TRIP TYPE & NAME
ROUTE
Starts: Vigo, Spain. Ends: Madeira
DATES & PRICE
Oct 29 - Nov 10 2019. £1,820 (£400 deposit reserves a berth)
Make your sailing holiday a true adventure this year and join the crew of a 60' sailing yacht as we voyage from Coruna in Spain past Finisterre, Europe's most westerly point, down to the beautiful fortress city of Baiona. From there, and via a day or so in the stunning islands that form a national park, we head out into the Atlantic Ocean for nearly 700nm of wild, wonderful and exciting ocean sailing. Experience life at sea under the expert tutelage of leading instructors as we sail through the days and nights, experiencing magnificent starscapes and sunsets. Learn a host of new skills and make memories and new friends to last a lifetime.
NO PREVIOUS SAILING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. FULL TUITION GIVEN
14 - 14
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Sail every day to a new place
Full crew involvement
Top quality sailing tuition
Lots of time ashore to explore
An average crew looks like
Aged 30-65
Mix of men and women
80% + come alone
None to moderate experience
Buy two trips at the same time (same passenger) and book up some serious adventure. Free accommodation on board between back to back trips.
We can often find long haul flights cheaper than those you find online. If you can't find flights you like, feel free to ask.
A MORE DETAILED ITINERARY
This is a typical itinerary. What makes ocean sailing so special however is that there can be no fixed itinerary. The wind and the weather ultimately shape what's possible each day but everything is very flexible within that.
Day 1: Joining day
Join the boat between 1200 and 2000hrs (the closer to 1200 the better but we know flights and such like don't always work like that, so don't worry!) Get your belongings packed away and relax. There's plenty of things to do in the future but right now it's about relaxing, finding your way around the boat and enjoying the surroundings. Spain is a great place to be at this time of year and there's lots to do and see ashore.
Day 2: Briefings and training in the beautiful Rias
Today is all about getting up to speed with the boat. Whether you are a complete novice or more experienced sailor, everyone benefits from detailed introductions, safety briefings and training sessions. You will have two highly experienced instructors guide you through every aspect that you need to know to have a great sailing holiday. By lunchtime we should be casting off the lines, hoisting the sails and working through all the key sailing manoeuvres such as tacking and gybing, reefing and knot tying! By the end of the day everyone on board should feel comfortable with the basics - even though there's more to learn and practice every day. We may well anchor in the Isles de Clies, a truly beautiful nature reserve.
Days 3-5: Exploring the Rias & preparation for the big crossing
We'll spend the next few days sailing in and exploring the charmin Rias. It is usually still lovely and warm at this time of year, but we will have the water to ourselves. There are endless lovely towns and anchorages to explore each day. We'll end in Baiona. It is a beautiful fortifed town, there is loads to see with its special history and the weather is usually perfect for tapas and a cold beer or two prior to our big ocean passage. There are also the beautiful islands of the nature reserve where we can anchor and explore. This is a very special place. With over 700nm of open ocean sailing ahead of us, we'll spend a full day making detailed passage plans, preparations and victualling the boat with all sorts of lovely food and meals. It's fantastic training for everyone and we'll be checking sails, storm sail, drogues and all the other equipment needed for this type of voyage.
Days 6-10: Ocean sailing passage to Madeira
The actual days we make this passage will depend entirely on the weather at the time. Once we set off into the Atlantic Ocean, you will settle into a 24 hour watch system where you will alternate between navigating, helming and trimming sales, galley duty and cooking up a hearty meal for the crew and off watch time where you can sleep, rest, read and contemplate. Life at sea is very special and you will soon be into the rhythm and a fully involved member of the crew. You can expect to be at sea for around 5 days and nights, depending on conditions.
Days 11-12: Exploring Madeira
If we have made good time, it's lovely to spend a day sailing to Funchal, the capital. Wherever we go, it's a matter of relaxing and exploring all that this island has to offer. The weather is usually warm and after all those days at sea, there is nothing better than some serious rest, recuperation and fun with the crew. Every adventure holiday needs some down time too!
Day 13: Debrief & clean up
It's always amazing how quickly everyone has become firm friends and the boat and its routines seem so familiar. Yet it's time to wrap it all up and head home. We'll get the boat back to how we found it, sign logbooks, exchange emails and disembark by 1200hrs
TRAVEL - GETTING TO & FROM YOUR TRIP
JOINING & LEAVING THE BOAT
FLYING
Airline websites
If you are joining as a watch leader, you should be at the boat ready to start lessons at 1000 hrs on October 29th
KEY INFORMATION
These adventure sailing holidays are open to everyone aged 18 years and over. If you are aged 70 or over, or have any concerns about your health, we ask that you get a doctor's note before booking. This is just to make as certain as possible that you will be okay out on the water.
We provide the foul weather clothing, life-jackets and all other technical equipment you will need. We really urge you not to spend any extra money unless you are sure you want to! You need to bring a sleeping bag and some waterproof boots.
We are committed to helping as many people as possible have an amazing sailing holiday and experience the magic of the sea. Our skippers and mates have medical training and the boats have some medical supplies and equipment on board. However, the reality is that once on board access to professional medical assistance is going to be slower than if you were on land. If we are offshore it may be some days. For this reason we ask you to check through the medical disclosure form below before you book. If you answer yes to any of the questions, you should get in touch with us before you book. It will probably still be fine but it's good to make sure. You will be asked to submit the form electronically 14 days before the start date, ensuring that we have the most up to date information.
TRIP CATEGORY: OCEAN SAILING
Extended periods at sea
WHAT'S INCLUDED & WHAT'S NOT
IN SUMMARY
Everything's included except for flights, travel insurance, a sleeping bag and some waterproof boots. There are no hidden extras.
TERMS & CONDITIONS & TRIP NOTES
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The smoking of any form of tobacco is forbidden on board or on the dock next to the boat. We also very strongly discourage the smoking of any tobacco at any time between the start and end date as the smell comes on-board into confined living space. The use of e-cigarettes is fine.
ABTOT Protection
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for WZ Lmited t/a Rubicon 3, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for the following: 1. non-flight packages and 2. flight inclusive packages that commence outside of the EU, which are sold to customers outside of the EU. ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if you are abroad. Please note that bookings made outside the EU are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Rubicon 3. In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company. You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here.
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