Twister schooner in full sailing sailing in Canary Islands : Caribbean
Twister guests onboard pulling ropes on deck adventure sailing
Twister schooner onboard view underway sailing island hopping adventure
Dining on deck on Twister in the Canary Islands
Twister schooner underway from bowsprit sailing

Twister

This 1902 two masted schooner offers her guests sailing holidays from the Canaries to the Caribbean.
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Accommodation

  • Total number of berths: 20
  • Guest berths: 12
  • Cabin configuration: 6 x twin cabins
  • Bathrooms: 2 x toilets, 2 x showers
  • Smoking policy: Only on deck

Particulars

  • Home port: Harlingen, Holland
  • Year built: 1902
  • Displacement: 85 tonnes
  • Length overall: 36m/118'
  • Draft: 2.8m/9'2"
  • Beam: 6.2m/20'3"
  • RIg: Schooner
  • Sail area: 332.5m/1090'8"
  • Number of sails: 6
  • Engine: Mercedes Benz 300 PK
  • Crew: 4
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Originally built with a wooden hull in 1902, Twister’s original purpose was to transport fish between fishing boats and back to the harbour. To ensure the fish remained fresh, Twister was built and rigged for speed.

During her working life, she was refitted with a steel hull, and after several other owners, she was transformed in 1998 into a luxury passenger vessel. Renovated again in 2012, she was updated with all-new safety features and equipment, along with all the modern comforts you could possibly want from a charter vessel.

With her graceful design and sailing lines, Twister is still a very fast, reliable ship and is truly comfortable under full sail. Her build and modern rigging system allow her to perform excellently both on the Ijsselmeer, Baltic Sea and out on the Atlantic Ocean.

Come on board for an exhilarating sailing holiday aboard this classic two-masted schooner. Whether at the helm, on deck or in the cosy wheelhouse, the vessel is much loved by all her guests. Twister’s accommodation of 2 and 3-berth cabins makes her a perfect ship for solo travellers, couples and families too.

GETTING INVOLVED

From hoisting the sails to taking the helm, the friendly and knowledgeable crew are always on hand to show you the ropes. Part of the beauty of sailing with Twister is the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of her sailing operation. On her longer Atlantic crossings, guests will work hand in hand with the crew to take turns on the night watch system.

Below Decks..

A far cry from her days as a fishing vessel, she has been refitted as a charter vessel. Below deck, she has comfortable and generously sized cabins (all with a washbasin included), a cushion-seated saloon bar and a wheelhouse with 360-degree windows for optimum ocean viewing. Two well-proportioned separate showers and two separate toilets provide ample facilities for a full boat. Above deck, she has two large bench seats and tables for al fresco dining, from those sunrise breakfasts to starry sky dinners or just some sunbathing during the days of sailing. Relax at the stern, have a chat with the crew and even take the helm if you fancy. Wherever you are aboard Twister, she provides privacy if you want it or generous spaces to socialise when the mood takes you.

On board, all food and drink are locally sourced and freshly prepared. You’ll often see the chef fly ashore before the boat is even tied up, in search of a local delicacy! If the opportunity arises and it takes your fancy, there are a plethora of good local restaurants along all the coastlines.

All of these factors make sailing on board Twister a pleasure. With a love of marine life and of the environment, the crew are fascinating to speak to, acting as fonts of knowledge on local flora and fauna. Whether you want to chat with the crew, relax on the deck or hoist the sails on this speedy schooner, Twister will offer you a wonderful holiday you won’t forget!

After a varied life at sea, Twister has had many different skippers at the helm, and skippers may vary depending on the voyage time and place.

Skipper Photo

Twister’s Skipper varies depending on her sailing location. It may be Wietz around the Canary Islands, or Twister’s owners in the sunny Caribbean. All have many years of sailing experience and are well acquainted with Twister and her sailing grounds, so you will be in safe hands whilst sailing on board.

The chef Rene is also a regular on Twister, and as well as cooking 5-star food for his guests, he will also lend a hand on deck if necessary.

There is also a second mate and a few deckhands to ensure “many hands on deck”!

A beautiful 118ft Schooner, Twister started life as a fishing vessel in 1902, working until 1999 when she was transformed into the charter vessel she is today.

In 1902, Twister was an original fishing boat with a traditional wood hull. Fifty-five years later, the wood hull was replaced with a steel one to turn her into a much more modern, reliable and capable fishing vessel.

In 2012, after years of sailing to and from various ports all over the North and Baltic Sea, she retired from her fishing grounds and was bought by her current owners with a plan to have her refitted and modernised. She was turned into the modern schooner that she is today, bringing her up to date with all the mod cons and comforts that are expected of a charter vessel.

Since being restored, Twister has proven that she has not lost touch with her roots – as a vessel historically used to transport fish quickly,  she was originally built for speed, and she definitely doesn’t disappoint. Her owners still like to put her to the test occasionally, and she has recently demonstrated that she remains one of the fastest sailing ships in Northern waters.

  • Are all meals included in the price?

    Yes, all meals and food on board is included in the price, as well as all warm and soft drinks - i.e., everything except alcohol. There is however a cash bar on board.

  • Can you cater for dietary needs?

    Yes, please let us know when making your booking.

  • Are there any added extras?

    There's an honesty bar for alcohol.

  • What are the sleeping arrangements?

    Six Twin Cabins.

  • Is there a porthole in my cabin?

    Yes, each cabin has a porthole.

  • How many bathrooms and/or showers does she have?

    Twister has two individual toilets and two individual showers for guest use.

  • Are bedding and towels provided?

    Yes, all bedding and a shower towel is provided but please bring an extra swimming towel if needed.

  • Is there a hairdryer on board?

    No, please do not bring one!

  • Will I be able to wash my clothes?

    No, there is no guest laundry aboard.

  • Is there heating/air conditioning onboard?

    Yes, there is heating throughout the boat.

  • Do I need to tip the crew?

    Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!

  • What language is spoken on board?

    English, Dutch and some German.

  • Is there WIFI?

    Twister has emergency WIFI only so please ensure your devices are set up for international travel. During most trips, she travels close enough to the land to still pick up a 4G connection.

  • Can I charge my phone/camera?

    Yes. Whilst the generator is running and/or Twister is connected to shore power; all cabins have a working European plug socket (so please take an adaptor if required). There is an emergency plug socket connected to a battery store if needed. Please ask the crew.

  • What is the currency on board?

    Euros.

  • Are there life jackets provided?

    Yes. When and if necessary, Twister has both inflated and inflatable life jackets.

  • How do I get on and off the boat?

    Twister is often at anchor so you'll need to be comfortable climbing in and out of the tender dinghy and climbing up and over the gunwale - there will always be a crew member to steady.

  • Do I need sailing experience?

    No, absolutely not! Just a love for adventure and a want to get actively involved. On her Atlantic crossings, we do recommend that you have some experience of time on the water.

  • Are Waterproofs Provided?

    No, please bring your own.

  • Does the boat have any water toys?

    No.

  • Will I be sea sick?

    Everyone reacts differently but we recommend if you are at all worried to take some medication 24 hours before departure.

  • Is there an age limit?

    8+ years with 8-18yr olds accompanied by an adult.

There are currently no voyages scheduled. Please get in touch with the VentureSail team to find out what’s available, or if other upcoming voyages might be suitable.
Call us in the Office on 01872 487288 or email [email protected], and we will be happy to help you find your next adventure!

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