Escape the land and become the crew on board Tall Ship Maybe on this hands on practical sailing experience.
Spend 3 days sailing from Belfast to Oban whilst learning all the skills necessary to sail a traditional gaff rigged sailing boat. By the end of your journey you should be able to steer the ship, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in the day to day duties on board.
Ship | Under 25 | Adult |
---|---|---|
Maybe | £270.00 | £300.00 |
Embarkation | Disembarkation | Nights |
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April 30, 2020 | May 3, 2020 | 3 |
Hands onSailing Experience Taster 4
During this trip we want you to develop a love of sailing, and the best way to make a start on any boat is to feel you are a vital and competent part of the crew. We will teach you the seamanship skills of steering, setting sails, reefing, and tying knots with conviction!
There is a whole new language to learn and by the end of the week you won’t be fazed by terms like sheet, fender, windlass or ‘bear away’ and all the things that make going on board a sailing vessel a bit bewildering and intimidating.
Previous experience:
None. You can be a complete beginner that has never stepped on a boat before.
It is also good for those who have done a bit of yacht, keelboat or dinghy sailing and want to be sure they have the basics to sail bigger boats where you can go cruising and live on board.
Skills that you will cherish:
Knowledge of sea terms and parts of the boat, her rigging and sails.
Sufficient knowledge to understand orders concerning the sailing and day to day running of the boat.
Sail handling
Bending on, setting, reefing and handling of sails. Use of sheets and halyards and their associated winches.
Ropework
Handling ropes, including coiling, stowing, securing to cleats and single and double bollards. Handling warps. Ability to tie the following knots and know their correct use: figure of eight, clove hitch, rolling hitch, bowline, round turn and two half hitches, single and double sheet bend, reef knot.
Helmsmanship and Sailing.
Understands the basic principles of sailing and can steer and trim sails on all points of sailing. Can steer a compass course, under sail and motor.
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Oban, Scotland
By Air to Belfast
Flights from all major UK and European cities arrive at either of Belfast’s two airports. Belfast International (belfastairport.com) is 19 miles from the city centre, with the Airport Express 300 bus shuttling between the two every 15-30 minutes during the day and 30-60 minutes at night for £7.50 single, £10.50 return (translink.co.uk). A taxi to the city will be about £28. From George Best Belfast City Airport (belfastcityairport.com), three miles from the city centre, the Airport Express 600 shuttles to the city centre every 30-60 minutes for £2.50 single, £3.80 return.
By Ferry to Belfast
Stena Line (stenaline.co.uk) sails up to six times a day between Belfast and Cairnryan in two hours 15 minutes using state-of-the-art super ferries, and up to twice a day between Belfast and Liverpool. Ferries arrive in the docks, a 15-minute drive or about £10 in a taxi to the city centre. P&O (poferries.com) sails up to nine times a day from Cairnryan to Larne, and twice a day from Troon to Larne from the end of March to end of September, with a connecting train from Larne to Belfast.
Nearest Transport & Accomodations
If you come by train, the journey takes you along the world-famous West Highland Line. First ScotRail runs trains six times a day from Glasgow Queen Street Station to Oban (two on Sunday). For times and prices visit the First Scotrail site. You can also phone National Rail enquiries on 08457 484950 or visit their website, and they have a good app for smart phones.
Flying to Glasgow or Edinburgh is easy. Both airports are served by all the major, and many of the minor, UK airlines. This provides plenty of flights to choose from with bargain rates. In addition to being busy domestic airports both Glasgow and Edinburgh receive daily scheduled flights from Europe. Glasgow also boasts direct flights to and from the United States and from Dubai.You can also fly to Oban directly by private charter flight to Oban Airport at North Connel.
Oban is a busy ferry port with regular ferries to and from the islands of Mull, Colonsay, Coll, Tiree, Lismore, Barra and South Uist. Many of these ferries also link up with other islands. For more information about the ferries you can visit the Calmac website.