Sailing Trips for up to 12 Guests
Ethel Ada is now available to hire for sailing holidays, static events, corporate charters and barge matches. One of the smaller sailing barges, she can accommodate up to 12 guests with skipper and mate to sail her. She is a comfortable barge for an evening, a weekend or a week or more. Her current owners lived aboard for several years until their family outgrew the space and her cargo hold has been converted with style and sensitivity to provide comfortable modern accomodation while retaining all the original features typical of a wooden ship more than 100 years old.
Learn to Sail the Barge
Trips can be tailored from 1 day to 7 days and can accommodate school groups (personal development and fun), groups of friends (short break activity holidays), work colleagues (team building exercise or a break from the office) or a family holiday for all ages.
Begin your trip from central London (Tower Bridge) or one of the many East Coast ports from the Swale to the Alde.
All trips are run by our highly qualified and experienced barge skipper and first mate who will teach you about all aspects of sailing the barge, from navigating to setting the sails. Although she carries 3,500 sq ft of canvas, Ethel Ada is surprisingly responsive and easy to sail, and with her shallow draft, there are endless creeks and waterways to be explored. There are a multitude of tasks for sailors of all abilities, and plenty of time to sit and enjoy the views of coastline and mudflats gliding past.
For the more active break schedule your trip to coincide with one of several historic annual barge matches which take place on the East Coast.
For the more sedate break use the barge as a platform for bird watching or art and photography; go ashore by motor launch to visit places spotted from the water; lay back and watch the sky go by.
A Floating Venue
The barge can offer an unusual alternative meeting room away from the office, a venue for a special lunch or dinner or an intimate drinks reception. If your group is no more than 12, you can motor down the Thames to Greenwich or the Thames Barrier as part of your event. Larger groups can enjoy Ethel Ada on her mooring at Hermitage Wharf in central London with unique views of Tower Bridge, or in the historic setting of St Katharine Docks.
Availability and Prices
Ethel Ada is available for sailing trips from April to October and for stationary events in London or motoring down the Thames all year round. For 2009, she is chartered at £600 per day including the skipper and mate, but not including catering (see below). To check availability and discuss catering options please contact us.
Catering
We offer 3 catering options for charters on Ethel Ada:
self catering
bring your own food (and food for the crew), and prepare it in the galley on board.
semi-catered
Our specialist caterer will supply all the food and drink you will need for your trip in cold boxes, with an agreed menu. Each meal will come with instructions, and minimal preparation is required. The menus are chosen to be easy to prepare, and easy to serve while under sail.
fully catered
Our specialist caterer will supply all the food and drink for you and the crew, as well as a cook to prepare all meals and make tea and snacks on demand! Menus can be discussed and agreed in advance.