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Sail aboard the Amelie Rose - Everything you need to select and book your low-carbon Adventure

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Amelie Rose Sailing Update

We have decided to suspend our sailing adventures until we can find a new owner for Amelie Rose and Topsail Adventures

This is to enable us to focus on Amelie Rose’s refit, find her new custodians and to start developing our next project!

We hope that Topsail Adventures and Amelie Rose will be back underway soon – with new hands at the helm.

If you are interested in sailing aboard this amazing vessel then please join our mailing list below (our newsletter recipients will be the first to hear when our new schedule goes live) and have a look through the information here to get a feel for the types of trips that we run and the places we go

Search our Adventure Database

If you’re thinking “enough chatter – show me the adventures!” then this is the section for you.

Cut straight to the chase and search through the adventures that we have planned by jabbing at the button below.

Learn about the Destinations

How does the Solent compare to the Isles of Scilly? What’s so great about the Channel Islands?

If these are the questions uppermost in your mind right now then this is the button to click.

Learn about the Adventure Styles

From weekend tasters to professional training, different styles of adventure suit different tastes.

If you’re wondering which one is right for you then this button is the one you should poke.

Learn more about life onboard the boat

The adventures look great – but what about being on board the boat? She’s going to be your home for a while and you want to know what it’ll be like.

If this is your thinking then this is the button you should be clicking.

Different Destinations - Different Adventures

Our cruising ground is rich with interest, challenge and natural beauty. Stretching West from the Solent to the Isles of Scilly, and South from the Jurassic Coast across the English Channel to Northern Brittany, the next adventure is never more than day’s sail away.

The Solent & Dorset

From the beginnings of the Jurassic Coastline in the West to the home of yachting that is the Solent in the East our home waters pack a massive amount into a relatively small space. Full of hustle and bustle in the Summer, there are still secluded anchorages in the Spring and Autumn and many interesting harbours and fishing villages to explore. Our favourite haunts include the lovely anchorages of Newtown Creek, Alum Bay and Worbarrow Bay, and the harbours at Yarmouth, Cowes and Poole.

View our Adventures to The Solent & Dorset

Devon & Cornwall

Along the Jurassic Coast from our native Hampshire lies one of our favourite mainland cruising areas; the South Coast of Devon and Cornwall. This creased and folded coastline hides stunning harbours from view behind twisted river entrances, whilst elsewhere safe haven is wrestled from the sea by the granite defences of harbours like Mousehole. The varied nature of the coastline and the myriad of places to explore makes every trip past Start Point a total pleasure. Wildlife abounds here too; with sightings of Whales, Dolphins, Sunfish and Basking Sharks all listed in Amelie Rose’s logbooks for the area.

View our Adventures to Devon & Cornwall

The Isles of Scilly

Sail on an adventure to the Isles of Scilly. Clear water, white sand, stunning anchorages, amazing wildlife – all basking in the warmth of the summer sun.

Thirty miles west from Lands End lie the glorious Isles of Scilly. Always the best adventures of our year and an opportunity not to be missed – what better way can there be to visit Scilly than aboard a Scillonian Pilot Cutter? Our usual itinerary sees us sail not only to the inhabited islands of St Marys, Tresco, Bryher, St Martins and St Agnes but also takes in some wildlife spotting down amongst the Western Rocks and occasionally a restful night in the Eastern Isles around Great Ganilly.

View our Adventures to The Isles of Scilly

The Channel Islands

Just a shade over 60nm from the Solent, the sunny Channel Islands are packed with historical and navigational interest in almost equal measure. Home of the infamous Swinge and the Alderney Race they are the perfect place to practice your pilotage under the skipper’s watchful eye, but there’s plenty to see and do if you’d rather let us take care of all that. Raising Alderney after the Channel Crossing is evocative of ancient mariners raising land after time at sea and from this point onwards the islands are a delight. St Peter Port in Guernsey usually features but the true gems of the Islands; Herm, Sark and occasionally Iles Chausey are what we go for.

View our Adventures to The Channel Islands

Northern Brittany

From sandy beaches to craggy granite shorelines, the North Coast of France has always got some new and interesting view just around the corner. Pretty anchorages nestle next to busy harbour towns and winding rivers disappear deep into the countryside. The Bretons know their traditional boats too, so everywhere we go Amelie Rose is welcomed with open arms. The Bretons also really know how to put on a great festival. There’s generally at least one big one running each year, and they are an experience not to missed. At the heart of their excellence lies the organisers’ view that the boats and crews are the stars of the show and so we are always treated like royalty, with fantastic Breton food and drink often laid on for free.

View our Adventures to Northern Brittany

The Solent & Dorset

From the beginnings of the Jurassic Coastline in the West to the frenzy of yachting that is the Solent in the East our home waters pack a massive amount into a relatively small space.

See the adventures

Devon & Cornwall

Along the Jurassic Coast from our native Hampshire lies a favourite mainland cruising area; the South Coast of Devon and Cornwall.

See the adventures

The Isles of Scilly

Sail on an adventure to the Isles of Scilly. Clear water, white sand, stunning anchorages, amazing wildlife - all basking in the warmth of the summer sun.

See the adventures

The Channel Islands

Just a shade over 60nm from the Solent, the sunny Channel Islands are packed with historical and navigational interest in almost equal measure.

See the adventures

Northern Brittany

From sandy beaches to craggy granite shorelines, the North Coast of France has always got some new and interesting view just around the corner.

See the adventures

Your Adventure - Your Style

Whether it’s sampling the traditional working boat experience over a weekend, or visiting somewhere new on longer holiday, our different adventure styles offer something for everyone with an eye for classic boats.

Traditional Tasters

Whether you’re new to sailing, want a celebration for family and friends, or simply want to discover what’s so great about sailing on a ship of Nelson’s era, our “Traditional Taster Weekends” are the ideal way to try out the Amelie Rose experience.

View our Traditional Tasters

Adventure Cruises

The perfect cocktail: Longer, relaxed adventures aboard and fascinating trips ashore mixed with all the best Channel destinations. We have Adventure Cruises ranging in length from 4 to 12 days, to most of our favourite places. so there’s sure to be something to suit your taste.

View our Adventure Cruises

Special Events

There’s nothing quite like being part of an event rather than just a spectator. From regattas to festivals there’s lots of traditional boats to ogle, racing to enjoy and always plenty to do ashore. Looking around aboard each others boats is encouraged and the camararderie between crews makes for unforgettable holidays.

View our Special Events

Training Courses

Get your RYA Competent Crew, Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper qualification aboard Amelie Rose and enjoy the best of both worlds, an internationally recognised qualification and 6 days aboard the most beautiful school boat in the Solent.

Just because our boat is traditional doesn’t mean that our training is old fashioned however. Skipper Nick is a an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor/Examiner and our RYA courses are delivered in association with our RYA Training Centre Partner BOSS to ensure that we maintain the very highest standards.

View our Training Courses

Mile-builder Voyages

A Mile-builder voyage is perfect if you want to maximise your sea-miles without shelling out a ton of dosh. They’re also a brilliant way to experience longer passages under the watchful eye of a professional skipper and RYA Yachtmaster Instructor. We have mile-builders along the South Coast, across to the Channel Islands, and pound per mile, they’re a real steal.

View our Mile-builder Voyages

Traditional Tasters

Our “Traditional Taster Weekends” are the ideal way to try out the Amelie Rose experience.

See the adventures

Adventure Cruises

The perfect cocktail: Longer, relaxed adventures aboard and fascinating trips ashore mixed with all the best Channel destinations.

See the adventures

Special Events

There's nothing quite like being part of an event rather than just a spectator. From regattas to festivals there's lots to choose from.

See the adventures

Training Courses

Get your Competent Crew, Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper aboard the Amelie Rose and enjoy 6 days aboard the most beautiful school boat in the Solent.

See the adventures

Mile-builder Voyages

A mile-builder voyage is perfect if you want to maximise your sea-miles for the minimum amount of money.

See the adventures

What people say…

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed last week on Amelie Rose. Of course the weather helped, but the whole experience was great, - the sailing, Douarnenez, the company and, of course, the food, - many thanks!

Christine West

Life aboard the Amelie Rose

Have a look around the boat, find out what a typical day is like, learn about the food we serve and everything else about life aboard.

Amelie Rose Tour

Find out all about Amelie Rose and what she’s like above and below deck. Traditional boats like Amelie Rose have a very different feeling about them than modern boats. Both when they’re under way, where their weight gives them a superb motion through the sea, but also when you’re down below where it feels like a big wooden hug. We’ve got lots of pictures and a plan so that you can get a real feel for her before you come aboard. Look her over from Stem to Stern and even check out the berths so you can bag the best one when you come aboard!

Find out more

Who are we?

Topsail Adventures is run by Nic Beck, and a number of chums, from the Beaulieu River in the heart of the New Forest. Nic is usually the Skipper aboard the Amelie Rose with various of the chums serving as First Mate. Back in 2009 Nic left her City IT job to launch Amelie Rose and Topsail Adventures, with the aim of re-connecting as many people as possible with the great sailing heritage of our island nation.

Find out more

The Adventure Experience

The boat, skipper and mate are only part of the story of an adventure aboard the Amelie Rose. Discover more about day to day life aboard, the kinds of adventures that we have, who comes along and the other elements that make cruising aboard such an inspiring experience. Whilst capable of handling Amelie Rose on our own we passionately believe that our guests get the most out of their time aboard by becoming a true part of her crew. There are tasks aboard for every skill level, be it hoisting sails, helming, pulling on sheets or even making the tea.

Find out more

Grog and Rations

It’s our firm belief that a well-fed crew is a happy crew and it’s amazing how appetites grow at sea, especially when working Amelie Rose with her blocks and tackles and her handspike windlass. With this in mind we cook good hearty food and make sure that there’s always a snack box aboard full of wholesome (and not so wholesome) snacks for filling up in those peckish moments. We’re also of the opinion that there is no such thing as too much tea, and can rarely be enticed to start a day without a pot of freshly brewed “proper” coffee (black no sugar please, if you’re up first).

Find out more

Your safety aboard

The sea can be a dangerous and unpredictable environment; this challenge is what part of what makes sailing such a great adventure. With this in mind we take the safety of our guests very seriously at Topsail Adventures and ensure that not only do we carry the latest safety equipment but that we know how to use it. Find out more here about a few of the ways that we strive to make your adventure as safe as it is enjoyable.

Find out more

Amelie Rose Tour

Find out all about Amelie Rose and what she's like above and below deck.

Who are we?

Who are Topsail Adventures and why do we do what we do?

The Adventure Experience

The boat, skipper and mate are only part of the story of an adventure aboard the Amelie Rose. Discover more about day to day life aboard.

Grog and Rations

It's our firm belief that a well-fed crew is a happy crew and it's amazing how appetites grow at sea.

Your safety aboard

The sea can be a dangerous and unpredictable environment; find out about some of the ways that we make your adventure as safe as it is enjoyable.

Let's stay in touch...

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