debbie Purser in the office are tall ship sailors and professional skippers of traditional boats and we love to talk to our potential customers, so do give us a ring if you are tempted by sailing on a tall ship, but not quite sure it is for you.

We can also help if you want to buy a gift voucher or short tall ship voyage or day sail as a present for someone else.

Both Adam and Debbie have sailed as watch leaders for many years on the Stavros S Niarchos, and have also sailed on the other tall ships we promote—Topsail schooner Oosterschelde, Barque Europa and Brigantine Soren Larsen, so if you have already tried a short trip and are looking for a more challenging ocean voyage; tall ship wildlife expreditions or would prefer a tall ship with ensuite cabins but plenty of actiuon then do ring us to help your chose.

We are the main UK booking agents for the tall ships on our website work in close partnership with the ships operators to create exciting programmes to suit every level of tall ship sailor from novice to master mariner looking for an unusual holiday.

Ring us on 10872 580022
Classic Sailing, Parton Vrane, Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5AA

update: 9-5-10 DP

Tall Ship Stavrso Niarchos

Stavros Niarchos Island Hopping in the Azores

Voyage Description