Watch our promotional film to find out more about what it is like to be based at Trinity Sailing Foundation. 

About the Trust

Trinity Sailing Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to supporting the personal development of young people, using the medium of offshore sail training on traditional vessels. It enables wider appreciation of local maritime heritage by enabling people to experience life under traditional sail through sailing holidays, charter and sailing courses and learn about the history of the vessels.

The vessels

Leader is a rare survivor of the type of fishing vessel known as a Brixham trawler which, although of West Country origin, became the mainstay of the British fishing fleet, with many thousands in operation by the end of the nineteenth century. Built in 1892, she is one of the largest of the Brixham sailing trawlers at 105 feet, and fished in UK waters until 1907 when she was sold into Swedish ownership until the 1970s. On her return to the UK she was used for sailing holidays before she became part of the Trinity fleet. She is listed on the National Historic Fleet.

Also part of the Trinity fleet are historic vessels Provident, a medium-sized ‘mule’ class of sailing trawler and Golden Vanity, a gaff cutter  built to the lines of the smallest class of sailing trawler known as ‘Mumble Bees’.

Sailing programme

Trinity Sailing Foundation offers sailing holidays around the British Isles and Brittany, as well as RYA courses and Duke of Edinburgh Residential/Expeditions. One of Trinity’s main activities is sail training experiences for young groups from a range of different backgrounds, working in partnership with organisations concerned with the welfare of young people, including schools and colleges, social services, youth welfare groups and others. Young groups, up to 14 people strong, take part on residential voyages, typically lasting a week or so.

SHTP 2 training placement

Trainees are based on one of the above vessels and their day-to-day work varies from taking out parties of young people (including those from disadvantaged backgrounds) as part of youth development programmes, to sailing holidays and private chartered cruises.

With offices based in Brixham, trainees have the opportunity to learn other desk based skills associated with the modern operation of a sailing vessel and a sail training organisation. They also assist with maintenance work throughout the season and during the winter months.