Sail A Tall Ship

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A Tall Ship Sailing Adventure

Have you ever dreamed of sailing on a tall ship?

This site is a directory of tall ships around the world that you can sail on as a trainee crew member.  Many of these tall ships are also available for charter cruises.

Each sail training ship is listed with pictures and a website link for you to find more information and begin planning your sailing adventure.

There are even specially built tall ships for people with physical challenges to sail.

What's A Tall Ship? 

A Tall Ship is simply a wind powered ship with tall masts. The term typically refers to large sailing vessels that were the warships, freighters and ocean liners of their day before the use of modern engines.

A tall ship does not have to be built entirely of wood, most built in the late 19th and early 20th century had wrought iron or steel hulls and masts.

Tall ships are classified according to their rig (the number of masts and configuration of the sails). The basic rigs include full rigged ship, brig, barque, brigantine and barquentine. Click here for a full list of sailing ship rig definitions.

Dar Młodzieży by Bruno Girin

Full Rigged Ship

Alexander von Humbolt by Bruno Girin

Barque

Crossing "The Line" by anoldent

Brigantine

curated content from Flickr

Barque Picton Castle 

Home Port: Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, Canada

During her lifetime, the Picton Castle has served as a fishing trawler, minesweeper, freighter and schoolroom. The ship's home port is Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, but spends most of her time sailing the seas with up to 40 trainees at a time.

She also starred as the pirate ship in CBS' reality TV show Pirate Master.

2009-07-08_14-43-58 by joannapoe

The Picton Castle

curated content from Flickr

Sørlandet 

Home Port: Kristiansand, Norway

The full-rigged ship Sorlandet was launched as a training ship in 1927 in Kristiansand, Norway. In 1933, she had the honor of serving as the Norwegian pavilion at the World Fair in Chicago after making her first Atlantic crossing. The Sorlandet can accomodate up to 70 trainees during the summer months and is also available for charter cruises.

Bowsprit of Sørlandet and open sea by Bruno Girin

Sorlandet's Bowsprit

Working in the rigging by Bruno Girin

Sorlandet's Rigging

curated content from Flickr

Bark Europa 

Home Port: The Hague, Netherlands

A three masted barque, the Europa was built in 1911 and fully restored in 1994. Carrying a crew of 14 professionals and 48 voyage crew members (trainees), she spends most of the year at sea but is also available for day trips and charters.

2009-07-08_12-05-45 by joannapoe

Europa

Europa by Bruno Girin

Europa

curated content from Flickr

Tall Ship Documentaries 

Sail 2000, Aboard the Eagle

Sail aboard the US Coast Guard's USS Eagle as she sails with other tall ships into New York Harbor.

Sea Warriors - The Royal Navy in the Age of Sail

Learn what life was really like aboard a man of war during the era of "Nelson's Navy".

The Great Ships - The Schooners (History Channel)

This film covers the history of American schooners, from fishing boats to privateers.

Christian Radich 

Home Port: Oslo, Norway

The Norwegian Christian Radich was built in 1937 to serve as a training ship. Her amazing history includes setting speed records crossing the Atlantic, being sunk during World War II and starring in the 1955 movie, "Windjammer". She takes on trainees and charters.

Christian Radich by EnDumEn

Christian Radich

Christian Radich by DaffyDuke

Christian Radich in Esbjerg by Bruno Girin

Christian Radich

curated content from Flickr

Picton Castle Video 

Sail the world with tall ship Picton Castle

Learn how hundreds of people have sailed the world with Picton Castle, a sail training ship based in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada. In 10 years, this tall ship has circled the globe four times, visiting places you and I only dream of. But travel's only the half of it. Trainees are full members of the crew, hauling lines, handling sails, hoisting the anchor and heading aloft. No previous sailing experience is needed; the ship's professional crew teaches you all you need to know. Currently at Lunenburg, the Picton Castle is getting ready for her next epic adventure, a 12-month voyage to Europe, Africa and the West Indies.

Runtime: 541
15860 views
11 Comments:

curated content from YouTube

Life Aboard A Tall Ship 

The Last of the Cape Horners: Firsthand Accounts From the Final Days of the Commercial Tall Ships

A collection of true first hand experiences woven together as a voyage around the world.

Sailing Tall: Around the World on the Square-rigged PASSAT (1946-1948)

Documents the first hand experience of an apprentice on one of the last commercial voyages of a square-rigger.

US Brig Niagara 

Home Port: Erie, Pennsylvania, USA

The original Niagara was built in 1813 during the War of 1812. Under the command of Commodore Perry, she was a key part of the American victory over the British in the Battle of Lake Erie. This replica was built in 1988 and includes some of the timbers from the original ship. She serves as a Sailing School Vessel during the summer and can be toured at the Erie Maritime Museum the rest of the year.

Tall ship Niagara passes the Lorain lighthouse by ronnie44052

Sailing Into Lorain

Rigging in the Niagara by Benimoto

Niagara's Rigging

Brig Niagara by jtailspin

Brig Niagara

The Niagara, from the Boyer by Benimoto

US Brig Niagara

curated content from Flickr

Statsraad Lehmkuhl 

Home Port: Bergen, Norway

Built in 1914 as a German merchant marine training ship, the Statsraad Lehmkuhl is a three masted barque that was acquired by Norway after World War I. She takes on trainees and chartered mini-cruises.

Hoisting the Royal Yard by Bruno Girin

The Statsraad Lehmkuhl, Bergen by tuey

Statsraad Lehmkuhl by Guillaume Cattiaux

Statsraad Lehmkuhl

Norwegian Competition by Bruno Girin

Statsraad Lehmkuhl by tomasekeli

Home in Bergen

curated content from Flickr

Books About Tall Ships 

People Of All Physical Abilities Can Sail! 

Thousands of people with a wide variety of disabilities including blindness, paraplegia and multiple sclerosis have sailed a tall ship with the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST). The JST is a registered charity that owns and operates Lord Nelson and Tenacious, the only two tall ships in the world designed and built to enable people of all physical abilities to sail side-by-side as equals.

Their ships sail the coasts of Europe, the Canary Islands, and participate in international tall ship races. Whether out for a day sail or a month long cruise on one of these ships, everyone who sails becomes part of the crew regardless of ability.

Photo Credit: JST

Lord Nelson 

Home Port: Southampton, UK

Launched in 1986, the Lord Nelson is the first of two tall ships specially designed and built by the Jubilee Sailing Trust to enable people with physical challenges to crew and sail a tall ship.

She is a three masted barque that sails from Southampton, UK, for day sails and longer voyages.

Photo Credit: JST

Tenacious 

Home Port: Southampton, UK

The Tenacious is a three masted barque specially designed and built by the Jubilee Sailing Trust to enable people with physical challenges to crew and sail a tall ship. She was launched in 2000 and sails from Southampton, UK, for day sails and longer voyages.

Photo Credit: JST

Sail Training Organizations 

Sail Training International (STI)
Sail Training International is a UK based nonprofit organization with worldwide membership and activities. Their mission is the development and education of young people from all nationalities, cultures, religions and social backgrounds through sail training. STI was recently nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for its activities.
The American Sail Training Association (ASTA)
A nonprofit organization focused on youth education, leadership development and the preservation of the maritime heritage of North America. This organization also organizes the annual TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® race series.

Leeuwin II 

Home Port: Fremantle, Australia

The Leeuwin II is a three masted barquentine that sails out of Fremantle, Western Australia. She sails primarily along the Western Australian coastline.

In addition to sail training, Leeuwin II offers day sails, brunch sails, school field trips and private charters. You can even book your voyage online.

Pride of Baltimore II 

Home Port: Baltimore, Maryland, USA

The Pride of Baltimore II is a reproduction of an 1812-era Clipper privateer. She sails as a goodwill ambassador of the State of Maryland. You can sail as a guest crew member for cruises from three days up to two weeks or more.

Pride of Baltimore II by Alan Cordova

Pride of Baltimore II

Pride of Baltimore II by Beige Alert

DSC_0017.NEF by ckramer

Pride of Baltimore II's deck

curated content from Flickr

The First Pride of Baltimore 

The original Pride of Baltimore was built in 1976 and sank during a storm in 1986 returning from a 2 year voyage to Europe. Four of her crew were lost.

This book documents the construction of the ship, the tragic ending of her final voyage and the efforts of her crew to survive.

S/V Denis Sullivan 

Home Port: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

The Denis Sullivan is a reproduction of a 19th century Great Lakes cargo schooner. She serves today as a scientific education and nautical training vessel. You can join her crew for day sails on the Great Lakes or sign up for one of her educational expeditions.

Denis Sullivan by Kurt Magoon

Denis Sullivan by Beige Alert

curated content from Flickr

Other Recommended Tall Ship Sites 

Tall Ships [ Join Now | Ring Hub | Random | << Prev | Next >> ]

Tour A Tall Ship
This site contains information on tall ships around the world that are open for the public to tour. It focuses on ships that are primarily stationary exhibits, but some do set sail occasionally.
Tall Ship Tracking Map
This very cool website maps the location of several tall ships as they sail across the globe using weather and ham radio reports. It also provides the ability to plot each ship's course over time.
Tall Ships Today
A site by the executive director of the ASTA with pics and video from the latest race series.

Museum Ships 

If you don't have time to spend at sea, take a tour of a historic ship in port. Below are directories of different types of museum ships that you can tour.

Sign the Logbook 

Have you sailed on a tall ship? Plan to? Please share your story...

submit
  • Reply
    Pukeko Pukeko Oct 25, 2009 @ 2:28 am
    Fun lens. I sailed on a tall ship back in my single days, but just for a week long holiday.
  • Reply
    Sam Harvey Sam Harvey Aug 17, 2009 @ 12:04 am
    Working on my "bucket list", i am looking for a day trip on a tall ship. Any one have any recommendations?
  • Reply
    Sozio27 Sozio27 Aug 8, 2009 @ 6:49 pm
    Hey, Im looking to possibly crew a tall ship for the summer of 2010 (roughly from late may till august). Need a summer job before college, plus this would be the chance of a lifetime. Ive grown up around boats and my family has always had one growing up. I love being on the water.. any one know of a ship that hires for the summer or any advice would be appreciated.
    Thanks!
  • Reply
    Mac33 Mac33 Jul 9, 2009 @ 7:01 pm | in reply to ORH-Sr
    ORH-Sr, thanks for the good words, I'm glad you liked the lenses. They were some of my favorites to build. You can find more tall ship lenses and fans at the Tall Ships Group.

    Yes, I toured the HMS Bounty while she was in St. Pete. Many years ago. Looking forward to reading your Stad Amsterdam lens!
  • Reply
    ORH-Sr ORH-Sr Jul 8, 2009 @ 11:44 pm
    Mac33,

    It's me again. You mentioned touring the HMS Bounty as a kid. Was that at the pier in St. Petersburg Fl. by any chance. I toured it there years ago.

    Again great lenses.
  • Load More

Photo Credits 

Except where otherwise noted, the tall ship photos on this site are used under Creative Commons from their respective owners.

Leeuwin II used by permission of CarlosEOS30D.
Wheelchair in Rigging used by permission of Jubilee Sailing Trust.
Lord Nelson used by permission of Jubilee Sailing Trust.
Tenacious used by permission of Jubilee Sailing Trust.

by Mac33

A fan of tall ships ever since I toured the HMS Bounty as a kid.

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