Stavros Niarchos Day Sail

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.)

 

Upon arrival on sail training brig ‘Stavros S Niarchos’ you will sign on as ships crew. Before sailing every one undergoes a safety training period so you can begin to handle a 500 ton sailing ship. 

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.

 

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, you won't be expected to understand it all on a day sail.

Just get stuck in and pull away on those ropes and enjoy the sight of those sails propelling you through the water. 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

If you come back for a full voyage your day sail experience will stand you in good stead.

 

 

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.