Can I really sail a tall ship as crew?  Yes you can. Classic Sailing specialise in tall ship sailing for adults and young people. Whether you satisfy your ‘romance of the sea’ cravings with a tall ship day sail, escape for some winter sun on a beautiful schooner, or want to cross an ocean, we have the tall ship holiday for you.

It’s an active and thrilling challenge and there is something about it that turns ordinary people into super heroes. We have seen a tiny ex ballet dancer in her 70’s climb aloft to stow sails. The heady responsibility of steering a mighty square rigger has been seized by many who only ‘steer a desk’ in their day job. Even if you don’t fancy climbing the rigging, most guest crew can’t resist a trip out on the bowsprit netting to take a ‘selfie’ photo of your tall ship in its full glory.

View our latest VOYAGES: HERE

An Introduction to Tall Ship Crewing

Have you ever imagined sailing on a tall ship as crew? Can you picture yourself steering hundreds of tons of wind powered sailing ship across an ocean with a big ships wheel? Would you get a buzz from climbing aloft and stowing sails standing on a swinging foot rope with your new ship mates?

It’s a myth that only the young or ‘naughty’ youth can sail on square riggers and large traditional sailing vessels. We have are plenty of impressive tall ships of all sizes around the world that offer adventures for adults and young people. You can be the holiday crew on brigs, barques, barquentines, brigantines, luggers large gaffers and schooners.

If you don’t know what these types of tall ships look like, you need our FREE tall ship guide. It has photos to you can learn your brigs from your barques, explanations of watch keeping and tips on how to get the most from your tall ship voyage.

DOWNLOAD TALL SHIPS GUIDE

Tall ship voyages range from 2 day tasters to week long island hopping or coastal adventures, mini blue water passages or ocean journeys of several legs following the trade winds around the globe. You can go barefoot in the tropics, spot Polar bears in the Arctic, or get up close to Penguins in Antarctica.

Tall Ships Race

International Tall Ships Races

Every summer there is at least one big tall ships race taking place, sometimes several in different parts of the world. Classic Sailing will always have several different size tall ships or smaller traditional sailing ships to race on.

The summer holiday tall ships races have a youth orientated ethos in that they aim to bring thousands of young crews together to promote international friendship and understanding between all the countries of the world. Whatever awful conflicts are going on in the world, these competitive tall ships races seem to always succeed in giving the participants hope for the future and reminding all ages that we have more in common that we think.

These summer races often have berths for over 25 year olds. Classic Sailing specialise in helping adults find the right tall ships adventure for them. There are also often very exciting tall ships regattas and races that occur in term time so crews are predominantly older. In recent years this has included races in Canada, Trans Atlantic Races, Round Cape Horn and Australia and New Zealand. As they take several years to plan, Classic Sailing staff generally know what is in the pipe line.

See more: WHERE CAN I RACE TALL SHIPS

Out on the bowsprit on Schooner Oosterschelde. Photo by Arthur Smeets

Day to Day Life on a Tall Ship

What all our tall ships have in common are well practised safety procedures and training programmes. All are classified as Sail Training Ships and vigorously inspected and staffed with enough qualified seafarers to train new guest crews every voyage.  Your role will be described as a trainee sailor, whether you are a beginner or a master mariner on holiday. The professional crews are there to help you get the most out of your adventure, both in terms of the sailing  and the places you visit. Your duties and free time on board vary between ships, but everyone needs to take their contribution as guest crew seriously as these ships are set up to enable a shared sailing experience. It doesn’t work if everyone sunbathes and reads a book all day!

Three masted square riggers to smaller classic boats – Check out our vessel pages which describe the sailing style and typical life on board each different ship.

 

Classic Sailing Fleet – Adult & Youth Berths Worldwide

Relaxing on an ocean passage

Expert advice to help you book

Classic Sailing office staff have sailed over 15 tall ships as crew so we can give your first hand advice –whether you are trying a tall ship sailing holiday for the first time, looking for a challenging square rig experience or a real romantic wanting live out a Patrick O’ Brien novel.

Call Debbie, Becky, or Adam on 01872 580022
classic-sailing.co.uk