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Over 40 years of life-changing sailing adventures!
We are a registered charity providing life-enhancing, residential and day sailing activities for young people with special needs, disabilities, and those experiencing hardship and deprivation.
To support our charitable work we run sail training voyages for independent individuals aged 13 to 19 years during the school holidays, a number of RYA Competent Crew, Day Skipper Practical, Yachtmaster Preparation & Exam courses for all ages throughout the sailing season, and occasional voyages for adults.
Schools & Groups
We offer sailing expeditions and day sails for youth groups, schools and colleges, tailored specifically to the needs of the group.
Teenage Sailing Weeks
Sail training voyages for independent teenagers during school holidays – have a great time, learn new skills and make new friends!
DofE & RYA Training
Come on board for your DofE Expedition or DofE Gold Residential, or embark on one of our RYA sail training courses.
Adult Voyages/Courses
We run adult RYA courses and occasional passage and expedition voyages throughout the sailing season.
Teachers/Youth Leaders
Find out more about what we do on one of our free taster day sails for teachers and youth leaders.
Corporate/Private
Our traditional vessels are perfectly suited to corporate and private hire for groups seeking a team experience.
Latest News
Two weeks on from the 2.6 challenge
It is a couple of weeks since the 2.6 challenge so we thought we’d look back on all our staff, volunteers, trustees, trainees…
All hands on deck to help The Island Trust!
We’re excited to be taking part in the 2.6 challenge this coming Sunday 26th April, and need all our sailors, supporters…
Spirit of Adventure ‘Mayflower’ project
To commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s pioneering voyage to the New World, Plymouth Waterfront…
Ocean Literacy for Sail Trainers Course Evaluation
On 12 and 13 December 2019 The Island Trust ran a course entitled “Ocean Literacy for Sail Trainers”…
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Spot the difference! One of the best things about sailing is that no two days are ever the same, and that is often because of the wind. One day we might be drifting along under blue skies and a light breeze with every single sail set, and on another day, the boats are racing along in strong winds with reefed sails and rolling waves. Clipped on and wearing the right waterproofs, this can be great fun!
This video from the Royal Yachting Association tells you a little bit about wind: what causes it, how we measure it, and something called a sea breeze. It is aimed at dinghy sailors, (and we take no responsibility for the fart noises!), but it is a really good introduction if you plan to earn RYA Start Yachting or Competent Crew on a voyage soon with us soon.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6krIqC4Svfo
Once you've watched it, have a think about the adventures you've had on the Island Trust boats, and let us know your memories - do you prefer light winds or strong winds?
#SailFromHome #uksailtraining
Our Fleet
The Island Trust operates three large traditionally rigged sailing boats; Moosk, Pegasus and Johanna Lucretia, each has her own distinctive style and character, all perfect for Sail Training.
Sail Training
Based in Plymouth, Devon, The Island Trust provides flexible personal development programmes for young people on board its fleet of traditionally rigged sailing vessels. Encouraging independence, team work, communication, self worth and life skills; sailing provides an exciting and challenging adventure.
Courses range from group sailing weeks and day sails, to teenage sailing weeks for independent individuals, DofE Gold Residentials, DofE Silver and Gold Expeditions, RYA practical courses, Tall Ships Races and the annual ’round-the-cans’ Cowes Small Ships Races youth sailing events.
The Island Trust is a registered charity (no. 1049722) committed to providing sailing for everyone and will accept applications from young people for financial assistance to meet the costs of a voyage.
Click here to read more about us.
What We Do
RYA Recognised Training Centre
Crewed by professional sailing staff, qualified at the highest level, all of our vessels have been coded by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and inspected for seaworthiness and safety.
The Island Trust and its operating company, Island (Cutter) Ltd, have robust policies and procedures in place to guarantee your safety on board including:
- Health and Safety Policies
- Child Protection Policies
- Annual DBS Disclosure for all staff and volunteers
We are members of the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO).
Full time and relief skippers are RYA Yachtmasters and Cruising Instructors or higher, and mates and volunteers are qualified to levels appropriate to the responsibilities they carry in accordance with statutory MCA and RYA regulations and guidelines.
For more information about RYA training »
DofE Approved Activity Provider
We are a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Approved Activity Provider and run DofE Gold Residential sailing weeks for individuals and DofE Silver and Gold Expedition voyages. Voyages follow the RYA Cruising syllabus and our experienced and well qualified staff will help participants gain RYA as well as DofE qualifications.
Foe more information visit our DofE Gold Residential and DofE Expedition pages.
What is Sail Training?
Our voyages take you to different places every day, tiny harbours, beautiful rivers and the stunning Cornish and Devon coastlines. On a really good week, we may to sail out to the Isles of Scilly, Brittany or the Channel Islands. We sail where the wind takes us, and regularly spot dolphins, sun fish, basking sharks, seals and even pilot whales! Beach barbecues, fishing and swimming are all part of the fun.
Our sailing weeks mix high quality tuition with a fun, educational environment where everyone works and lives as a crew. RYA (Royal Yachting Association) certificates and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold Residential can be attained on board, as well as DofE Silver and Gold Expeditions.
Participants learn how to helm, use a compass, use charts and basic navigational skills to plan passages, raise and lower sails, tie knots and cook. Standard voyages start in the afternoon on Sunday and end at lunchtime on Friday. Our full time and relief skippers are RYA Yachtmasters and Cruising Instructors or higher, and mates and volunteers are qualified to levels appropriate to the responsibilities they carry in accordance with statutory MCA and RYA regulations and guidelines, and are subject to annual enhanced DBS disclosure.
As a charity we help the visually and hearing impaired, those with learning difficulties, special educational needs or behavioural difficulties, and any young person for whom the experience of sailing might otherwise be unattainable. We help hundreds of young people every year, from all backgrounds, to get out on the water and experience the adventure and freedom of a voyage at sea.
For more information call us on 01752 823007 or email info@theislandtrust.org.uk.