Price
£670
Nights
Four
Age range
16-25
Start port
Portsmouth
End port
Portsmouth
DofE
Yes
RYA
Start Yachting
Voyage code
CF879
Bursary
Available
Voyage highlights
This October half-term voyage gives you the chance to step outside your comfort zone and take on a real-world sailing adventure in a supportive, structured, and fun environment.
Sailing from the vibrant waterfront city of Portsmouth, you’ll live and sail on board our iconic 72ft Challenger yacht, gain hands-on big boat experience, learn about the ocean, and develop practical teamwork skills.
You’ll meet new people and take part in sailing activities such as helming, winching, and navigation. Along the way, you’ll develop essential life skills like problem-solving, communication, and social skills.
Young people with no sailing experience are welcomed on this Voyage of Exploration. Our experienced crew and mentors will make sure you feel safe, supported, and encouraged throughout the voyage.
A Voyage of Exploration is the first stage of our three-voyage programme of Exploration, Empowerment, and Leadership, designed to help you on your personal growth journey.
They’ll sail out into the Solent and then along the south coast of England.
Likely port visits may include Cowes, Yarmouth, Weymouth or, with some time to explore ashore.
New friendships. New skills. Increased confidence and self-esteem.
Throughout the week, they’ll experience helming a yacht, sail handling, ropework and knot tying, as well as learning how to keep safe onboard.
We divide the crew into two teams (watches) – traditionally, known as Port and Starboard.
In their watches, young people will take turns to be involved in all aspects of sailing the Challenger from deck duties and maintenance to cooking and cleaning.
Each crew member will receive a personal assessment covering their teamwork and communication skills.
You’ll hopefully get the chance to complete the RYA Start Yachting course while you’re on board.
The RYA Start Yachting syllabus includes:
- Sea terms and parts of a boat, rigging and sails
- Sail handling
- Ropework
- Personal safety equipment
- Man overboard recovery
- Clothing and emergency equipment
- ‘Rules of the road’ (at sea)
The cost of your RYA Start Yachting 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 Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.
If you’d like to complete this award on your voyage, just let us know before you set sail.
The Skipper will determine the final route depending on weather and other variables.
Your Skipper can also recommend that you return for another voyage and continue your personal growth journey through our three-voyage programme.
You could also receive a recommendation 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
