Core Info

If, like many people, your New Year’s resolution for 2018 was to ‘try something new’, ‘have an adventure’, ‘take more exercise’, ‘get closer to nature’ or ‘relax and enjoy life’, west-country based Devon Sailing Experiences has the perfect opportunity for you.

Try something new

Our day sails offer the perfect introduction to sailing for all abilities, so if you have already booked your west-country based holiday for 2018, why not use it as the perfect opportunity to travel to Plymouth for a day out on the water?

Haven’t booked your 2018 west-country holiday yet? We can offer bespoke sailing holidays with overnight accommodation aboard out 40’ yacht, Bewitched.

Have an adventure

Not only do our sailing experience packages offer the chance to learn a new skill, the discoveries you make under sail are priceless. Whether you find a secluded anchorage that cannot be accessed by road, helm a yacht for the first time or visit a beautiful Cornish or Devonian fishing town, the opportunities for adventure are endless.

Take more exercise

Taking part in one of our sailing experiences offers exercise without even realising. Sailing requires core-stability muscles, so even if you are just standing in the cockpit trying to keep your balance, you will be exercising those muscles (as well as enjoying the view, breathing fresh air and learning a new skill).

Get closer to nature.

Travelling under sail powered by just the wind is as good as it gets. With the beautiful west country coastline always in view and a mackerel line hanging off the back of the yacht, there is nothing more natural than the opportunity to catch and cook your own lunch. If you are particularly lucky, you may spot the pod of dolphins that frequent the area.

In addition to this, we are so lucky to enjoy the South-West Coast Path on our doorstep – it actually passes King Point Marina where our yachts are moored, you know!

Relax and enjoy life

It may take longer to reach your final destination under sail, but as we all know, life is about enjoying that journey. There really is something about the smell and feel of that sea air that makes you breathe more slowly and smile more. If to ‘relax and enjoy life’ was your New Year’s resolution, our weekend sailing experiences to Salcombe or Fowey might be just what you are looking for.

If you took part in one of our weekend sailing experiences to Salcombe or Fowey earlier this year, it is likely that you would have met Gail. She also skippered most of our bespoke sailing experiences during 2018, too. Next in the hot-seat for our “Meet our Skippers” series – Gail Wright.

When did you first get the sailing bug?

Sailing in the BVI’s 16 years ago. I had sailed previously, but this was sailing in such a beautiful place that it made me want to do more. It was lovely to sail from island to island and enjoy the Caribbean.

What is your finest sailing memory?

Sailing to Cape Town after 33 days at sea. The coastline is so rugged and it was really special to see after not sighting land for over a month. The last 3 days of the journey were really rough, and I was tired but elated to have sailed all that way and experience big seas and rough weather. We crossed the equator and dateline and saw some incredible wildlife – dolphins fishing and a mass of pilot whales gliding past the yacht, which was a really amazing experience. I learnt so much about ocean sailing and a lot about myself as well.

What is your favourite sailing destination on the south-west coast?

Tricky one…Fowey or Dartmouth? I love both of these places; they both have good pubs and great food. Fabulous harbours to sail into…it’s got to be Fowey! A great location for a weekend sailing experience.

What is your ‘go-to’ sailing meal when you are on the go?

Cottage pie with sweet potato topping, preferably made in advance so you can just put it in the oven and it is ready when you come into the harbour.

Force 3 or Force 5?

Force 5 – as long as it’s going in the right direction! Put a reef in, keep an on on the wind and enjoy the sail!

Our skippers are the people we rely on to help you make the most of your day or weekend sail. At Devon Sailing Experiences, we have been putting them in the hot-seat over the past few weeks so you can learn a little more about them.

Next up – Mick Chantler.

When did you first get the sailing bug?

After a very autocratic introduction to sailing courtesy of the Royal Navy in the ’70s which almost put me off for life, I eventually got to see the more relaxed and rewarding side to sailing some 10 years later – again, courtesy of the Royal Navy, but in a different environment and mindset. I have never looked back.

What is your finest sailing memory?

My finest sailing memory was quite recent – delivering a yacht with the owners onboard from Plymouth to Whitehaven in Cumbria. A very satisfying and rewarding trip and lots learnt by all onboard. I learn something new every time I go to sea – the learning curve keeps going up.

What is your favourite sailing destination in the south-west?

My favourite places to visit are all west of Plymouth, but probably top of my list is Polperro. I prefer smaller ports which are a little more challenging to get into, and therefore quieter at the height of the season.

What is your ‘go-to’ sailing meal when you are on the go?

My go-to meal whilst sailing has to be simple and hearty – a 2-pot dish like meat pie with smash, tinned veg and extra gravy – yum! (Ok – maybe 3 pots!)

Force 3 or Force 5?

I prefer sailing in a stiffer breeze like a Force 5 with the wind over your shoulder. More exhilarating than a gentle breeze and you can really get the boat going. Ideal to reach a weekend sail destination.

As per previous years sailing in the Autumn can be very rewarding with high pressure and lighter winds allowing us to sail both east and west with ease. We have just completed a 4-day mileage builder for one of our customers which took in Salcombe / Torquay / Fowey and Plymouth.  It also allows ‘sociable’ night sailing of a few hours each evening.

Discounts off our standard rate apply after September so if you want the quiet of an off-season sail with the upside of paying less it’s a good time to time to get involved and get sailing!

We run all the way until December weather permitting. Full refunds are given should the weather become too unsettled to sail.

Been a busy few months at Devon Sailing Experiences. Wewould like to share this new video with you of our light wind sailing from Salcombe back to Plymouth this August. The trip was one of our 2-day experiences with four onboard.

The yacht is under full main sail with a code zero (explanation below). This enables the yacht to sail in very light breezes. In this instance, the yacht had a true wind from the west of 6-7 knots and we were sailing at 5. This allows us to keep sailing when others turn their engines on. With light winds come flat seas, so it is possible to keep moving at a decent speed so long as the wind is on a close reach or close hauled (see below). The video shows the yacht on a close reach.

The Code Zero

The code 0 is an asymmetric sail developed for a tight reach in light wind sailing. It has the most upwind performance from this sail type. The luff is as straight as possible, and the sail is flatter than other spinnakers. Due to the flatness of the code 0, it is usually made with a wire luff for strength, and of a heavier, less stretchy fabric than normal for a spinnaker. Due to the tight luff and flat cut, the code 0 can be fitted for roller furling.

Racing code 0 asymmetrics can come in different sizes and cambers for varying angles and wind speeds. Manufacturers offer similar cruising code 0 designs under different names, such as the screecher and reacher for upwind and downwind respectively.