Following the overwhelming success of our previous eight trips, which raised over £50,000 for Charity and was enjoyed by many shipmates, we will once again in 2025 take to the seas around our coastline for the trip of a lifetime.
* Your own cabin
* Full Board
* Top quality fresh food
* State of the art wet weather gear
* No hidden extra charges
* Award winning skippers
Most of us will come into contact with friends or family that have a life limiting illness such as cancer at some time in our lives and Macmillan and hospices, as many of us know, are there to help and support both the patient and their family. It is our personal experience of the superb care and support provided by Macmillan and the hospice movement that has lead us to run these trips. Our yachts will visit many marinas and most, including Royal Quays, Rhu, Bangor and Whitehills, will donate the mooring fees to the charities. If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help these charities continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow these links to their justgiving page:
Charity sail sponsored byLEG 1 | Burnham on Crouch to Newcastle (4May - 11 May)
After a gentle sail to the historic port of Harwich and Shotley Marina, this leg will sail north to Lowestoft before setting off on the long, 24 hour passage to Whitby (the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula and the departure port of Captain Cooke’s ‘Endeavour’). The final destination on this leg is the River Tyne, where the staff at the Quay Marina in South Shields look forward to welcoming you.
LEG 2 | Newcastle to Inverness (11 - 18 May)
What better way can there be of seeing British wildlife than by sailing to the Farne Islands? Seals, puffins, guillemots and razor bills are just some of the birds living on these waters. After anchoring in the lee of Lindisfarne Castle, you will sail over the Border to the fishing port of Arbroath (and sample delicious Arbroath Smokies). There will be a couple of long sails on this leg, but a must-see stop is the little village of Whitehills, before making your way to Inverness and the Caledonian Canal.
LEG 3 | Inverness to Oban (via the Caledonian Canal) (18 - 25 May)
Sailing alongside mountains, high above sea level, is a unique experience. Starting at Inverness you will rise up through the lock system and traverse this world-renowned feat of engineering that is the Caledonian Canal, linking the natural lochs of Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, Loch Ness and Loch Dochfour, and including the famous ‘Neptune’s Staircase’. This is a relaxing week cruising some beautiful inland waterways.
LEG 4 | Oban to Rhu (25 May - 1 June)
After visiting the beautiful Island of Kerrera, the sail to Crinan passes the islands of Jura and Scarba (and the famous Correyvechan – don’t worry, we will see it from a distance!) where you will negotiate the sea lock and the self-operated locks of the Crinan Canal. Then on to the wonderful Clyde Estuary calling at Largs and anchoring at Arran before arriving at Rhu.
LEG 5 | Rhu to Milford Haven (1 June - 8 June)
Perhaps after a visit to the picturesque fishing harbour of Portpatrick (a journey back in time) our route will take us across the Irish Sea to Bangor then a sail down the Irish coast before crossing to Milford Haven.
LEG 6 | Milford Haven to Plymouth (8 - 15 June)
First stop will be Padstow, a lovely port where the Harbourmaster promises a warm welcome. The journey to Padstow involves crossing the Bristol Channel with its very strong tides and busy shipping and where we may anchor at Lundy Island to watch basking sharks or porpoises. After rounding Land’s End we will explore the beauty of the Cornish coast, arriving in historic Plymouth.
LEG 7 | Plymouth to Burnham (15- 22 June)
The final leg of our journey and a visit to Dartmouth or Brixham followed by a longer sail to Weymouth, passing Portland Bill and its famous race, before stopping in the Solent – to get our breath back. From the Solent it is a pleasant day sail to Brighton or Eastbourne for an overnight stop before continuing to our home port of Burnham where the Harbour staff promise a warm reception.
No previous sailing experience is required, as our fully qualified RYA/MCA skippers will be with you throughout the voyage. You will have an opportunity to learn and develop a range of boat handling, navigational and watch keeping skills to suit your sailing level and experience. As with any voyage, you will be invited to help with the day-to-day jobs of running a cruising yacht.
Each leg is priced at £1147 per person, or you may wish to undertake the entire seven-week trip which costs £7295. The price is for full board (probably the best food afloat) and includes all fees, food on board, oilskins, fuel/gas etc. The only extra would be entertainment/meals ashore and getting to and from the boat. (NB: Experience suggests that crews tend to eat ashore once or twice a week) All changeover ports have good transport links by train or air. The cost includes a donation to charity and this can be gift aided if you are a UK taxpayer.
Terms and conditions for booking of courses and sailing activities:
The Contract
This contract is made between Premier Sailing Limited (the Company) registered in England, and any person(s) (the Client) booking with Premier Sailing Limited to take part in any event, charter, training course or management training event (the programme). All bookings are subject to these terms and conditions and it is agreed between the Client and the Company that any contracts will be construed in accordance with English Law.
Bookings can be made in writing on the booking form and sent to Premier Sailing Ltd, Fambridge Yacht Haven, North Fambridge, Essex CM3 6LU. Bookings can be made by telephone (01621 744902), submitted via email ([email protected]) or via the Company’s website (https://premiersailing.co.uk/). In order to reserve a place, bookings must be accompanied by a non-refundable deposit of 10% of the programme fee. The Client who signed the booking form shall be liable for all those to whom the booking form applies and in respect of whom the Client was sent an invoice. Information given by the Client via booking forms or online or via a deposit forms the basis of a contract and the Client will be accepting the booking conditions for themselves and members of their party.
Balance of payment
On receipt of the booking form the Company will send the Client confirmation of booking. Full payment less any prepaid deposit must reach the Company no later than 6 weeks prior to the start of the programme, as decided by the Company. Should a booking be made less than 6 weeks prior to the advertised programme then full payment will be required at the time of booking.
Cancellation
Cancellation by the Client must be in writing and is effective upon receipt by the Company. In the event of cancellation by the Client the following charges shall apply:
More than 6 weeks: loss of deposit only
6 – 4 weeks: 50% of programme cost
Less than 4 weeks: 100% of programme cost
The Company will not normally cancel less than 6 weeks prior to the start of the programme except for unusual or unforeseen circumstances beyond its control. In the event of cancellation, the Client will be given the choice of an alternative programme where possible. If the Client does not wish to choose an alternative programme then a full refund will be given. In the unlikely event that changes to the advertised programme occur the Company reserves the right to make such changes as required.
No liability is accepted by the Company for any costs or expenses incurred by the Client in the event of changes to the programme or cancellation by the Company.
The client’s obligations
Visas and travel
If all or part of the programme is overseas Clients will need a passport and may need a visa to enter the country where the course takes place. Clients will need to make their own visa arrangements in good time to attend the programme. Clients are responsible for travel arrangements to and from the embarkation and disembarkation points.
Authority
The Client agrees to accept the authority, decisions and instructions of the Company’s Skippers, employees, agents and representatives during the programme. At all times the decision of the Skipper is final on all matters. Should the Client interfere with the well being of the Skipper or other Clients during the programme through difficult or disruptive behaviour, the Skipper has full authority to dismiss the Agitator(s) from the programme or vessel. In such event there will be no recourse to any refund. The Skipper has full authority to decide when to sail, with regard to weather conditions and the well being of the crew and vessel, or to return to port after the commencement of a passage. A decision to terminate a passage due to defects to the yacht or the state of the crew may be made at any time and the Skipper’s decision will be final.