Adventure Sailing Weekends 2011
As featured in Coast Magazine Issue 28, April 2008

We are running two learn to sail taster weekends in the UK both sailing from Ipswich and both suitable for beginners and experienced sailors alike.

Fri 8th June to Mon 11th June
Fri 15th June to Mon 18th june
£375 discounted price - what is this?
£385 non discounted price

Getting to and from your sailing holiday

All of our adventure weekends in 2011 are sailing from Ipswich Haven Marina in the center of Ipswich and head out into the Thames Estuary for some coastal day sails. You can book on any of our activity weekends as a beginner or more experienced sailor. Schoonersail provides full sail training to get you up to speed with the traditional seamanship skill's you need to fully participate onboard .
If you want to learn to sail or have never sailed before it's worth having a look at our beginners sailing page

One past crew said about our sailing weekends -

'A tall ship and a star to steer her by' together with as nice a group of landlubbers as you could wish to meet and the boundless hospitality of a Skipper and Mate who were ever willing to impart as much of and their considerable knowledge of this vessel and sailing as any novice non sailor can absorb in three days made for a really great weekend. 

About the local area
The Thames Estuary is our 'home' territory where Trinovante was built and a fascinating area for a weekend break. Steeped in sailing history and tradition its one of the last places in the UK where you will see traditionally rigged boats as a matter of course. Fishing smack's and sailing barges race here throughout the season.
In the quiet river anchorages you will hear the distinctive call of the oyster catchers and other waders feeding on the mud flats as the tide goes out and this contrasts nicely with the busy commercial activity on the Orwell.

Read Articles about sailing in this area from our newsletter archive
Sailing On A Tall Ship Again by Dave Pridmore
An Account of Breakfast on the Schooner Trinovante Or The Ship's Chef Houdini of the Seas by Melanie White

Where might will we sail in a weekend - a sample itinerary.
This is a rough idea only because we will be working with the wind, weather and tides.

Day one
You arrive on the first afternoon and we head straight down the River Orwell past the huge container ships manoeuvering to dock in Felixstowe, now the biggest container port in the country. The first evening you learn enough to feel comfortable onboard and we go through some basic safety training and rope handling skills. Oh and there is a tasty dinner too.

Day two
The following day we can put straight out to sea down the coast, leaving Walton and Clacton on our starboard side.
Our aim is to reach the River Blackwater or Colne and anchor up for the night.By the end of day two you will have learnt how two put up the sails and have had a go at steering.

Day three
The following day we often sail back along the coast past Walton and Clacton to Harwich, then moor alongside Halfpenny pier. If we do we usually go ashore in the old town to our favourite local pub, the New Bell.

Day four
On day four we often sail right into the rolling Suffolk countryside along the River Stour before returning to Ipswich - always a treat!

Accelerated Learning
Our weekend activity sailing breaks involve lots of training and opportunities for practicing sail hoisting, knots, rope handling, helming, mooring and anchoring techniques. We do as much under sail as we can and often sail on or off of anchor.

Everyone can get a discount on their sailing holiday.

In an effort to keep prices as low for you as we can we give you a discount if you pay us by bank transfer (or, for your balance payment due when you arrive onboard by bank transfer or cash) this saves us administrative costs which we pass on to you.
You can of course pay us by credit or debit card or cheque but then you need to pay the non discounted price in brackets.

So it's that simple - pay by bank transfer - get a discount!