Sail with the international Tall Ships Race fleet - then head down the Brittany coast to the mighty Brest Festival

 photo Russian Sedov and Mexican tall ship racing in light winds

See the Worlds Tall Ships in St Malo & Brest Festival 2012

The old privateers lair of Saint Malo is this year’s host of the Tall Ships races. Oosterschelde intends to enjoy the atmosphere ashore and sail in company with the racing tall ships but she is not taking part in the racing. This has many advantages. You can take part in the festivities in town and still be able to set sail and sail along with the rest of the fleet to see the race start in open water. This is the bit the public ashore never have the chance to see - hich is a shame becasue a fleet of tall ships all sailing without engines is amazing. We will follow the Tall Ships for a while in the English Channel and end our voyage in Brest where the event ‘Les Tonnerres de Brest’ is being held. You will get the chance to experience these two events and to be a part of the crew of one of the most beautiful historic three masters in the International fleet.

L'Aberwrach & Isle d'Ouessant (Ushant)

As soon as you are on board the first mate will show you to your cabin. The festival is in full swing and you have enough time to take a look on the quayside. Dinner will be served on the ship. The next day the ‘Oosterschelde’ will sail in the parade to sea and the starting point. This is far away from shore and the start of the race will be the next morning. We will watch the start of the ships and we will follow them towards Biscay. We are not in a rush, so we will bring a visit to ‘L Abervrach’ or another town.

During this voyage you will be a member of the crew. Everyone is divided in to groups to take part in the watch system. During these periods of watch we will ask you to participate as much as possible with navigation and all the basic sailing proceedings. The crew will try to learn you as much as possible about sailing with a three master and during the voyage you will quickly become comfortable with the basics. For the enthusiasts the crew is happy to explain more about navigation, the functions of all the ropes, halyards and sheets. After watch there is enough room and time to play a game, read a book or watch the horizon and waves. The ‘Oosterschelde’ offers you the opportunity to experience your voyage in your own way. The festival in Brest is famous for it’s dynamics. Tens, maybe hundreds of big and small boats will gather in the sheltered bay. You will get the chance to walk over the quayside before it is time to say goodbye General This description is meant to give you an impression of what a voyage could look like.

Depending on wind and weather conditions the travel plan could be altered, however we
always try to sail as much as possible.
* Transfer
On this voyage you will have to arrange your transfer yourself. We advise you to travel to
back by train (TGV). The costs of this transfer are about € 385.

How much participation as ships crew ?

The captain will welcome all the guests onboard. The chef will serve a light meal and during dinner the crew will explain more about the ship, (safety) rules, watch system, etc. We will turn in early, so that everyone is fit for the early departure at daybreak. On the ‘Nieuwe Waterweg’ we set sail and when we are at sea we will course in south-western direction. Everyone is divided into watches, to take part in the watch system. During these periods we ask you to participate as much as possible in navigation and all the basic sailing proceedings. For the enthusiasts, the crew is happy to explain more about navigation, the functions of all the ropes, halyards and sheets. After watch there is enough room and time
to play a game, read a book or watch the horizon and waves. The ‘Oosterschelde’ offers you the opportunity to experience your voyage in your own way.

Explore The Channel Isles & Gulf of St Malo

After about two full days we will arrive at the Channel Islands. Here we will have enough time to visit a small town, to drop anchor at an Island or to sail on with the spectacular fast tides between the islands. Our route will depend on the wind and weather forecast. Every day the captain or first mate will discuss the possibilities with the guest crew. Leaving the Channel Isles and heading south you may spot several tall ships or traditional vessels heading for St Malo and the summer International Tall Ships Race.  This is a great opportuntiy to spot them under sail in open water.

Privateers Lair and Old Town Walls

In the early morning on the 5th of July we will arrive in Saint-Malo. The old centre of the city is still surrounded by a town wall and is definitely worth a visit. The Tall Ships’ will moor in the basins so you will get a panoramic view from the top of the wall. If you are interested in these ships, this will be your opportunity to visit them and to take part in the festivities on the quayside. On the morning of Friday the 6th of July it’s time to say goodbye after breakfast.

Lofty Rig with huge gaff sails

The gaff sails on all three masts are huge and it is a long way up to release the gaskets and set oosterschelde's square sails. There is a Captain, Mate, couple of deck hands, engineer and chef so the ships guest crew will need to work hard as a team to race this impressive ship.

Oosterschelde is a very comfy ship - restored for adventure charter with a huge saloon with bar, piano, wood burning stove and library so if you have always fancied running away to sea for a few weeks, we can't think of a more stylish way to do it as hands on ships crew.

Both of Classic Sailing working directors have sailed on Oosterschelde in Jan 2011 so we can tell you what she is like to sail on if you give us a ring.

 General
This description is meant to give you an impression of what a voyage could look like.
Depending on wind and weather conditions the travel plan could be altered, however we
always try to sail as much as possible.

* Transfer
On this voyage you will have to arrange your transfer yourself. We advise you to travel to
back by train (TGV). The costs of this transfer are about € 175.