Offshore Sailing from Devon to Rotterdam

YOUR SAILING AREA

Devon to Rotterdam

From Torquay, we will sail across the English Channel to Rotterdam. Weather and tide will eventually determine our route, but the plan is to do this in manageable legs. In general, we will not sail at night for the first few days so that everyone can get used to the ship.

If the weather and tides cooperate, we can head to Cowes on the Isle of Wight, along the Needles up the Solent. There might be time to explore the island before we prepare for a long leg to Dover which is about 120 miles. Everyone will take part in the watch system to ensure a safe crossing.

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Dover is an atmospheric workboat harbour with a new marina and with ferries constantly sailing in and out from France, nice to see and we will have to ask permission to enter. Dover castle (with another ruined Roman tower) stands imposingly atop the famous ‘White Cliffs’. If the weather cooperates, we will still have time to visit Dover Castle (with a whole corridor system underneath from WWII), or walk up the White Cliffs of Dover to the lighthouse with stunning views over the English Channel. The lighthouse with a vintage interior serves, among other things, delicious scones, very British, very nice.

We then cross the ‘shipping lanes’ in the straits of Calais, the narrowest and busiest part of the English Channel. The remainder is so incredibly busy with shipping lanes, fishing vessels, fish & wind farms that we first make a tide stop on the French coast.

Then comes the final 110-mile leg to Rotterdam, our season finale. Sailing up the Nieuwe Waterweg is impressive with all the shipping, especially in the dark. The last leg through the city centre is very pretty with Rotterdam’s beautiful new skyline and we also sail under the Erasmus Bridge.

All voyages for Cherokee

Cherokee

Guest berths: 8 Rig: Cutter

In 2008, Jouke Lemmer purchased Cherokee after spending years sailing with his father’s ship amongst others. Cherokee was built in 2000 by award-winning boat builders J & J Design and a year after buying her, Jouke refitted Cherokee radically, transforming her into a truly comfortable charter vessel, giving her a cutter rig and space for a generator so as to offer his passengers power and hot showers!

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 sailing. Read more about what to expect with life onboard here.

Jouke sails his ship all over the northern hemisphere, leaving Cherokee’s 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 and his wonderful ship for the adventure of a lifetime – think exhilarating sailing, bucket list destinations and top-notch hospitality.

Deck plan

LIFE ON BOARD

Perfect for the adventure traveller, Cherokee is a custom-fit charter vessel, designed to ensure her guests enjoy comfortable but exhilarating sailing.

Getting involved

Sailing with Cherokee certainly ticks the adventure travel boxes with a continuous A to B sailing schedule throughout the season. Skipper Jouke 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 the relaxed guidance of Jouke. 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 when he’s back on land – you could not be in safer hands!

Sleeping & relaxation

With four private guest cabins, comfortable bunks and two bathrooms at either end of the boat, Cherokee can easily cater for solo travellers, adventurous couples or groups of friends or family. A hot water 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 and spacious saloon perfect for eating, playing cards or simply 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.

Authentic Offshore sailing

The boat is owned and sailed by experienced skipper Jouke and there is a ‘bosun’ who also does the cooking. The bosun will be preparing 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 they can. Cherokee only clocks up about 180 motoring hours every year, 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, and it makes the trip much more adventurous and flexible.

What’s included

• All inclusive (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Soft/hot drinks)
• Marina and fuel fees
• All tender trips to and fro the boat
• Lifejacket
• All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet) and wash towel
• Full crew plus tuition

What’s not included

• Alcohol
• Offshore sailing suits are available for hire (please let us know if you need more information when booking)
• Any flights
• Transit hotels
• Travel to and from the boat on the day of joining/leaving
• Travel insurance
• Sailing Insurance (Please read our Sailing Insurance page for more information)
• Crew tips
• Personal expenses

Travel insurance notes

As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.

Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.

This voyage will be more than 12miles offshore.

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Yes, all meals on board are included in the price. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and soft/hot drinks) Alcohol is not included.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Yes, please let us know when making your booking.

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!

• What language is spoken on board?

  Dutch and English.

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  Cherokee has two twin berth cabins and two double berth cabins for guests.

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  Cherokee has two toilet/shower rooms.

• Are bedding & towels provided?

  Yes

• Is there an age limit?

  No!

• Do I need sailing experience?

  Not at all.

• Is there WIFI?

  No, but you should easily be able to reach 3G/4G from the shore.

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  Yes charging facilities are available when the generator is running.

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  You can hire Sailing suits for £35 for the week.

• 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.

Travel Planning

From: Torquay, Devon

To: Rotterdam, Netherlands

To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.

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Torquay

BY RAIL:

There are direct trains from Torquay with Great Western Railway to Penzance, Exeter St Davids and London Paddington.

BY COACH:

You can travel by coach from Torquay (Torquay, Coach Station, Lymington Road, Torbay) with National Express to London Victoria, Birmingham, Bristol or Plymouth direct.

Rotterdam

BY RAIL:

Take the Eurostar direct from Rotterdam Central station to London St Pancras International which takes about 3.5 hours.

BY AIR:

Direct flights go to London City (LCY) with British Airways and Edinburgh (EDI) with Transavia from Rotterdam Airport (RTM).

Rotterdam Airport (RTM) is about a 20 minute bus journey on route 33 operated by RET running every 20 minutes. Alternatively you could get a taxi into the centre which could take about 20 minutes.