Classic & Traditional

Traditional and Classic Sailing Immerse yourself in a holiday of a lifetime with a classic sailing experience on one of our traditional vessels. Here at VentureSail holidays, we offer a variety of classic and traditional sailing holidays with voyages all over the world. Our traditional fleet of historic boats are oozing in maritime history with many of them on the National Historic Ships Register. Each owner and skipper is dedicated to keeping these fascinating classic boats sailing for generations to come. They love nothing more than involving guests in the traditional sailing; showing them the ropes and passing on their invaluable knowledge. A sailing holiday on a classic boat is something you’ll never forget. From hoisting the sails by hand with fellow guests and crew, to feeling the sheer power of the wind in the sails as you take the helm – a traditional sailing holiday on a classic boat is truly an exhilarating experience. All of our classic boats love to keep things traditional while at sea, and for as much as possible, they prefer to be powered by the wind, showing the boat off as to how it would have originally been sailed. Classic boats, as well as their crew, come with a whole host of fascinating seafaring tales too. From the original working life of these traditional boats to how they have become the charter vessels they are today, the history is paramount to our maintaining our rich maritime heritage. The crew of classic boats also appreciate the need for good food and cosy quarters after a day of classic sailing, inhaling that fresh sea air. There is nothing better after a day at sea than settling down in the cosy saloon for a hearty home-cooked meal. Traditional boats are just as beautiful above decks as below decks. Traditional craftsmanship and carpentry is shown in every bit of the boat. From classic boats that are over 100 years old still maintaining their original oak planked hulls to modern replicas that have been built using the very same traditional methods.  

Sailing on a classic boat also makes many opportunities for sailing off the beaten track in locations that are rife in wildlife. The skippers of classic and traditional boats prefer, as much as possible, to harness the power of the wind in their sails and not use the engines. This makes spotting wildlife all the better as they are not disturbed by the sound of a noisy engine. Traditional sailing holidays on classic boats are easily and widely accessible for all our guests. From solo travellers to couples, groups or even private charters, you certainly don’t need any experience to climb aboard. Voyages across our classic sailing fleet range from short weekend breaks, week-long adventure and even month-long Atlantic crossings. Sailing a classic boat with friends and even strangers makes for an unforgettable holiday experience. The need to work together while sailing is always a momentous occasion – there is always one that starts a sea shanty chant to get everyone into the sail hoisting rhythm! Classic sailing in Scotland and the Hebrides is a popular choice for our traditional boats. The abundance of islands and vast stretches of diverse coastlines mean that the area is little saturated making for plenty of places off the beaten track to explore and discover. From the high basalt cliffs of Canna to the quiet seclusion of Loch Scavaig on Skye, nothing quite prepares you for the spellbinding beauty of exploring this part of the planet under sail. At the opposite end of the UK along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, a host of our traditional and classic boats are proud to call this part of the country home. The beautiful coastline, quaint harbours, rivers, creeks and waterways give guests a wide range of places to explore under sail with the wind direction in this part of the country also making for perfect sailing conditions. Our classic boats still retain the need to satisfy their original scopes of travel and still love to venture to those further flung bucket list locations. From the Norwegian fjords to the Swedish skerries, to the Canary Islands and across the Atlantic to the colourful Caribbean; no two classic sailing holidays with VentureSail are ever the same. With so many beautiful classic ships to choose from with a host of wonderful locations to explore, you’ll be left coming back for more.