Rare Summer Opportunity to Sail Barque Europa to Cornwall from Spain

Bark Europa Taster Voyage - Catch her whilst she is in Europe

This 8 day summer voyage on a three masted sailing ship is an ideal offshore adventure which begins with a dash accross the Bay of Biscay in summer, so you can get a feel of sailing this ocean wanderer out of sight of land. If you have bigger plans to sail Europa on a longer voyage, this would be a great way of seeing if you like the style of sailing on a Dutch square rigger.

All Ages Welcome

Whilst the summer tall ships races on Europa are open to adults, they do have to reach a quota of 50% crew under 25, so often you have to wait for a berth confirmation. The beauty of these voyages is that you can book them normally and after a quick check of your booking form we can usually confirm your place on the day you book.

All ocean voyages on Europa are open to all ages and her main specialism is adult adventure charter around the world.

A very Multi National Crew

It is rare to find less than 12 different nationalities on any Bark Europa trip, and that is partly because the professional crew are selected from the best in the world.  Luckily for British, Australian, South African and North American sailors - the working language is English.

Bay of Biscay Wildlife

Leaving the high cliffs, fishing villages and mountains of Northern Spain you are out into the Bay of Biscay and sometimes the big ocean swells of the North Atlantic. You may have more benign weather and then the attraction is cetacean spotting as you sail near the edge of the Continental shelf. The upwelling of plankton as the seabed rises spectacularly off Northern Spain creates very rich feeding grounds for all types of sea creature and the Bay of Biscay is one of the best dolphin spotting hot spots in Europe.  The ships crew are all ocean sailors and have a wealth of knowledge about sea life.

First visit to Falmouth for a crew change

Classic Sailing is based in St Mawes- Falmouth, so we encouraged Europa to come to Cornwall for a crew change. It is a number of years since the ship has paid a visit to the port and this is the first time we have started a voyage on a Dutch ship from here. The harbour entrance is wide with the twin castles of St Mawes and Pendennis guarding either side.  We hope to sail out to meet the ship with Eve of St Mawes like a pilot cutter from the 19th Century.

Do I Need Sailing Experience?

You do not need any sailing experience to go on Bark Europa’s voyage as you will be trained and well looked after. The style is not as regimented as some sail training ships, and sail handling commands are often done with sign language and quiet instructions.

This 8 day voyage starts with a mini ocean passage accross Biscay - so you will be long way from land and well out of mobile phone range for a few days - but not beyond the ambitions of an adventurous newcomer to sailing.  There should be a chance to explore the tip of the Brittany coast or Dveon and Cornwall before finishing in Falmouth.

On Watch At Four Bells

Being woken up in the middle of the night has its compensations; helming the ship under the brightest stars you have ever seen, being in charge as the ship as she ploughs through the unseen waves and the welcome hot drink at the end of your watch...or perhaps a beer from the bar. 

Skysails and Stunsails perhaps

The ship will have just finished the International Tall Ships Race so she should still have her skysail (6th yard on each mast) and her amazing collection of poles, booms and stun'sails.  She is one of the few tall ships in the world to regularly use these 'add on' extra sails.

Food

The Dutch are great eaters and there are snacks all through the day and night on top of three regular good meals every day. Dietary requirements on not a problem even on these longer ocean voyages, just let us know on your booking form of any dietary requirement you may have. Fresh bread is baked every day and the ship has large freezers. There is also a bar on board for when you are off watch.

Experienced and first time square rig sailors

If you are an adventurous spirit sailing for the first time then Europa keeps the romance of sailing alive with an enthusiastic crew who can teach a range of topics and a brilliant library at the stern of the ship. If you have already sailed on a tall ship or are an experienced yacht sailor wanting to immerse yourself in square rig seamanship then Europa is an excellent choice.
 

Wildlife at Sea

On a long ocean passage on Bark Europa you are almost bound to see whales, these hump back were spotted on a Voyage from Ushuaia to Cape Town and photographed by Debbie Purser from aloft. The bird life will vary depending on your sailing grounds. In the Southern Atlantic you will see many different sorts of albatross, skuas and gulls. A sea bird that seems to crop up in many different waters is the tiny storm petrel, about the same size as a swift but having a different flight pattern. If I was asked to choose a bird to be I think on land I would choose to be a swift but at sea it would have to be the storm petrel, such a small bird in such a big ocean.

Life on board

On deck you work with the crew to sail the ship, joining in the watch system; you may assist with manoeuvres, steering and navigation. Bark Europa may be steered from within the wheelhouse or on deck at the ships wheel. The ship is ideal for ocean crossings and longer voyages, with various places for relaxing: library, lounge, cosy corner and deckhouse. These different areas allow you to do your own thing: perhaps some quiet reading or perhaps a more active role in the social life in the deckhouse. The ship is equipped with television/DVD, CD player, I-pod and radio.

Shower and Toilet en suite

There are two 2-person cabins, six 4-person cabins and four 6-person cabins. During these expeditions the 6-person cabins will have a maximum of 5 occupants. The comfortable cabins have an en-suite toilet and shower. An experienced cook and cook’s assistant will prepare three meals a day.