Ocean training passages

The idea of ocean/offshore training passages is to offer a possibility to enjoy offshore sailing, but at the same time, gain skills and experience in sailing a big boat offshore. 

Our first priority is always safety, so the procedures and ways of sailing the boat in a safe way, and acting in a safe way, are the first things to be adopted. Getting to know Galiana, her sails, ropes, and systems is obviously the next step. Having fun and cooperating together with the team onboard is a priority, so we'll start with name drills so that the old skipper will remember everybody's names.

Galiana is not a luxury charter vessel; we don't sail with guests who are served, but we sail together as a team with everybody doing everything. So be prepared to have your turn doing the dishes, cleaning the heads, vacuuming the cabin, and washing the decks. As a result, we get to enjoy a classic yacht in Bristol condition.

We also do our best to follow the principle of having a place for everything and everything in its place. The place for personal belongings is in your duffel bag or in your bunk.

We do this to have fun and enjoy life. The right attitude is the key: help the next one to you, give room, smile, laugh at yourself, and tell a joke. 

If you are interested in learning to use the sextant and finding your whereabouts at sea in the traditional way, I'll get you started.

The best way is to order Tom Cunliffe's book "Celestial Navigation" and/or my book "The Last Voyage of Asteria" from Amazon. Tom's book has a ca 35-page, well-illustrated, partly even amusing step-by-step simple explanation of how celestial navigation using the sun is done.

In my book, I have written a seven-page, boiled-down version of the process. Read through either one or both, and we'll get back to it once onboard Galiana. You can start practicing taking the sights from the deck of Galiana with our sextant, and I'll guide you through the calculations. Of course, subject to the weather - the sun needs to be visible:).

Check our calendar and choose the sailing event that suits you best.

Get on board!
Two people on a sailboat, one man steering and a woman sitting, smiling, with sunglasses and a white hat, in the open ocean under a partly cloudy sky.
A sailboat with white sails on the open ocean, with two crew members aboard, cutting through the waves under a cloudy sky.
A man on a sailboat holding a camera to his face, taking a photo, with the ocean and a blue and white sail in the background.
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    • Spinlock VITO PFD with integrated harness to use while aboard.

    • Spinlock Three hooked tether for moving around on deck to use while aboard.

    • All meals, snacks and drinks while on the boat.

    • We provide a pillow, pillow cover, light blanket and sheets for the bunks, but ask you to bring your own sleeping bag or warmer blanket and towel with you if needed.

    • Possibility to order Galiana team gear.

    • Race participation fees.

    • All boat related costs

    • Limited satellite connection (Starlink)

    • T-shirt

    • Transportation to and from the boat.

    • Meals and drinks ashore.

    • Personal toiletries & clothing.

    • Foul-weather gear (see packing list for details).

    • Personal accident and travel insurances

    • Required medical checks & certificates required by race organisation

    • Survival and first aid courses required by race organisations

Testimonials from the Sea.

  • I was most impressed by the way Tapio entrusted responsibility over Galiana to the young and enthusiastic co- sailors: with calm confidence and authority, yet with discrete attention to safety as well as individual and collective well being of the crew. Always ready to prepare hot food in conditions that no-one else felt able to do so. The chats with Tapio were an enriching experience in many ways. And being squeezed into one boat with the vitality of the predominantly young crew was a rejuvenating experience. I hope to be able to come aboard again soon.

    Gérard Krause

  • I sailed with Galiana from Helsinki to Kiel to learn more about offshore sailing and long-distance passages. I gained a lot from the experience, and Tapio and his team made sure we were safe and comfortable throughout the gales we encountered on the trip. I learned a great deal about seamanship, navigation, and long-distance sailing during the voyage, and I can warmly recommend joining Tapio and his team on one of their passages.

    Bjørnar Bolstad

  • I joined Galiana on the leg from Kiel to Gosport. We had a great sail despite winds gusting up to 30 knots. Not exactly Champagne sailing, but this is a boat set up for comfortable sailing in demanding conditions. The Crew was well looked after by the enormously experienced skipper Tapio, who ensured that the Crew was safe, well fed and in good spirits. I can warmly recommend anyone who wants to experience and enjoy ocean sailing to join Galiana on a leg (or more) on her voyage from Europe and to the Caribbean - and beyond.

    Thomas Ahlström