Ocean Sailing training – navigation & island hopping
Learn traditional ocean navigation on this Azores ocean sailing adventure with expedition yacht Cherokee
This 11-day voyage combines island-hopping in the Azores archipelago with guidance on the fundamentals of traditional ocean navigation. Embarking from the port of Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel, the sailing itinerary includes coastal sailing, one offshore passage and time to explore ashore, before disembarking in Faial on Horta island. All while gaining an understanding of the art of using the sun and time to determine position while at sea.
This voyage is well-suited to sailors who want to build confidence in watchkeeping, route planning, and interpreting weather at sea with a professional skipper. No prior knowledge of navigation is required. Participation in sailing tasks is always optional, and there will be opportunities to swim, walk ashore, and enjoy the marine life along the way.
- Island Hopping
- Navigational Training
- Suitable for adventure seekers
- Great for solo travellers and couples
- Independent onshore excursions
- Full board
- Night Sailing
Need some help?
Talk to the team
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
Life on board Cherokee
A custom-fit charter vessel, Cherokee, has been designed to ensure her guests enjoy comfortable offshore sailing adventures.
GETTING INVOLVED
Sailing with Cherokee certainly ticks the adventure travel boxes with a continuous A to B sailing schedule throughout the season. Skipper Jouke (pronounced Yow-ka) believes this is the best way to experience as many destinations off the beaten track as possible and loves to share his sense of adventure with guests.
Guests are actively encouraged to get involved with all aspects of sailing under Jouke’s relaxed guidance. Take the helm, help with the winching of the sails, anchoring and basic chart navigation. Skipper Jouke was born at sea, the son of a Baltic Sea Captain and a naval architect. You could not be in safer hands when he’s back on land!
SLEEPING & RELAXATION
With four private guest cabins, comfortable bunks, and two bathrooms at either end of the boat, Cherokee can easily accommodate solo travellers, adventurous couples, or groups of friends or family. Clever storage offers plenty of locker space for guests in each cabin. The boiler runs off the cooling water of the generator, so there is plenty of hot water for washing and showering!
Below decks, she offers a comfy & spacious saloon perfect for eating, playing cards or reading a book. You’ll find beautiful panelled mahogany interiors, giving the ship that classic feel. A well-equipped galley opposite the saloon provides a perfect social space, ready to bring you delicious food after an exhilarating day of sailing. Eat under the stars if the weather allows in the spacious cockpit, offering comfortable couches and a good-sized table. If the weather takes a turn, the crew will put up the cockpit tent, offering you shelter and warmth in the fresh air.
AUTHENTIC OFFSHORE SAILING
The boat is owned and sailed by experienced skipper Jouke, and there is a ‘bosun’ who also cooks. The bosun will prepare dinner as you arrive and after breakfast on your first morning aboard Cherokee, you can be guaranteed a relaxed start to your sailing holiday.
Jouke and his crew try to use the engine as little as possible, sailing into port as much as possible. Cherokee only clocks up about 180 motoring hours yearly, which is pretty impressive. Due to this, as with most of our vessels, the days of your holiday are subject to the weather, using the tide as your clock. Guests aren’t presented with a tight schedule or itinerary for this reason, making the trip much more adventurous and flexible.
Cherokee
Guest berths: 8 Rig: Cutter
Jouke sails with Cherokee all over the northern hemisphere, leaving her home port of Rotterdam in May and sailing anywhere from the Hebrides and the Channel Islands, the Faroe Islands and Ireland or even down to the North coast of Spain before making the journey back to Holland in October. Join him for the adventure of a lifetime – think exhilarating sailing, bucket list destinations and top-notch hospitality.
Sailing with Cherokee is perfect for those looking to expand their sailing knowledge. From beginners to accomplished sailors, Cherokee’s sailing schedule accommodates all ages and abilities. From sailing training voyages across Oceans to family-friendly voyages in the Azores, there is something to suit everyone.
She has a relatively simple rig and winch system, so she is a great boat to learn the ropes. Get involved with all aspects of sailing from winching, taking the helm, route planning, chart reading and celestial navigation.
Skipper Jouke Lemmer purchased Cherokee in 2008 after spending years sailing with his father’s ship, amongst others. Cherokee was built in 2000 by award-winning boat builders J & J Design. She is a fast, 16m vessel with a stunning teak deck and spacious cockpit, and she operates with two crew members (her skipper and the bosun/chef). Cherokee is exceptionally good at what she was built to do – pure blue water sailing!
Deck plan
Berths on board
Single berth in shared Twin Cabin: Two single bunk berths.
Single berth in Double Cabin (double occupancy): Double cabin for two guests.
Private Cabin (solo occupancy): Private cabin for one guest.
More about Cherokee
More holidays in Azores
Azores Sailing Holiday Adventure
Sailing the Azores Islands
Azores Sailing Holiday Adventure
Mile Builder Sailing from the Azores to France
More holidays on Cherokee
Crossing the English Channel to London and Back
Cross-Channel Sailing to the Netherlands
Ocean Sailing training – navigation & island hopping
Mile Builder Sailing from the Azores to France
Inspiration for your voyage
Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below. Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below.
JOURNAL
