Price
£970
Nights
Six
Age range
14-25
Start port
Portsmouth
End port
Portsmouth
DofE
Yes
RYA
Competent crew
Voyage code
CF856
Bursary
Available
Voyage highlights
Set sail on an unforgettable seven-day adventure along England’s south coast, starting and finishing at the bustling waterfront of Portsmouth, at Gunwharf Quay Marina.
On board one of our 72ft Challenger yachts, you’ll navigate challenging waters, work as part of a close-knit crew, and push your limits in a safe and supportive environment.
As you explore the south coast of England, you’ll be able to spend time reflecting on your aspirations, set meaningful goals towards them, and develop tangible life and employability skills, which will support you on your journey into adulthood.
These Empowerment Voyages are the second stage of TSYT’s three-voyage programme of Exploration, Empowerment, and Leadership, designed for those with previous sailing or alternative active/residential outdoor learning experience. They help young people develop resilience, a positive attitude toward challenge, stronger teamwork skills, and a deeper understanding of how they function within a team.
This voyage may not be suitable for those without prior voyaging or residential outdoor learning experience.
Along the way, you can complete the residential section of your DofE Gold Award and work to achieve your RYA Competent Crew certificate on board.
You’ll sail through the Solent and then along the stunning south coast. You may spot dolphins, seals and fin whales along the way. Likely stopovers include Cowes or Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, and Lymington, Poole or Weymouth along the coast.
Bring something to record your ideas and reflections in (this can be a digital device) and be prepared to get involved in co-creating an ocean-based sustainability project to build your awareness and skills around taking action to protect our ocean environment.
Overcoming challenges. Resilience. Sense of achievement. New friendships. New skills.
Throughout the voyage, you’ll experience steering a yacht, sail handling, ropework as well as learning how to keep safe onboard. If conditions permit, you’ll also get to do some night sailing too.
We divide the crew into two teams (watches) – traditionally, known as Port and Starboard. In your watches, you’ll take turns to be involved in all aspects of sailing and living on a Challenger yacht, from deck duties to cooking and cleaning.
This voyage is a great opportunity to push your boundaries, learn about yourself and escape from it all with time for quiet reflection and the opportunity to widen your sailing experience in a challenging environment.
Each crew member will receive a personal assessment covering their teamwork and communication skills.
You’ll hopefully get the chance to complete the RYA Competent Crew course while you’re on board.
The RYA Competent Crew syllabus includes:
- Sea terms and parts of a boat, rigging and sails
- Sail handling
- Ropework
- Fire safety and precautions
- Personal safety equipment
- Man overboard
- Emergency equipment
- Manners and customs
- Rules of the ‘road’ (at sea)
- Dinghies
The cost of your RYA Competent Crew certificate is included in the price.
RYA logbooks are available for purchase on board at a cost of £6 (Skippers are only able to take cash for this).
All our 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.
The Skipper will determine the final route depending on weather and other variables.
Your Skipper can also recommend you for our volunteer crew training programme, if they feel you have the skills and attributes that we’re looking for. You can speak to your TSYT crew if this is something you’d be interested in and you’d like to find out more.
All meals on board are included.
