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LEARNING TO SAIL SHOULD BE FUN AND REWARDING

You are here: Home1 / UK Sailing Holidays2 / Learn To Sail

Learn To Sail On A Schooner

Although we take our sail training for adults seriously, learning to sail should be fun. You will go home feeling a sense of achievement but hopefully you’ll have a good time and eat well too.

At SchoonerSail we have many years experience teaching people sailing skills and how to be part of the crew on our schooner Trinovante.

The focus is on teaching good, solid seamanship skills whilst visiting some of the best sailing areas in the world. The style is informal. Every voyage is an adventure where you can learn to sail as you go.

If you are a yachtsperson or looking to become one, it is important to be clear that we do not run RYA courses which are geared towards learning to skipper a yacht.

Tall ship sailing where you are member of the crew develops a specific set of skills. You still learn to sail but as part of a team.

If you are looking for something more ‘in depth’ about sailing schooners check out the links to our Learning To Sail A Schooner Articles at the bottom of this page.

I’d done quite a lot of dinghy sailing but had always wanted to experience sailing a “proper ship”. Finding SchoonerSail online it looked like an ideal combination of a small friendly crew and keen sailors.

Jess W

As a beginner what type of voyage should I choose?

Some people like to try one of our UK Sailing Weekends first before committing to a longer sailing holiday but there is no obligation to do so and many first time sailors go straight for something more challenging.

If you find it difficult to choose or are not sure what any of our voyages will involve just give us a ring on 07977 594649. Remember, because we are not an agency, booking for many boats you will be speaking directly to the people you will actually be sailing with.

UK Sailing Weekends

What can I expect to learn on a Tall Ships Sailing Holiday?

For starters you are definitely going to learn some new nautical words!

Initially most beginners feel quite daunted – that’s normal. From the moment you step onboard you will learn to sail  by being totally immersed in the world of sail and the sea.

On a multi masted schooner we need you, our guest sailors, to be involved in everything. From hoisting sail and steering to dropping the anchor. It’s in our interest to teach you as much as possible. The boat sails better, we get competent crew, you learn and enjoy the sailing more.

There is always a mix of abilities on board from beginners to experienced sailors so whatever level you’re at you won’t be alone.

Every year Trinovante sets sail on a different voyage. See all our 2021 UK  sailing holidays here . View the voyage map here.  You can join for anything from a few days to a couple of weeks and experience a taster weekend, coastal or offshore sailing.

View All Voyages, Dates And Prices
Onboard the chooner Trinovante, sailing on port tack looking forward and along the lee rail. Brisk breeze.

Offshore Sailing

New Sailing Skills, New Experiences, New Horizons.

Helming The Ship

Richard at the helm of the schooner Trinovante.

Yes, really, right from the start and because we only take a maximum of 8 guests you will get plenty of time at the helm.

There’s no shortage of opportunity to steer and learning to steer a compass course or the best course for a particular wind direction is an important core skill you can master.

Setting Sail

Sailing video setting a topsail on a schooner.

In your first few days onboard you’ll be learning the basics. By the end of a week you may have a pretty good idea of how to put up the sails and may even feel confident to have a crack at the fishermans topsail. Love it or loath it, one of these can add a knot to Trinovantes  speed.

This video was made some time back sailing in the North of Norway.

More Sailing Videos

Link to: Standing The Night Watch

Standing A Watch

Offshore Sailing
Standing The Night Watch

Read The Article

The ships compass it up at night on an offshore voyage

On offshore sailing voyages we operate on a watch system.Everyone stands their watch taking it in turns to steer, trim  the sails and keep a good look out.
One of the real delights of offshore sailing is to see the sun come up on the early morning watch

Offshore Sailing - Standing The Night Watch

Handle Ropes Like A Pro

Coiling mooring lines on a tall ship.

You will get plenty of practice coiling mooring ropes and halyards .  Trinovante has winches for the jib sheets but all the sails are hoisted with ropes and blocks – it’s an efficient mix of traditional and modern. cleating them off on the pin rails when we hoist sails.

Then there are five basic knots you can learn – the reef knot, clove hitch, round turn and two half hitches, bowline, and figure of eight. Many people know one or two of them already. Think of them as your basic tool kit.

If you want to learn something before you come onboard try learning to tie a bowline. Watch this video and learn the ‘seamans’ way not the cub scout way.

Learn To Feel The Wind

At sea offshore sailing at sunrise.

It’s amazing that we can sail into the wind. On land we rarely pay attention to the wind – at sea on a sailing vessel we notice every tiny change in direction and speed.

What is the wind doing now, what is it going to do in 12 hours, or 5 days?  Understanding why we tack or gybe or how to sail the best course to windward are all part of the learning experience.

And of course there is the Shipping Forecast. You may become a keen listener.

Anchoring A Ship

Sailing Video The manual anchor winch in action on the schooner Trinovante.

We do a lot of anchoring under sail, it’s not something many boats do these days.

How much chain do you let out, how do you know your anchor is holding, how do you choose your anchorage in the first place?

More Sailing Videos

All 2023 UK Sailing Holidays

Voyages In Date Order

Uk Sailing weekends on the schooner TrinovanteSchoonerSail

UK Sailing Weekends

October 31, 2019
Fri 5th to Mon 8th May 2023
3 nights £495

A UK sailing weekend to get out on the water in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/uk-sailing-weekend-schooner-trinovante.jpg 1500 1500 ken https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/schoonersail-sailing-holidays-logo.png ken2019-10-31 09:13:232023-01-26 16:33:19UK Sailing Weekends
View of waves sailing offshore to Norway.SchoonerSail

Harwich To Kirkwall, Orkney

October 31, 2021
Sat 13th May to Sat 27th May 2023
14 nights £2160
2 Spaces Only
A voyage to Orkney lasting several days with time to sail and explore ashore on arrival.
https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/offshore-waves-square.jpg 1500 1500 ken https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/schoonersail-sailing-holidays-logo.png ken2021-10-31 12:39:022023-01-26 16:38:42Harwich To Kirkwall, Orkney
Sailing In Orkney, a small traditional sailing boat at anchor, harbour view near Stromness.SchoonerSail Limited

Sailing In Orkney

October 31, 2021
Fri 2nd June to Fri 9th June 2023
7 Nights £1295
1 space only High summer sailing and exploring in the islands of Orkney
https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/orkney.jpg 1500 1500 ken https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/schoonersail-sailing-holidays-logo.png ken2021-10-31 13:57:422023-01-26 16:46:45Sailing In Orkney
Puffins on Fair IsleSchoonerSail

Orkney to Shetland & Shetland to Orkney

October 31, 2021
Thurs 15th July to Thurs 22nd July FULL
Or
Mon 24th to Mon 31st July 2023 £1295
7 Nights

A voyage from Shetland to Orkney or Orkney to Shetland Via Fair Isle
https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/puffins-on-fair-isle.jpg 1500 1500 ken https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/schoonersail-sailing-holidays-logo.png ken2021-10-31 14:04:352023-01-26 16:42:09Orkney to Shetland & Shetland to Orkney
Walking ashore on a sailing holiday in Shetland

Sailing In Shetland

November 2, 2021
Wed 28th June to Wed 5th July 2023 £1295
or
Tues 11th July to Tues 18th July 2023 £1295
7 Nights

A sailing holiday in Shetland with time to explore ashore.
https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/wild-places.jpg 1500 1500 ken https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/schoonersail-sailing-holidays-logo.png ken2021-11-02 20:07:102023-01-26 16:47:51Sailing In Shetland
The Schooner Trinovante enters Whitby Harbour on a UK Sailing Holiday. Copyright Alan Green.

Kirkwall, Orkney To Whitby

May 1, 2018
Sat 5th Aug To Sat 13th Aug 2023
8 Nights £1350

Sail south along the Scottish coast to Whitby.
https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/whitby-harbour.jpg 1500 1500 ken https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/schoonersail-sailing-holidays-logo.png ken2018-05-01 10:02:282023-01-26 16:51:45Kirkwall, Orkney To Whitby
View through a port hole of the sea - taken on a UK Sailing Holiday.SchoonerSail Limited

Whitby To Harwich

May 1, 2018
Sat 19th Aug to Fri 25th Aug 2023
6 Nights £960
Set sail on the old collier route. Offshore and Coastal Sailing
https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/porthole.jpg 1500 1500 ken https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/schoonersail-sailing-holidays-logo.png ken2018-05-01 10:01:452023-01-26 16:33:06Whitby To Harwich
Southen Pier at sunset with rigging blocks in the foregroundSchoonerSail

Ipswich To London

November 3, 2021
Thurs 31st Aug To Mon 4th Sept 2023
4 Nights £720
Sail on the East Coast rivers and up to the centre of London.
https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/southend-pier-sunset.jpg 1500 1500 ken https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/schoonersail-sailing-holidays-logo.png ken2021-11-03 21:16:162023-01-26 17:03:46Ipswich To London
The schooner Trinovante sailing off Felixstowe

London to Harwich

July 8, 2022
Fri 8th Sept To Tues 12th Sept 2023
4 Nights FULL

Sail from the centre of London to the historic port of Harwich.
https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/tinovante-sailing-facebook-size.jpg 600 1200 ken https://www.schoonersail.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/schoonersail-sailing-holidays-logo.png ken2022-07-08 14:47:392023-01-10 10:27:48London to Harwich
PreviousNext

SchoonerSail Learning To Sail A Schooner Articles

John, Trinovante’s skipper started writing these articles after some Trinovante Crew asked for more information on the fundamentals of schooner handling. None of these articles are invented theory. These are all specific situations that have arisen.

Seafaring is an ongoing learning process and John cautions against set piece manoeuvers. You need a plan but it needs to be flexible because things don’t always go according to plan.

Sail Training involves learning how to safely handle ropes, some basic knots and using winches among other things. Why we need these skills is to be able to carry out manoeuveres under sail or power.

Full knowledge of the why is not essential. Dip into these Learning To Sail articles only if you want to.

Most people just learn to sail when they are onboard.

Learn To Sail A Schooner No.1

Sail off anchor, wind & tide together.

Learn To Sail A Schooner No.2

Anchoring under sail on the run.

Learn To Sail A Schooner No.3

Dock & undock using springs

Learn To Sail A Schooner No.4

Sailing off a quay, wind ahead.

Learn To Sail A Schooner No.5

Sailing off a quay, wind aft.

Learn To Sail A Schooner No.6

Short turning off a quay

Learn To Sail A Schooner No.7

Tacking a 3 masted schooner.

Learn To Sail A Schooner No.8

Sailing into harbour.

SchoonerSail Limited
16A Stafford Mill
London Road
Thrupp
Stroud
Gloucestershire
GL5 2A

Ships phone +44 (0)7977 594 649
info@schoonersail.com

Company No 06133553
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  • Home
  • 2023 Itinerary
    • View All 2023 Sailing Holidays
    • UK Sailing Weekends
    • Harwich To Orkney
    • Orkney Sailing
    • Orkney to Shetland Via Fair Isle
    • Shetland Sailing
    • Shetland to Orkney Via Fair Isle
    • Kirkwall To Whitby
    • Whitby To Harwich
    • Ipswich To London
    • London to Harwich
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    • Back
  • Our Sailing Holidays
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    • Sailing Videos
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    • Back
  • The Ship
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    • Sail Plan
    • History
    • Back
  • Booking
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