2023 Maybe Scotland to Cornwall

YOUR SAILING AREA

UK COAST

Sheltered from the Atlantic swell by the Kintyre peninsula with an archipelago of rugged islands, the Firth of Clyde is a fascinating area to sail in. With ancient castles, meandering lochs and an abundance of wildlife, this part of Scotland is definitely best explored under sail. The Kyles of Bute are said to be one of the prettiest sailing passages in Britain and with fjord-like lochs and heather-clad hills, these waters make for perfect sheltered sailing on board a tall ship.

As you set sail from Greenock, there is a plethora of serene anchorages to choose from before we make our way to the final destination of our home port of Penzance. Sail down through St George’s channel offering some great opportunity to take the night watch (with a crew member of course!) and sail under stars, gently swaying with the rhythms sailing a traditional wooden boat at night. There’s a great sense of peace as the ship settles down for the evening and your eyes become adjusted to the night sky with little light pollution from land – its a spectacular sight on a clear night.

This voyage will see mainly open water sailing both by day and night as we sail to reach our destination of Penzance. Harbour calls and anchorages will be dictated by the weather and tides but we could stop anywhere from the Isle of Man to the coast of Northern Ireland before continuing to the Scottish coast.

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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Maybe

Guest berths: 8 Rig: Gaff Ketch

Built in 1929, classic boat Maybe is a beautifully shaped 28m gaff ketch. A strong sea-worthy vessel, she is built with extra strength using steel frames, a hardwood hull and teak decking. After a complete overhaul in 2007 and a restoration to her original Gaff rig in 2011, she now spends her summers sailing Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and winters keeping warm in Spain and Portugal.

She has a rather famous history, once being owned by Jan Jacob Van Rietschoten, father of the flying Dutchman, Cornelis ‘Conny’ Van Rietschoten. Having spent most of her life privately owned sailing around the world, she has been owned by her present owners since 1989.

Guests are invited to get involved with all aspects of sailing Maybe, from hoisting the sails, taking the helm and even some basic navigation. An onboard chef provides breakfast, lunch, dinner, hot breads and cakes throughout voyages, ensuring you won’t be going hungry after a day on the water!

Read more about Life on board Maybe here.

Life on board Maybe

Sailing with classic boat Maybe is certainly an enjoyable, hands-on experience and guests are encouraged to get involved with all aspects of sailing this magnificent tall ship. With private cabins and generous communal spaces below decks, she’s perfect for solo travellers, couples or even family groups. The crew are well versed in sailing Maybe with her season running skippered charter holidays and taking Youth Sail training voyages to share this rich maritime history with the younger generation.

Getting Involved

From hoisting the sails to taking the helm, the friendly and knowledgable crew are always on hand to show you the ropes. If you’re new to sailing, don’t worry – the crew will guide you in exactly what to do, even if you’ve never stepped foot on a boat before. Sailing with Maybe is an experience you won’t forget! A beautifully restored classic tall ship, get involved with hoisting sails and being on hand to tack and jibe.

Sleeping, Eating & Relaxation

Maybe has a dedicated chef onboard too so you don’t have to worry about cooking after a days sailing in the salty sea air. Think locally sourced produce, fresh fish and home-made bread with hearty home-cooked meals and plenty of tea, coffee and cake! Your ticket price includes one glass of wine with your evening meal too.

Below decks is a nod to the traditional tall ship era with decorative wooden panelling throughout. A generous saloon area is great for eating hearty home-cooked meals, sharing sea faring tales or maybe a game of cards with your fellow crew. There are three twin bunk cabins and a fourth 4-person cabin that all share a large shower/toilet.

Read more about what to expect from a typical day and life onboard Maybe.

What’s included

• All inclusive meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks)
• All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet)
• Full crew plus tuition
• Marina and fuel fees
• All tender trips to and fro the boat
• Lifejacket
• Use of stand-up paddle-board

What’s not included

• Alcohol
• Wash and/or swim towels
• 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 not be more than 12 miles offshore.

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Yes, all meals on board are included in the price. (breakfast, lunch, dinner and hot drinks)

• 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 soft drinks and alcohol.

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  4x twin cabins, each has storage and a sink.

• Is there a porthole in my cabin?

  All cabins have deck hatches.

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  There are 2 toilets/showers for guest use.

• Are bedding and towels provided?

  Bedding and towels are provided. Please bring your own towels for swimming.

• Is there a hairdryer on board?

  No, please do not bring one. The sea breeze makes a great natural alternative!

• Will I be able to wash my clothes?

  No, Maybe does not have laundry on board.

• Is there heating on board?

  Yes.

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!

• What language is spoken onboard?

  English

• Is there WIFI?

  No! It's time to disconnect from the modern conforms and reconnect with nature! When within shore range, you should be able to reach 4/5G. Please make sure you have international roaming set up on your data plan.

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  Yes there are UK 3 pin plug in each cabin.

• What is the currency on board?

  GBP - pounds sterling.

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes.

• How do I get on and off the boat?

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

• Are waterproofs provided?

  Yes, for use on the boat only. Please bring a light weight waterproof if needed for going ashore.

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure and a want to get actively involved.

• Does the boat have any water toys?

  Yes, there is a stand-up paddle board for guests to use free of charge.

• 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?

  We recommend over 8+ years accompanied by an adult on a 1:1 ratio but please check in the office for any under 18's as it can vary from voyage to voyage.

Travel Planning

From: Greenock, Scotland

To: Penzance, Cornwall

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

PARKING

Parking is limited in Greenock. The car parks are for 2 hours at a time, and whilst street parking is free, you still require a [free] permit. Please see Inverclyde council car parks for more up-to-date information. 

If you are planning to drive, it may be easier to use a long stay, secure parking in Glasgow and take onward travel to Greenock by way of train as detailed below.

Reservable parking on JustPark app;

Driveway on Finlaystone Road (near Kilmacolm)

Driveway on Port Glasgow Road (near Kilmacolm)

You can also try the RingGo or yourparkingspace apps and search reservable private spots in the Greenock area to park for the duration of your trip.

BY RAIL

You can travel by rail to/from Glasgow Central or Glasgow Queen Street, depending on where you’re coming from in the country. You can also travel overnight on the Caledonian Sleeper https://www.sleeper.scot/ from London Euston to Glasgow.

Then from Glasgow Queen Street Station and Glagow Central Station take the train to Greenock West.

BY AIR

Glasgow Airport is a approx. a 25 minute taxi ride into Greenock, or catch the No. 926 bus to Renfrew Road (Trident House) and then the No.906 bus to Greenock which takes about 30 minutes.

Direct flights go to Glasgow Airport (GLA) from London Heathrow with British Airways. 

BY COACH/BUS

You can travel by coach to Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station from the rest of the UK with National Express  and megabus. You will then need to change for Greenock onto local services operated by McGill’s.