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Life on board the sailing ship Gratia

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Yesterday we spent a whole day on board the sailing ship Gratia, which belongs to the Swedish Cruise Club Sailing School Foundation. There were many hours out in the fresh sea air. We hoisted and salvaged sails, tied knots, cruised, pumped water with the bilge pumps, slept on deck and had fun with the crew over good food in the mess hall. So what is life on board a sailing ship from 1900 really like?

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Morning routines at Utö

Around seven o'clock yesterday morning we woke up in our bunks. It may look a little crowded, but after a long day at sea, I promise that you still sleep well! The morning started with a porridge breakfast, some morning toilet and cleaning of the ship. Then it was just to hoist the flag and set off!

Gratia sovplatser
Crowded or not, this is where you sleep well after a day at sea.
Utö
The flag is raised and we head out from Utö.

Tasks on board

There are always tasks on board a sailing ship like the Gratia. Sails have to be hoisted and salvaged, you have to cross between islands, you have to pump the bilge (wooden boats always leak and will do so, we have learnt), and when nothing is urgent, there are always a few ropes to be "quailed" (twisted together and hung up, if I understood the word correctly ...).

All the time we're told about gaff sails, pike halyards, claws and cleavers. You don't understand half of it, of course, but the instructors still manage to put us to work. When you don't understand how something is connected, it is always said that you have to look up - because there are the answers!

Why can't pigs sail? Because their necks are too hard and they can't look up.

Segling Gratia
Sometimes you have to dig in!
Time to pump the bilge!
Kartläsning segelbåt
It's good to know where you are!
Musning
Peter devotes himself to musing
Spaning på däck
What's ahead?
Segel Gratia
Time to take down the sails
Gratia
Sometimes there is even a chance to relax a bit!

Evening in Träskö-Storö

In the evening we docked at a cliff on Träskö-Storö. Fantastically nice to be able to stay here in the middle of the archipelago! After a long day at sea, it was nice with a good meal (super good meat stew, red wine and later some cheese and biscuits) and a lot of talk and laughter in the mess hall. Today, Sunday, it is time for our last sailing day!

Gratia segelfartyg
We have added in Träskö Storö

This sailing event was organised in cooperation with the Swedish Cruiser Club Sailing School Foundation. The texts, pictures and opinions are as usual our own.

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