The Caribbean
ISLAND HOPPING ON PRIVATEERS AND TALL SHIPS
CLASSIC SAILING
www.classic-sailing.co.uk
Parton Vrane, Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5ET
[email protected]
+44 (0)1872 580022
Caribbean for trade winds and tropical sun
Coral Reefs & Marine Wildlife
The Caribbean West Indies is perhaps the most perfect sailing ground
in the world in terms of wind, sunshine and variety of places to visit.
The Caribbean sits squarely in the North East trade wind belt and
January to March is peak season and well outside the hurricane
season. Ships like Grayhound or Tall Ship Lord Nelson revel in strong
winds and boisterous turquoise seas and the white square sails look
magnificent against the deep blue skies. Few things beat a tropical
sunset at anchor away from the tourist hustle and bustle ashore.
Some of the best dive sites in the world are in the Caribbean, but you
don't have to be a diver to enjoy them. In Scott’s Bay, Dominica you
can swim off the beach with a snorkel and face mask and go from
swimming over a shallow coral sea bed to a sheer underwater wall
descending 4000ft. Alive with fish, coral and upwelling plankton, this
sunken volcanic crater is also deep enough for Sperm Whales to swim
close inshore. Grayhound’s deckhand Charlie has a degree in Marine
Conservation and is a PADI Dive Master and free diver so you have an
expert on hand to introduce you to the deep.
Lush rainforests, mountains and waterfalls
If you have been dazzled by the natural scenery in the 'Pirates of the
Caribbean' movies then both Guadeloupe and Dominica are much
closer to the lush volcanic island paradise in the movie than the
perfect white beach image of holiday brochures. The second movie
'Dead Mans Chest' and 3rd Capt Jack Sparrow adventure At 'World's
End' were filmed in the rainforests of Dominica. See the wilder side.
Caribbean Island Life
The cliché is that the Caribbean is very laid back. The reality is that
every island community and culture is different. Compare the French
sophistication and fashion conscious young people of Guadeloupe
and Martinique, where people watching is an art form, to the Caribs
of Dominica pushing their solid dugout canoes out into the ocean with
hand woven fish traps.
“15 men on a dead mans chest.
Yo ho ho and a barrel of rum”
CLASSIC SAILING
www.classic-sailing.co.uk
Parton Vrane, Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5ET
[email protected]
+44 (0)1872 580022
Privateer in the Caribbean
Carriacou - Largest of the Grenadines
The beauty of cruising on such a distinctive vessel with a baby on
board and a crew of mixed ages is that the local islanders will be
fascinated. You are not typical tourists and there is a tale to tell.
Marcus and Freya have many friends in the Caribbean and creative
ideas about what to do ashore. Anchor off lesser known islands
around the Grenadines, Guadeloupe, Martinique or join the classic
boat scene by racing at St Martin or Antigua Classics. Grayhound has
a professional crew of 5 and is geared up to supply action for
individuals, but with family friendly chill out time too.
The hundreds of tiny islands that make up the Grenadines, sprinkled
across 60 miles of the southern Caribbean, are one of the world's
great cruising grounds. There is rarely more than a morning's sail
between
islands,
and
most
have
protected
anchorages on the western or leeward side. They provide their own
pattern for a journey - morning departures, midday anchorages,
afternoon exploring and an evening laze. Yachts have been coming
here for decades, and the snorkelling is awesome.
Grenada & the Grenadines—The Spice Islands
A cluster of small deserted islands surrounded by coral reefs and
splendidly clear turquoise waters. The islands which are cactus
studded and rocky have perfect beaches of powdery white sands.
The Tobago Cays have been set aside as a National Park - principally
to protect the marine life and are brilliant for snorkelling.
Grenada is the most southerly of the Windward Islands and only 100
miles from Venezuela (and the furthest from Florida !). Grenada and
Carriacou were a British Colony upto 1958 so the British heritage is
still noticable.
The three island nation of Grenada, Carricou and Petit Martinique
covers about 133 square miles. The mountainous interior of
Grenada is rugged, thickly forested and cut by valleys and streams,
but the South side of the island has a indented coastline of jutting
peninsulas and deep bays. These anchorages combine with off shore
islands make it a paradise for sailing vessels like Grayhound. She
spends her life anchoring, and is well equipped for exploring ashore
with her ships boats including a small rowing gig. Forays inland
through rainforest can explore cascading rivers, waterfalls and
mountain lakes.
Armadillos and Humming Birds
Tobago Cays - Find your own Desert Island
Climate - Compare this to a British Winter !
Grenada has dazzling sunshine and average daily temperatures in
February of 84 degrees F (29 degrees C) are tempered by the
constant breeze of the trade winds, typically Force 4-6 and ideal for
exciting sailing on a three mast lugger. In Grenada the driest months
are January to April but you will still get the occasional dramatic
rainstorm to top up the lush rainforest. The suns comes out again
and everything glistens. Carriacou is much drier. Without booms on
the sails there is plenty of safe deck space, but if the sun gets to hot
there is a roomy wheel house to hide in and charts to study. At
anchor it is easy to rig a awning (canvas roof) to cover a bit of the
deck, where you can still enjoy a 360 view of the Caribbean.
In terms of mammals Grenada has armadillos, opossum and
mongoose. Bird life includes humming birds, pelicans, brown
boobies and osprey hawks.
“ I came for tropical sunshine and to find my piece of paradise
ashore. I didn’t expect to fall in love with the thrill of fast ‘Windy
Indies’ sailing where the salt spray was a thing of pleasure .”
Diana, the reluctant sailor, 2010
pilot cutters
luggers
www.classic-sailing.co.uk
barques & brigs
schooners
Parton Vrane, Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5ET
trading ketches
[email protected]
trawlers
+44 (0)1872 580022
Bequia - Boatbuilding and Whaling Tradition
A charming island of sea-faring traditions, steeped in nautical
history. Wooden schooners are still built on the beaches and there is
a whaling museum ashore. Bequia's shipbuilding heritage lives
through local artisans who build wooden scale models of the
traditional schooners and Bequian whaling boats. The locals will be
thrilled to see a large wooden working boat like Grayhound arrive....
St Lucia - dominated by the Pitons
The twin peaks of the Pitons Mountains make St Lucia unmistakable
for navigators, and the class Caribbean tourist resorts tend to be
concentrated in the North West. South of Castries St Lucia is
markedly rural with a mix of small fishing villages, banana
plantations and untamed jungle. The sheer terrain continues
underwater with many seamounts, caves and big drop reefs, so
again snorkelling can be pretty spectacular. There are buses to the
trail head for some great mountain trails - and look out for the rare
St Lucia parrot.
“Oostershelde & Europa aim to sail around
Cape Horn without using their engines for the 3000
miles between these two oceans. – in the true style
of the last of the windjammers.” Dutch Tall Ships
pilot cutters
luggers
www.classic-sailing.co.uk
barques & brigs
schooners
Parton Vrane, Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5ET
trading ketches
[email protected]
trawlers
+44 (0)1872 580022
Adventures in the French Caribbean
An exploration of the French islands, more European in feel and like
all the islands we will visit steeped in history. Part of the Guadaloupe
group of islands, Les Saintes are a quieter archipelago perfect for
swimming and relaxing in. We will visit the independent nation of
Dominica an island that is part rain forest and has a group of Carib
Indians still living there. We will explore going deep into the island's
interior before sailing north to Antigua.
Lush rainforests, mountains and waterfalls
If you have been dazzled by the natural scenery in the 'Pirates of the
Caribbean' movies then you are likely to find them in the French
Caribbean. Guadeloupe and Dominica featured in the films and have
mountainous terrain, waterfalls, black sand beaches and lush
rainforests.
Dominica - for Marine Nature Reserves
Some of the best dive sites in the Caribbean are on Dominica. The
coast of this lush, green island has many Marine Nature Reserves that
attract divers from all over the world but you don't have to be a diver
to enjoy them.
Whilst Grayhound cannot anchor in the marine reserves, she does
have ships boats to go where the mother ship cannot so a snorkelling
expedition away from the ship is always possible. Frigate birds with
their huge wingspan often swoop the beaches in Dominica, and the
local fishermen still use canoes dug out from a single tree.
Les Saintes
Les Saintes - is a favourite stop for Freya and Marcus. Eight small
islands lie just south of Guadeloupe. Terre de Haut has a distinctly
different history from Guadeloupe. Too hilly and dry for sugar
plantations, slavery was never part of the culture and the population
are known as 'blue eyes' as many can trace their roots back to Breton
and Norman seafarers. A strikingly beautiful landscape with many
fishermen.
pilot cutters
luggers
www.classic-sailing.co.uk
barques & brigs
schooners
Parton Vrane, Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5ET
trading ketches
[email protected]
trawlers
+44 (0)1872 580022
Leeward Islands & Classic Yacht Racing
St Martin Classics Regatta - Trade Wind Blasts
Starting in Antigua we will sail past volcanic Monserrat and Nevis then
on to visit St Barts and St Martin. These island are more
contemporary compared to the southern Grenadines. We hope to
race at St Martin Classic Regatta. We end the voyage back in Antigua
relaxing in the cluster of beautiful beaches in its Five Islands.
This is the less full on voyage than the Antigua Classics. Explore the
Leeward Islands and take part in a bit of racing amongst some very
beautiful classic yachts. Marcus has raced on his tiny purple lugger
Veracity at this gathering of classic yachts from around the world. He
must have felt like he was trying to be a giant slayer then, but this
time the lugger crew are back with something bigger. We suspect a
three masted lugger that is 106ft overall will have never been seen
under full sail amongst the yachties...but maybe the islanders will
know of similar working boat rigs that trading cargoes between the
islands many years ago.
Active Volcano on Monserratt
In 1997 the volcano on Monserratt erupted, killing 19 people and
buring the capital Plymouth. About half the population still live on the
safer side of the island Even in 2010 the volcano proved it was still
pretty active, so if you sail by at night you may see lava glowing on the
hillside.
St Barts
Large areas of St Barts are a marine nature reserve ( St Bathelemy
Natural Marine Reserve). You can snorkel, swim, handline for fish and
collect a maximum of three conches. Water ski-ing and jet skis are
banned - yippee. Grayhound can anchor as long as she avoids the
coral. As a holiday hideaway St Barts is quite hard to get to so it is still
pretty 'exclusive.'
St Martin - Sint Maarten
An understandably popular Caribbean destination with large numbers
of superb white sand beaches and dangerously cheap duty free shops.
The Northern half of the Island is French. The South is Dutch.
pilot cutters
luggers
www.classic-sailing.co.uk
barques & brigs
Antigua Classics - Race and Party Hard in the Sun
Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta week. One of the high lights of the year.
Racing in the warm wind and sunshine against the best of the classic
scene in the world. The days are full on hard racing followed by
parties at night, lots of rum and beautiful people to socialise with.
You have got to be up for this one !!!
Group of Eight or Individuals
This is in 2014 so we are giving you plenty of warning. If you are
looking for a very special week in the Caribbean for a group of friends
then this would be awesome. There will be nothing like Grayhound
at this event and if you like to turn heads it is a lot easier to be
different than try and out-swank the most beautiful yachts in the
schooners
Parton Vrane, Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5ET
trading ketches
[email protected]
trawlers
+44 (0)1872 580022
Classic Trade Wind Trans Atlantic Crossing
Grayhound Sails Cape Verde to Caribbean
Join Grayhound for Christmas, New Year and an Atlantic blue water
crossing ! We aim to leave Cape Verde promptly as the passage is
approx 2000 sea miles and we estimate to be at sea for 14 days. This
should leave a few days to relax in the West Indies on arrival. This
voyage is for those who want to experience a long ocean passage in
the trade winds, the same route that the trade ships used to sail .
Crew will be fully involved in the running of the ship. You will take
part in the watch system and cooking and need to be healthy, fit and
active !
Rite of Passage for Christmas and the New Year
Crossing the Atlantic is on many sailors bucket list as well as the goal
of the adventure traveller. To make the crossing in a three mast
lugger is so unique that you many well be the first crew to do it for
over 100 years. It is well worth starting a trans Atlantic from as far
South as Cape Verde for sensational blue water sailing, tropical sun
and strong trade winds.
Trans Atlantic back to Azores for Midsummer
After Antigua Classics Grayhound heads back across the Atlantic to
the Azores. The Azores has welcomed Ocean travellers and sailors for
centuries, and both Freya and Marcus have spent many months in
these islands during their various ocean wandering. It is a unique
place and will bring out the explorer in you. Both are experienced
Tall Ship Lord Nelson - Heading Home
British barques Lord Nelson and Tenacious are regular winter visitors
to the Caribbean. These two sister ships have been purpose built so
able bodied and disabled crews can sail as equals on big adventures.
Currently Lord Nelson is sailing around the world 2013-2014, so
Tenacious gets to stay at home. There are no short Caribbean
holidays based in Antigua or Gauadloupe at the moment, but Lord
Nelson will be sailing up the whole Caribbean Island Chain as she
heads North from Brazil
Fancy a Career Break ? Brazil & Caribbean to Canada
In June 2014 Lord Nelson sails from Recife in Brazil to Halifax in
Canada. This epic 45 day voyage covers 4500 miles and if you are a
greenhorn there will be a certain ceremony involving Neptune as you
cross the equator…..as you turn into a ‘Shellback’ and hardened
ocean sailor. The ships Captain will have their favourite Caribbean
Islands from past explorations and despite the miles to cover, they
have the whole Windward, Leeward, French Caribbean, and Bahamas
Banks to choose from. The ship continues up the East Coast of
America, past Maine and reaching Nova Scotia in August 2014
One off voyage on Lord Nelson 45 days for £ 2950
18 June - 1st August 2014 Recife, Brazil to Halifax, Canada.
Help show the world what disabled and able bodied crew can do.
sextant users if you want to learn astro navigation.
pilot cutters
luggers
www.classic-sailing.co.uk
barques & brigs
schooners
Parton Vrane, Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5ET
trading ketches
[email protected]
trawlers
+44 (0)1872 580022
Grayhound Voyage Summary
Getting to the Caribbean
Vessel Details - Grayhound
23 Dec - 13 Jan 2014
21 days £2000
Trans Atlantic Crossing over Christmas
(Starts in Praia, Santiago in Cape Verde
to Bridgetown, Barbados)
Voyages do not include flights.
See our PORT INFORMATION webpage
for latest flight options, airport transfer
to port, where to meet the ship and
travel tips for:
Grayhound is a three masted lugger
and replica of a 1776 Cornish
Privateer. She has been built for
combined roles of friendly ocean
charter vessel, sail training ship and a
family home for Freya, Marcus and
their young son Malachi.
23 Jan—3 Feb 2014
11 days £1650
Grenadines & Grenada exploration
(St Georges, Grenada to St Georges)
Praia, on Santiago in Cape Verde
Saint Anne, Martinique
We have many pages on our website
about this unique new wooden vessel
from the build project through to her
first sailing voyages in May 2013.
there are profiles on Marcus and
Freya and the rest of the crew, photo
galleries and much more.
English Harbour, Antigua
PDF Vessel Brochure to send to friends
Flights between islands
Vessel Details - Lord Nelson
Several of Grayhound’s voyages start on
one island and finish on another. Some
may be more economical to buy a long
haul return and an inter island flight.
Others may work better with an open
jaw ticket into one country and out of
another. For the second option you
need a specialist broker like dial-a-flight
to get you the best prices.
PDF Vessel Brochure on Lord Nelson
Bridgetown, Barbados
4-18th Feb 2014
14 days £2100
Grenada and North to St Lucia
(St Georges, Grenada to St Lucia)
St Georges, Grenada
St Lucia
5-19 March 2014
14 days £2100
French Caribbean (St Anne, Martinique
to English Harbour, Antigua)
21 March - 4 April 2014 14 days £2100
Island hopping and St Martins Classics
Starts/finishes English Harbour, Antigua
16-23 April 2014
7 days £1400
Full on 7 days racing, parties and
spectacle in turquoise blue seas. Race
Grayhound at Antigua Classics.
26 April—24 May 2014 28 days £2660
Trans Atlantic Caribbean to Azores
English Harbour to Horta, Azores
Lord Nelson was the first ship in the
world to be designed and built to
enable people of all physical abilities
to sail side by side on equal terms. She
is a traditionally rigged barque with a
few adaptions to make her more
inclusive.
CLASSIC SAILING
www.classic-sailing.co.uk
Parton Vrane, Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5ET
[email protected]
+44 (0)1872 580022