Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is an ocean or offshore passage?

A: An ocean or offshore passage —or voyage— refers to a long-distance sailing journey across open waters, typically lasting several consecutive days or weeks, and often including navigation at night and long periods out of sight of land.

Q: What are the main pleasures of ocean sailing?

A: Offshore sailing offers a unique set of experiences that many sailors find deeply rewarding. Some of the main pleasures associated with ocean sailing are connection with nature, sense of adventure and challenge, freedom and meditative solitude, camaraderie and teamwork, lifelong learning and memories, wildlife spotting, night sky gazing, and scenic landfalls.

Q: What are some of its challenges?

A: The main challenges include dealing with changing weather conditions, potential equipment failures, fatigue from continuous sailing, and navigating through vast open waters. Overcoming these challenges definitely foster a sense of accomplishment and personal growth.

Q: What are the requirements to complete a RYA Ocean qualifying passage?

A: To qualify as a RYA Ocean passage, the voyage should be non-stop and no less than 600 nm, including at least 200 nm more than 50 miles from land or charted objects capable of being used for navigation —such as lighthouses, rocks, buoys— and for a duration of at least 96 consecutive hours —4 days. You may find more information here.

Q: Can anyone sail with you?

A: Yes, as long as you are physically fit. The other main requirement is to be a member of our club, the Grand 8 Sailors Circle. If you are not yet a member, you can join by filling in the Membership Application Form.

Q: How far in advance should I book a passage?

A: It is recommended to book as early as possible, especially for popular routes. Some passages may fill up months in advance. It is also a good way to benefit from special temporary promotions such as early birds, offering nice discounts.

Q: What is the cancellation policy?

A: You’ll find no better answers than in our Passages Terms and Conditions.

Q: Do I need travel cancellation insurance?

A: Yes, taking out travel cancellation insurance is strongly advised. Same goes for flexible return travel tickets, since port of arrival reaching delays may happen due to the very nature of sailing —changing weather conditions or potential equipment failures are inherent to sailing.

Q: Is sailing experience required to join as crew?

A: While previous sailing experience is beneficial, if only to be sure you’re comfortable at sea, it’s not always required. Beginners are welcomed. Our professional crew will assess each crew member’s skills and assign roles accordingly.

Q: Is my age an issue?

A: Not as long as you’re 18+, and in good shape and good health.

Q: How can I be sure an offshore passage is the right thing for me?

A: An ocean passage is without any doubt a great way to step away from daily life, a formidable experience, and often the source of positive personal transformation. Yet, you need to consider all aspects of a passage (browsing through our website and these FAQs should help you): if after weighing personal pros and cons the balance is positive, then go for it, we’re looking forward to welcoming you on board!

Q: What should I expect from a passage in terms of what I will learn? What is the style of sailing you offer?

A: Visiting crew members participate in all aspects of sailing the vessel. As we state on our homepage, the passages are not formal sailing classes, but immersive experiences where learning comes naturally through practice and invaluable real-world seamanship is gained under expert and friendly guidance, teamwork and camaraderie. Besides being safe, we also want our voyages to be carried out in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, because that’s what sailing is mainly about.

Q: What’s different compared to a more traditional ”charter cruise”?

A: Two different things, for sure. Both are fine, depending on your needs and expectations.
The Enola Sailing Project requires active participation: you come on board for a deeper sailing experience, where you’ll definitely learn or improve your sailing skills and seamanship.
If you’re more in the mood for lot’s of swimming, deck sunbathing, full resting days and gin and tonic sunsets, all with a subservient behaviour paid to you by a fully dedicated crew, then a charter cruise is the way to go.

Q: What’s daily life like during an ocean passage?

A: Daily life involves sailing, maneuvering, rotating watch schedules, maintaining the boat, preparing meals, housekeeping, resting, and enjoying.
There’s also time for recreational activities onboard, wildlife spotting, or stargazing with incredible skyscapes impossible to be seen in our light polluted cities.

Q: What kind of food do you eat during an ocean passage?

A: A combination of non-perishable foods, canned goods, and fresh produce —which is consumed early in the trip— is typical. We also have refrigeration for longer-lasting fresh food storage. And if we’re lucky, there may be ”the catch of the day” on the menu, for raw and grilled fish amateurs!

Q: Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

A: We strive to accommodate dietary restrictions when informed in advance. However, severe allergies or strict diets may be challenging in a limited galley environment.

Q: What is SV standing for?

A: SV (or S/V) is a common boat prefix and abbreviation standing for Sailing Vessel. You may also see the SY prefix, standing for Sailing Yacht.

Q: What type of vessel is SV Enola?

A: SV Enola is a 21-meter aluminum hull exploration vessel, build and designed to stand all kind of weather conditions, capable of sailing at any latitude, even in icy regions, and during several weeks without returning to port.

Q: What are her key features?

A: SV Enola features four guest cabins with ensuite heads, a large below deck salon, two on deck cockpits, spacious deck areas, and modern navigation equipment.

Q: How many people can she accommodate?

A: SV Enola can comfortably accommodate up to 8 guests in addition to 2 to 4 professional crew.

Q: How do you navigate during an ocean passage?

A: Navigation is done using a combination of GPS systems, digital and paper charts, and celestial navigation. Regular weather updates are also downloaded several times a day.

Q: How do you handle bad weather at sea?

A: Proper preparation, understanding weather patterns, and having storm tactics is essential. This might include reducing sail, changing course, or using specialized equipment like sea anchors.

Q: What are watches?

A: A watch system while sailing ensures that there is always someone actively steering, navigating, and keeping a lookout for hazards, such as other vessels, weather changes, or obstacles.
Dividing the crew into shifts prevents exhaustion and ensures everyone gets sufficient rest. Fatigue can lead to errors and accidents, especially during night watches when alertness is naturally lower.

Q: How do you organize watches and shifts?

A: We usually operate on a four-hour on-watch/eight-hour off-watch basis with three shifts (e.g., Red, White, and Blue) and at least two people on watch at any time. However, we may also use a rotating 3-hour on/6-hour off schedule to allow for a wider range of watch periods over 24 hours, i.e., the ability to witness sunrise and avoid the same shifts throughout the entire passage.

Example a 4-hour on-watch schedule:

• Red: 00:00–04:00 & 12:00–16:00
• White: 04:00–08:00 & 16:00–20:00
• Blue: 08:00–12:00 & 20:00–24:00

Q: Does off-watch mean I need to stay in my cabin and can’t participate to the boat life?

A: Yes, absolutely! No, of course not, just kidding. You may simply enjoy your time in a more relaxed way during your off-watch time, but still participate in on board routine if you wish to. Without forgetting your resting and sleeping needs though, since you’ll need to be ready and on the ball when your on-watch shift comes.

Q: What safety training is provided before departure?

A: A comprehensive and mandatory safety briefing is conducted before departure, covering emergency procedures, use of safety equipment, and general onboard safety. It last a few hours.

Q: What happens in case of a medical emergency at sea?

A: The vessel is equipped with a complete medical kit and the crew is trained in first aid. In severe cases, emergency services can be contacted via satellite communication.

Q: What safety equipment do you have on board?

A: We have all the essential safety equipment, including life jackets (PFDs), personal and emergency locator beacons (PLBs / EPIRBs),  safety tethers, emergency communication devices, and a well-stocked first aid kit. We’re also equiped with 2 liferafts for everyone on board.

Q: We’re a familiy / group of friends, can we charter the whole boat and have a tailored passage?

A: Groups are welcomed anytime, and booking the entire yacht is possible. Tailoring a passage is also feasible way in advance and depending on the season and/or where the vessel needs to be for the previous and the following passages.

Q: We’re a couple, or two friends, can we be sure to share the same cabin, and be on the same shift for watches?

A: Usually yes. We try to accomodate personal wishes, and as for shifts always with safety and smooth operations in mind: if both persons are newcomers to sailing, we may need to put them in different shifts with more seasoned sailors.

Q: How is communication handled during the voyage?

A: The boat is equiped with a 24/7 pole to pole satellite communication system for essential sailing operations (communications, navigation and safety aspects). However, it isn’t meant for personal communications, web browsing or Netflix watching.

Q: Will I be able to communicate with my family, friends and/or for my business during the entire voyage?

A: The short answer is no. When sailing out of mainland data coverage, our onboard satellite communication system is only meant for necessary sailing operations, mainly for GPS positioning and tracking, light data downloads like weather forecast files, and in case of an emergency. It doesn’t allow for any personal vocal or written communications or data downloads (films, music, personal messages).

Still, in the event you need to send an urgent personal message or email while offshore, we have an onboard specific messaging account and mailbox to be exceptionally used. Same applies if a relative needs to reach you urgently while at sea.

While you’ll be able to enjoy personal data connection when in proximity of mainland 4/5G coverage, always check your roaming options with your carrier, as data overages can be quite costly. You may also get an eSim with short-term data packages through some dedicated apps on iPhone or Android, such as Saily.

Q: Will my relatives or friends be able to track my passage at all time?

A: Yes, SV Enola is equiped with a 24/7 GPS traking system, and a dedicated page will be accessible to track her realtime position at anytime.

Q: What kind of clothing and personal items should I bring?

A: Have a look at our detailed Warm and Cold Locations Packing Lists

Q: Do you have a specific sailing clothing brand to recommend?

A: Yes we do. We have a special agreement with a leading specialized brand to offer our members significant discounts. Contact us to learn more (Members only)

Q: Do you offer individual or group discounts?

A: Yes we do offer temporary individual or group promotions from time to time. You may check our Passages lists for it.

Hint: we also may publish specific promotions via social media or our Newsletter mailing list, so follow join us there to avoid missing nice opportunities.

We also offer automatic discounts under the conditions listed in section 5.1 of our Passages Terms and Conditions.