Price
£1,595
Nights
13
Age range
18-65
Start port
Portsmouth, UK
End port
Cascais, Portugal
Passport
Yes
DofE
Yes
RYA
Competent Crew
Voyage code
CF682
Bursary
Available
Voyage highlights
This voyage from Portsmouth to Cascais is aimed at resilient adventure sailors who enjoy a physical challenge.
The Bay of Biscay can certainly be challenging in November, but rest assured you’ll be in safe hands onboard one of our Challenger yachts, guided by our experienced and highly-qualified crew.
Our crews come from a wide range of backgrounds and have varying levels of experience, but they all have one thing in common – the motivation to step outside of their comfort zones and sail our iconic yachts offshore.
Our Challengers are 72ft ocean-going steel yachts, constructed to withstand the Southern Ocean. Launched in 2000, they raced round the world in two editions of the BT Global Challenge, the route taking them against prevailing winds and currents, through some of the most challenging sailing conditions on the planet.
This means that our Challengers are the perfect vessel for this type of voyage and will make it an unforgettable experience!
Since 2008 our four Challenger yachts have provided TSYT with a unique and positively challenging platform for our Youth Development and Outdoor Learning programme, which is supported by our adventure voyages for adults.
Due to the particularly challenging nature of this voyage, please do not hesitate to call us on 02392 832055 if you would like to discuss whether this is the right voyage for you.
After your departure in Cascais, the boat will then undergo checks and preparation for our next voyage starting on Monday 20 November to Santa Cruz in Tenerife. So, if you fancy an extended stay in the Canaries, click here for more details.
If you’re interested in more than one Canary Islands voyage, you can take advantage of our exclusive bundle offering. Contact our Reservations Team for more information: reservations@tallships.org
At the start of the outward leg, you may stopover at Cowes or Yarmouth if the weather is good.
Following some initial yacht familiarisation and safety training in the Solent you will head west, possibly stopping in Plymouth or Falmouth, before crossing the channel to head south through the Bay of Biscay.
Although the route will take you well to the west of the Continental Shelf and its potentially very big seas, the conditions can still be challenging, and you may experience stronger winds and rougher seas than you’ve tackled before.
That’s when the Challengers come into their own, and you’ll get to experience the thrill of helming a big, powerful yacht doing what it does best.
Once the Bay of Biscay is behind us there’ll be plenty of time for relaxing, exploring and recovery.
If you’ve made a quick passage, there may be time to explore a couple of ports on the northern Spanish or Portuguese coast, where you could sample the seafood of A Coruña, explore the old quarter of Vigo or stock up on port in Porto before cruising to your destination of Cascais, with its beautiful beaches and stunning coastal scenery.
Sailing skills. A sense of achievement. Lifelong memories. Winter sun!
There will be plenty of photograph opportunities to ensure your memories are lifelong, so be sure to pack your camera! In addition to the stunning landscapes, you may also spot marine wildlife such as, dolphins, seals and fin whales.
Our adventure sailing voyages are fully participative. Over the course of the trip, you’ll experience steering the yacht, sail handling and ropework, as well as learning how to keep safe onboard.
Our crews get involved in every aspect of running the vessel, so expect to be working in a watch system for much of the voyage, and taking your turn at helming, sail handling, cooking and cleaning.
Once we receive your booking, we’ll need to review all of the information you’ve provided including your medical history, and so your voyage will not be confirmed until you’ve received an email accepting your booking. Please do not book any travel for the trip prior to receiving this email.
The Skipper will determine the final route depending on weather and other variables.
Once we get south of the Bay of Biscay, the weather generally improves and feels warmer. We recommend you pack shorts and t-shirts as well as warmer clothes.
If you share our values and are keen to do more, you may be able to support our mission still further by joining the TSYT Volunteer Crew.
Your Skipper can recommend you for our Watch Leader training programme if they feel you have the skills and attributes that we’re looking for.
All meals onboard are included.
You’ll hopefully get the chance to complete the RYA Competent Crew course while you’re onboard.
The cost of your RYA certificate is included in the price.
RYA logbooks are available for purchase onboard at a cost of £6 (Skippers are only able to take cash for this).
All voyages of four nights or more qualify for the residential section of the DofE Gold Award.
Please let our Reservations Team know before sailing if you want to use the voyage for this.
You’ll be asked to enter your passport details as part of the booking process. If you don’t have these to hand, please contact us as soon as possible after submitting your booking form to let us know your details, as we cannot accept your booking without this information.
You will also need to present your valid passport to the Skipper at the start of the voyage.
