People wanting to learn how to sail — or improve their existing knowledge — are being given more opportunities to master the skill later this year.

Due to demand, the Trinity Sailing Foundation is offering additional weeks of RYA tuition, on board their 1908-vessel Golden Vanity, for the 2017 season.

Trinity Sailing’s Marketing & Sales Manager, Harry Gottschalk, said: “Due to an increase in booking enquiries, and the fact our other weeks are now full, three new weeks’ worth of on board tuition has been added to the programme.

“Golden Vanity was featured in last weekend’s Telegraph, which was also created more enquiries, so we have taken the decision to extend the season in to October to allow even more people the opportunity to learn how to sail with us on our traditional and historic vessel, which belongs to the National Historic Fleet, putting her in similar company as the likes of the Cutty Sark.”

The new dates are:

  • Saturday, September 30 — Friday, October 6
  • Saturday, October 7 — Friday, October 13
  • Sunday, October 15 — Saturday, October 21.

Golden Vanity is thought to be the sole surviving Mumble Bee — the smallest of the original Brixham trawlers —   built in 1908. Although built as a working boat, she was used as a base by marine artist Arthur Briscoe to paint the local fishing fleet.

One of the friends who sailed with Briscoe was Erskine Childers – who had already written his famous yachting spy novel ‘Riddle of the Sands’. Before the First World War they sailed Golden Vanity extensively in the southern North Sea, regularly visiting Holland and Belgium, the ‘lowlands, low’ mentioned in the shanty.

Harry added: “Golden Vanity is rigged now just as she was when she was launched early last century.

“She has a ‘Gaff Cutter’ rig which is very versatile and powerful, easy to handle in light airs and strong winds, making her an ideal vessel to learn about traditional sailing methods. No previous experience is necessary, if you are looking to do Start Yachting, though we offer Competent Crew and Day Skipper for those with more knowledge.”

Start Yachting is an introduction to sailing for complete beginners, teaching steering, sail handling, ropework and awarenes of safety on board.

Competent Crew is aimed at people with a basic understanding who want to be more helpful as crew members, looking at seamanship, knowledge of nautical terms and boat parts, with a more in-depth look as roperwork, safety and the principles of sailing.

The Day Skipper course is aimed at those with previous sailing experience who wish to become competent to skipper a small yacht. Some basic navigational knowledge is required, either through practical experience or a Day Skipper Theory course. The course goes into greater depth on the topics covered in Competent Crew, and also includes navigation, pilotage and boat handling under sail and power.

Golden Vanity’s home port is based in Brixham where she spends her sailing season exploring Devon and Cornwall. Below deck she has been fitted out for her modern role. She has accommodation for seven guests and two crew members, has a saloon area, a galley, and a toilet (the heads).

All meals and refreshments, life jackets, bedding, and waterproofs are included in the cost which is £695 for the week on board.

For more information, or to book, call 01803 88 33 55 or email team@trinitysailing.org

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