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9 day Tall Ship Deep Water Taster
Sail from La Coruna in the mountains of Northern Spain down the Portuguese coast to the historic port of Cadiz. A great mile builder (approx 500 Miles) with the seas getting progressively more blue as you head towards winter sun.
(This voyage has an age restriction of 18-65. If you fall out of this category do not dispair. We may be able to find a similar voyage on a different vessel, or the same vessel but a slightly different voyage that will allow you to sail. Please ring us.)
Whale & dolphin watching down the Portuguese Coast
The continental shelf runs close to the corner of Northern Spain so this is an excellent voyage for dolphin and whale watching, and 9 days sailing gives you plenty of chances to spot marine wildlife and get into the rhythm of offshore passage making. Classic Sailing Director Debbie saw her first super pod of over 100 dolphins on a similar trip, just off La Coruna, and many cetacean spotting organisations cite the areas as the top spot in Northern Europe for seeing dolphins in the wild.
Deep Water Sailing - not coastal hopping
Stavros is on her way South until the butter melts...to her winter base in the Canaries and this voyage leg is part of that journey. You may not touch land at all until you tie up in Cadiz, but if the Captain does decide to seek a watering hole ashore ....then possible ports of call might be anchorages or ports in the deep Rias of Galica (drowned river valleys) or maybe the fascinating port of Lisbon with seven hills, cable cars, narrow streets and a way of life very different from most capital cities.
If a major part of the attraction of sailing is to go into port and enjoy some warm winter sun in a waterfront cafe, then a Canaries island hopping voyage may be more your type of voyage.
Cadiz itself has many layers of nautical history.See itinerary and port details for more.
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.
