Tall Ship sailing

[Honeyman]

I urge anyone who has any interest in a "Tall Ship" vacation/charter experience in just about the most idyllic sailing grounds in the world, short of the South Pacific, to check out this web-site:

http://www.islandwindjammers.com/Default.aspx

Ship was moved from The Galapagos Islands recently after being bought by a group of old customers of Windjammer Barefoot Cruises. After that company went belly up, these guys were so intent on continuing the spirit of Windjammer that they bought their own ship. I've personally sailed that area of the Windward Islands and can only tell you, it is absolutely fantastic sailing, beautiful islands and people.

 

[NotCook]

The Diamant shown on the linked website doesn't look like one of the former Windjammer Barefoot Cruises ships, and I don't believe they had any that size. I think the smallest they had was about 197'. Nonetheless, like the Windjammer Barefoot cruises, I expect this would be a great experience. We certainly enjoyed the two we were on. In fact, we had been scheduled for our third when they stopped sailing. I'll have to look into this further. Thanks for sharing!

 

[henkmeuzelaar]

The square-rigged topsail schooner S/V Alvei, under skipper Evan Logan, is currently anchored in Luganville, Vanuatu after helping Project MARC provide medical assistance to some of the remote communities in SE Malekula and Santo for the 5th year in a row.

They are presently one or two crew members short before being able to undertake the return voyage to New Zealand.

S/V Alvei is not a luxury ship and is in fact meant to let people experience the life of the square-rig sailors of yore (without the floggings and the scorbut, of course). Fortunately this also means that full board and accommodations are only approx US $ 30 per day.

Skipper Evan Logan can be reached via the website link above.

Fair winds and following seas!

Flying Dutchman

 

[Honeyman]

WOW, great to hear from Henk again down in Vanuatu, helping with Project MARC again. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been curious about how they fared with the underwater earthquakes down in their area. When you get time Henk, an update on how they're doing down there would be great.

Re: Windjammer Barefoot, yeah, I've been on 3 of their ships, Mandalay-Polynesia-Yankee Clipper, and all of them were very old, built in the 1920's or there about. All had upper decks tacked onto their former top decks that made them all sail like pigs and they motored everywhere. Clear difference with Diamant in that she was built in 1978 and built to SAIL! Sail she will in the area they've chosen...Grenada, Mayreau, Tobago Cays, Bequia, etc. where the trade winds blow 15-25 kts for months on end. No crowded mooring fields of boats with a "spring break" attitude like the BVI. If you haven't sailed the lower part of the Windward Islands, you're in for a pleasant surprise.

 

[Joe]

The Diamant shown on the linked website doesn't look like one of the former Windjammer Barefoot Cruises ships, and I don't believe they had any that size. I think the smallest they had was about 197'. Nonetheless, like the Windjammer Barefoot cruises, I expect this would be a great experience. We certainly enjoyed the two we were on. In fact, we had been scheduled for our third when they stopped sailing. I'll have to look into this further. Thanks for sharing!

I don't think he said they bought an old Windjammer boat. I think he said some old Windjammer clients bought their own boat.

 

[henkmeuzelaar]

"I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been curious about how they fared with the underwater earthquakes down in their area. When you get time Henk, an update on how they're doing down there would be great."

Thanks for asking!

Please click this S/V Alvei link to read a first-hand report of the underseas quake event from skipper Evan on page 1 of their website. Fortunately, it turned out to be a non-event as far as Tsunami threats, although on some islands there appears to have been significant damage from the quake itself.

Unfortunately, Nelleke and I had to sit out the 2009 Project-MARC season because Nelleke had to have a hip replacement. However, we managed to hand the Project MARC torch to a new generation of volunteers (Seamus O'bryan - health infrastructure director; SueLin Hilbert - medical director and Evan Logan - logistics director) who managed to do a great job this season in spite of the negative effect of the economic downturn on charities like Project MARC.

Most importantly, we sold Rivendel II in Australia and are planning to work in Vanuatu next season from a small land-based cabin using the "Ribster", a 17.5 ft Zodiac, which has already proven its worth as a coastal "humanitarian assault vehicle", to reach remote villages in SE Malekula.

Have fun,

 

[Honeyman]

Henk, we sure miss your regular posts from years past. Lots of news in this short exchange! I read the report from SV Alvei...very good write-up. Thanks so much for posting their link. I'd love to crew with them for awhile, but have had a hip replacement 4 yrs ago and a total shoulder replacement just 4 months ago, both have slowed me down. Sad to hear you guys sold RivendelII, it was such a great example of what is possible with a Hunter when it comes to long distance crusing. Its great that you and Nelleke will continue your volunteer work in Vanuatu, my impression is that you guys have helped to really make a difference for those folks down there. Its GREAT to hear what you're up to.

Side note, my understanding is that the folks who are running Diamant in the Windwards are working with a charity that benefits the children on the island of Mayreau.

 

[Warren Milberg]

One of the best gifts I ever received from my wife was 5 days as "Guest Crew" aboard the tall ship "Pride of Baltimore II." While we didn't hit any of the exotic islands mentioned by the other posters, we had a grand time sailing down the Chesapeake and up the Potomac River to Washington, DC. One night, we anchored off of George Washington's home in Mt Vernon and ship's crew offered a canon salute to our nation's founder. As "guest crew," we did everything the professional crew did from taking a turn at the wheel to polishing brass. Insurance restrictions, however, prevent you from going aloft (and I'm glad of that...!). If you ever have the opportunity to sail on a tall ship, you'll love it!

 

[Honeyman]

My last comment on Diamant for now, until I get to sail on her, is that the ship offers a great sailing experience for a group larger than 4-6-8 which is the limit with most monohulls and cats. Looking at their prices, they're in line with most bareboat prices I've looked at ,but they're gonna feed you and supply beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, tea. Onboard cook, crew to keep your cabin clean, plus a great captain experienced in the area to make sure you enjoy yourself. Sounds pretty good to me!

http://www.islandwindjammers.com/Default.aspx