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 tall ship 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 tall ships 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. Here's a full list of sailing ship rig definitions.

Dar Młodzieży by Bruno Girin
Alexander von Humbolt by Bruno Girin
Crossing "The Line" by anoldent
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
DSC_1451 by archer10 (Dennis)
Picton Castle, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia by cphoffman42
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
Working in the rigging by Bruno Girin
Sorlandet by sketchyparrot
Sorlandet by savagecat
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 by Bruno Girin
curated content from Flickr

Tall Ship Documentaries

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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 by DaffyDuke
Christian Radich in Esbjerg by Bruno Girin
Christian Radich by savagecat
Jolie Brise & Christian Radich,Tall Ships 2011 by easylocum
curated content from Flickr

Picton Castle Video

Sail the world with tall ship Picton Castle
by doryplug | video info

0 ratings | 25,923 views
curated content from YouTube

Life Aboard A Tall Ship

Read and learn more about life sailing a tall ship.
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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
Rigging in the Niagara by Benimoto
Brig Niagara by jslaughterbeck1
The Niagara, from the Boyer by Benimoto
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
Norwegian Competition by Bruno Girin
Statsraad Lehmkuhl by tomasekeli
curated content from Flickr

Books About Tall Ships

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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 Beige Alert
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.
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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.
Sail Training International Tall Ship Races in 2011
Each year Sail Training International organizes several tall ship races. Thanks to Bruno Girin for providing the link! Check out his awesome tall ship photos.

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.
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Sail Back To Your Favorite Tall Ship

Here's a handy page index to jump back to any ship you'd like to revisit...
  1. Barque Picton Castle
  2. Sørlandet
  3. Bark Europa
  4. Christian Radich
  5. US Brig Niagara
  6. Statsraad Lehmkuhl
  7. Lord Nelson
  8. Tenacious
  9. Leeuwin II
  10. Pride of Baltimore II
  11. S/V Denis Sullivan

Sign the Logbook

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

  • Pan_narrans May 21, 2012 @ 4:50 pm | delete
    Thanks for noticing my lens about my local tall ship. I only had a few hours, in a gale, so she could only use two small sails. It was great.
    Everybody should try the experience if they can.
  • mihgasper May 18, 2012 @ 11:05 am | delete
    No, but want to!
    Another great lens:-)
  • VisFeminea Apr 16, 2012 @ 4:49 pm | delete
    Amazing collected info! I love to sail ;)
  • CountrySunshine Apr 1, 2012 @ 4:53 pm | delete
    Years ago, there was a cruise company called Windjammer Barefoot Cruises. You could go on the cruise & just relax, or become part of the crew. I always wanted to do it, and now the company is non-existent. I see that there are still options available. I enjoyed the article. Thanks!
  • flicker Jan 19, 2012 @ 1:50 pm | delete
    Never sailed on a tall ship, but watched them come into Boston Harbor one year. Nice lens. I especially enjoyed reading about the history of the various ships.
  • TransplantedSoul Dec 7, 2011 @ 7:25 am | delete
    These tall ships are beautiful. I remember touring the Christian Radich years ago when it was in port in Montreal.
  • Karen1960 Nov 27, 2011 @ 7:26 am | delete
    I did a day sail on Tenacious (out of Southampton) a couple of years back. Awesome, and I hope that some day I'll be able to afford a longer trip.
  • webuser0150 Nov 19, 2011 @ 5:04 pm | delete
    would love to sail with one of those boats
  • SIALicenceUK Oct 29, 2011 @ 2:32 am | delete
    would love to do this some day!
  • Close2Art Oct 10, 2011 @ 9:34 pm | delete
    I've been on some decent size sailboats but none like these..they are amazing and so grand!!! Great page..:)rwjr
  • paulbarton Sep 24, 2011 @ 2:44 pm | delete
    As someone who has sailed several times on the Malcolm Miller, sister-ship to the Sir Winston Churchill, I can only suggest that if you ever get the opportunity to sail on any tall ship seize it with both hands.
  • COUNTRYLUTHIER Sep 12, 2011 @ 1:36 pm | delete
    Still amazing that hundreds of years later, you can sail around the world with only nature powering you and stars and the sun to guide you. Outstanding nautical lens seafarer squid!
  • Phillyfreeze69 Sep 10, 2011 @ 4:19 pm | delete
    Although I never had the opportunity to see a Tall Sip up close, I did see the celebration of Tall Ships entering the New York harbor in 1976 when I was a student at Parsons School of Design.

    What was amazing to me where the mast and the navigational expertise the sailors of hundreds of years past possessed. Absolutely amazing.
  • NidhiRajat Sep 8, 2011 @ 2:12 am | delete
    I like to travel on ship..............!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • RenaissanceWoman2010 Aug 15, 2011 @ 9:34 am | delete
    Fabulous lens. I visited my first tall ship in Galveston, TX. To circumnavigate on one of these beautiful ships would be the experience of a lifetime. **Blessed**
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Tall Ship 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.

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Tall Ships In Books & Movies 

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My Favorite Tall Ship Movie 

Master and Commander - The Far Side of the World (Widescreen Collector's Edition)

Amazon Price: $22.10 (as of 06/04/2012)Buy Now

A superb, action packed movie based on Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander novels. The ship (HMS Rose/HMS Surprise) is the real star of this movie that also features Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany.