Day Sails and Short Breaks

Day Sail: Our day sails are designed to introduce you to Traditional Sailing on a classic gaff rigged Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter. Experience is not required, we will ensure you get to do as much as possible on Annabel J,, showing you the ropes.
Our skipper will do all close quarter boat handling, but everything else will be done by you as the crew. You will truly get the maximum benefit from the experience.

Get a taste of sailing this beautiful Pilot Cutter in the relative shelter of the Solent and South Coast. Explore the quaint harbours of the Isle of Wight and the sheltered anchorages. You join Annabel J at 0900 in Hamble and after welcome coffee and safety briefings we set sail. For lunch we find a secluded anchorage where a buffet lunch will be served. We return to Hamble by 4PM. Day Sails make a perfect gift for a friend or relative.

2 - 3 Day Weekend Voyages: The main aim of these voyages is to provide a relaxing, enjoyable and exciting short break on one of the most luxurious and beautiful classic yachts on the South Coast. These voyages are very suitable for novices due to the sheltered waters, but also due to the strong tides and shallow banks, remain a challenge to the seasoned sailor. During the 3 day voyage we will take you as far as Poole or Weymouth, weather permitting. For those with previous sailing experience and the desire to learn to be a Mate on Annabel J, we take volunteer crew and offer 1/2 price berths. Contact us for details.

Possible Itinerary: 1st evening - After our usual warm welcome you will have a safety and familiarisation briefing you will hoist sails for our first sail. This could take us to the delightful Camber Dock in Old Portsmouth. This is a quaint area of Portsmouth that has largely escaped the pressure of modernisation and you can easily imagine the days when Square rigged ships tied here and Lord Nelson drank in the pubs.

2nd Day - After breakfast we will set sail and go where the wind blows us. We are solidly against sailing against the elements as we aim to make your sailing as pleasurable as possible. You will be amazed at how well Annabel J sails; even in the lightest wind she creams along, often overhauling most modern yachts - to the surprise of their owners. In the evening we will find a quiet spot to anchor for the night where you can swim or take the dinghy ashore for a stroll or Pint.

3rd Day - The schedule for this day will be much the same; relaxing sailing exploring the beautiful Solent and South coast. However now you will be much more familiar with hoisting and trimming the sails and getting the best out of AJ under sail. You can all take a spell at steering or even have a dabble at navigation. The Holiday is yours and we will try to accommodate your aspirations.

Last day - After your delightful and rewarding weekend we will return to the mooring in Hamble early afternoon.

4 Day Voyages: The aim of the 4 day voyages is very much the same as for a 3 day long weekend, but the extra day gives much more potential to explore further a field. If the weather and tides are in favour we may also include a channel crossing to visit the Normandy coast or the Channel isles - so please don't forget your passport.