Blue Clipper
Accommodation
- Number of guest berths: 12 (+ 4 for sailing training voyages)
- Number of bathrooms: 9
- Cabin configuration: 6 x twin bunk ensuite cabins & 1 x 4-berth young person cabin
- Smoking policy: Discretion of the skipper/on deck only
Particulars
- Port of Registration: Jersey
- Year built: 1991
- Length overall: 44m/144'4"
- Draft: TBC
- Sail Area: 675m²
- Number of Sails: 10
- Rig: Gaff Schooner
- Crew: 8-10
Tall ship Blue Clipper has spent many years sailing all over the world and currently spends her summers sailing Scotland and the Hebrides, her autumn months heading south to Spain and Portugal, then setting sail across the Atlantic for some winter sun in the Caribbean.
Built in Sweden in 1991, tall ship Blue Clipper is an impressive three-masted gaff rig schooner. With a clipper bow, original teak deck and elegant stern, she mixes a traditional tall ship feel with a relatively modern build, giving guests an authentic experience with all the mod cons.
On deck, she boasts ample space for her guests to become fully immersed in hands-on sailing, heaving the ropes, hoisting the sails, learning ropes skills, and even taking the helm. She has three kayaks and three paddle boards for guest use while on anchor, so you can explore even further inshore.
She offers voyages to suit all ages and abilities. From taster sailing breaks to week-long explorations in the Hebrides, she also takes those looking for something a little more adventurous across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. From the mystical, moody Scotland to the warm winter sun in the Caribbean, the crew aboard are on permanent rotation, so you’ll be in safe hands whichever voyage you choose.
A spacious saloon, wheelhouse and galley also sit at deck level, while below decks have been well-considered with six spacious ensuite cabins. All cabins have full-size bunks, a small desk, a porthole for natural light and heating/air conditioning.
Berths on board
Single berth in shared Twin Cabin Ensuite: Two single bunk berths and an ensuite.
Twin Cabin Ensuite (solo occupancy): Private cabin for one person. Two single bunk berths, and an ensuite.
Young Sailor 18-25 yr (4-berth shared cabin): Four single bunk berths in a mixed gender cabin.
Sailing with tall ship Blue Clipper is certainly an enjoyable, hands-on experience and guests are encouraged to get involved with all aspects of sailing this magnificent tall ship. Spending her summers exploring Scotland and the Hebrides and her winters sailing in the Caribbean, Blue Clipper is the perfect tall ship experience.
Getting involved
From hoisting the sails to taking the helm, the friendly and knowledgeable crew always shows you the ropes. Part of the beauty of sailing with such a magnificent vessel is the opportunity to get involved in a safe and supported environment! The permanent crew are all professionally trained, so as much as guest involvement is encouraged, if you just want to sit back and take in the view or are concerned about your physical ability to hoist ropes, there are plenty of other boat jobs such as coiling ropes, preparing lines and keeping watch! For those more adventurous, climbing the rigging or the bowsprit can also be a great experience.
Dining aboard
For her coastal voyages, Blue Clipper has a dedicated chef on board, too, so you don’t have to worry about cooking after a day of sailing in the salty sea air. Think locally sourced produce, fresh fish, homemade bread with hearty home-cooked meals, and plenty of tea, coffee, and cake!
For her expedition and Atlantic crossings, there will be a boat cook on board.
Sleeping and relaxation
Below decks, Blue Clipper has a large, comfy saloon perfect for sharing sea-faring tales, hearty home-cooked meals or even a game of cards! Rest up after a day of adventure in your spacious private en-suite cabin. With twin bunks, sailing with Blue Clipper is undoubtedly one of comfort and is the perfect choice for couples or solo travellers.
Blue Clipper has two kayaks and paddleboards on board, which guests are welcome to use to explore the nooks and crannies of the coast! There is no extra charge for this, and buoyancy vests are also provided.
A Typical Day
On her coastal voyages, a typical day starts with a good, hearty breakfast before preparing the boat to hoist the sails. Once the sails are set to the next destination, there will be time to relax, read a book, chat to your fellow travellers or simply find a quiet corner and take in the view. Lunch will likely be served underway or at the next anchorage as you spend your afternoons exploring ashore.
Generally, on her expedition crossings and longer voyages, she will spend more time under sail. The day will still be punctuated by regular meal times, and there will likely be a watch system running throughout the voyage as she sails through the night. Stargazing on these longer voyages is spectacular with no light pollution and a complete view of the horizon.
Blue Clipper is owned by Steve Swallow, who also owns classic yacht Maybe. He divides his time between the boats and can be found skippering them for some voyages. If he isn’t on board, one of his trusty skippers takes the helm.
The crew on board works as a core team all year round, so they know the boat well and love to sail it with guests and show them the ropes.
Steve truly believes that you are never too young or too old to learn something new and runs his boats as a non-profit organisation. Whatever he makes from guest pleasure holidays, he reinvests into community projects for schools and youth groups, giving young people a fantastic opportunity to experience life on a tall ship!
Relief Skipper and Onshore Operations
Grace
Grace first went sailing on the Greater Manchester Challenge, where she did a total of 45nm on a very bumpy River Mersey, but that was enough to get the sailing bug! She then managed to get on a two-week trip to Holland on the sailing vessel James Cook, where again it was a bumpy North Sea! She then volunteered with Ocean Youth Trust, and since then, she was first mate on James Cooke at the age of 21 and at the age of 23 became full-time skipper. She has been skippering with Maybe Sailing for several years and mixes her time with the boat operations ashore.
Qualifications: Yachtmaster Ocean, Powerboat instructor, MCA Approved Engine Course, STCW95, GMDSS certificate, MCA Proficiency in Medical Care
Interests: Photography, cycling, and anything with adventure in the title and outdoors
Rotation Skipper
David Swain
Known to everyone as “Ben”, is an established Sail Trainer within the UK of considerable reputation and over 25 years’ experience as both a Skipper, instructor and coach. Holding an MCA Master 3000gt qualification and as an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor, he is professionally qualified to take command, teach, and guide you on board Blue Clipper.
Ben brings a wealth of experience and brings enthusiasm to the vessel and its onboard routine, encouraging all on board to get involved in handling the lines and taking their turn on the helm.
Ben has been Station Manager at Kings Cross Station in London, served as the Government Officer for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and set up a sailing school in Egypt in the past, so he has many entertaining stories to tell.
“I very much enjoy sailing on Blue Clipper and sailing with the wide variety of guests and trainees on board from different countries and backgrounds, and look forward to welcoming you all on board as part of our ship’s company in future, as we explore the high seas for hidden bays and memories.”.
Sailing to Shetland and Norway from the Faroes
Short break sailing in the Norwegian Fjords
Sailing the North Sea from Norway to Orkney & Scotland
Tall Ship Sailing Through the Hebridean Sea
Sailors Voyage from Scotland to Penzance
Tall Ship Sailing Holiday in Cornwall
Tall Ship Sailing Holiday in Cornwall
Crossing the Bay of Biscay from Penzance to Vigo
Coastal Sailing Adventure: Spain to Portugal
Offshore Atlantic Crossing from Portugal to Barbados – Leg 1 & 2
Offshore Sailing Adventure from Portugal to Tenerife
Tall Ship Atlantic Crossing Adventure from Tenerife to Barbados
Tall Ship Caribbean Sailing Holiday: Barbados to Grenada
Caribbean Tall Ship Sailing to Antigua from Guadeloupe
Tall Ship Sailing in Antigua, Caribbean
Tall Ship Sailing in Antigua, Caribbean
Atlantic Expedition Sailing Holiday to the Azores
Tall Ship Sailing Across the Atlantic to the UK
Offshore Atlantic Sailing from the Azores to The UK – Leg 2
UK Sailing Mile Builder: Cornwall to Scotland
Tall Ship Taster Experience in the Hebrides
Remote Scotland: Outer Hebrides & St Kilda Tall Ship Explorer
Scottish Island Hopping & Tall Ship Sailing in the Hebrides
Scottish Island Hopping & Tall Ship Sailing in the Hebrides
Remote Scotland: Outer Hebrides & St Kilda Tall Ship Explorer
Scottish Island Hopping & Tall Ship Sailing in the Hebrides
Hebrides Tall Ship Sailing: Jura, Islay & Arran
Tall Ship Sailing the Firth of Clyde, Scotland
Mile Builder Sailing UK: Scotland to Cornwall
Tall Ship Sailing Holiday in Cornwall
