Sail training takes place all over the world and in many different types of vessel. Voyages on small vessels benefit from the intimacy of working on board within a small team. Different challenges confront those who undertake sail training on the huge and glamorous square-rigged ships, with much demanding work aloft as well as on deck. Sail training is an adventure activity for the young and old everywhere, with a record of considerable success in developing men and women of character and ability for the challenges of life.
The cost of sail training differs from one organisation or ship or country to another. Many ships take all nationalities so it is worth trying ships based in different countries from your own. Bursaries and funding may be available through Sail Training International or one of the National Sail Training Organisations so contact them to find out if you are eligible.
Class A: All square – rigged vessels (barque, barquentine, brig, brigantine or ship rigged) and all other vessel more than 40 metres Length Overall (LOA), regardless of rig.
Class B: Traditionally rigged vessels (ie gaff rigged sloops, ketches, yawls and schooners) with an LOA of less than 40 metres and with a waterline length (LWL) of at least 9.14 metres.
Class C: Modern rigged vessels (i.e Bermudan rigged sloops, ketches, yawls and schooners) with an LOA of less than 40 metres and with a waterline length (LWL) of at least 9.14 metres not carrying spinnaker-like sails
Class D: Modern rigged vessels (i.e Bermudan rigged sloops, ketches, yawls and schooners) with an LOA of less than 40 metres and with a waterline length (LWL) of at least 9.14 metres carrying spinnaker-like sails