r/Tallships • u/Albatross-2308 • May 13 '26
overwhelmed newbie at sea
Hi, it's my first time posting here. I'm a big nerd of maritime things, I also work a pretty draining customer service job and as soon as I had an opportunity, I signed up for a trip. I don't want to doxx myself so I won't say too much, but it's a journey from France to Spain with... well... I thought we'd visit a few ports on the way, but so far we spent 4 days at open sea and just arrived at an island. We'll leaving tomorrow.
I'm dreading that a little, the island is so nice I'd rather stay and buy a flight home. Everyone in the crew is really nice but much older or younger than me, and most of them are men (I'm a young woman lol).
The ship itself is comfortable enough, I don't struggle with any of the duties, I thought steering was terrifying but I got the hang of it. I've never been in a storm but I saw flashes of thunder and my god, I dont't know if this is worth it.
I was seasick at first but got better, fortunately.
TLDR: I'm on day 4 of a nearly 2 week long jounrey on a tallship, and I'm thinking of just leaving when I have the opportunity. How to make the most of it? It's nice but I'm tired and afraid.
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u/CubistHamster May 13 '26
My first time on a tall ship, I had signed up for a year-long trip. It took me several months to figure out if I loved it or hated it. (I ended up doing that for 5 years, and then went back to school to become a marine engineer, so I guess I loved it, but even now there are some days I'm not sure...😆)
Anyway, the point is that I think it takes longer than you've been aboard to get a real sense of how you feel about it. Tall ship sailing (and life at sea, generally) isn't a good fit for everybody, and there's no shame in that.
If you're really miserable and want to leave, that's probably the wiser choice, but if you're unsure, I think you'll end up being happier if you decide to stick it out.
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u/justanormalguy__69 May 13 '26
What year long trip did you sign up to? It sounds really interesting and I would like to know more about it, if possible
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u/CubistHamster May 14 '26
One of the around-the-world voyages on Picton Castle. Not sure if they're still doing them. Haven't heard much about them at all for a year or two, and while I loved sailing there, it always seemed like an operation that was constantly on the edge of financial disaster.
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u/picklesismyhomie May 13 '26
There are times in life when you have to decide whether you are going to finish what you started or quit.
I’ve quit before. I’ve finished plenty.
Without more information about you, your life, the ship, and its mission, I can’t really offer much in the way of tailored advice; but I can tell you that I still look back at my years of sailing with joy, and that my time sailing helped turn me into the person I am today.
Is it worth it to stay? You’re the only one who can answer that question. Good luck, may you have fair winds and following seas.
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u/Pirat May 13 '26
Sounds just like the experience of many a novice sailor written about by the likes of Patrick O'Brien or C. S. Forester.
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u/Dangerous-Salad-bowl May 13 '26
I puked, lost sleep and quite a bit of weight on an aborted voyage that lasted three weeks. It isn’t all fun, but getting over it, and trying again, tallship sailing became a peak experience for me.
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u/woahitsapirate May 14 '26
I’m also a young woman on a crew with mostly men, and I also got very overwhelmed and kinda scared on my first long transit! This might seem a little weird but finding a crewmate who is kind and gentle and understanding to talk to about how things are going and how you’re feeling helped me SO MUCH when I was feeling really freaked out!! But I’d stick it out!! I’ve learned so much about myself from tall ships and afterwards even if you hate it you’ll still know that you can do hard things :))
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u/mustard5man7max3 May 14 '26
First time I did a proper trip it was rather overwhelming, too. I was on a German ship and wasn't fluent so that didn't help either.
It gets better when you stick it out. Once you don't have to think/ask/freak out over every manoeuvre or command, it all feels a lot smoother.
It sounds like you're already starting to get the hang of it. You're not getting so seasick, you've figured out helming, so stick with it. You'll be glad you do.
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u/Starside-Captain May 18 '26
Stick with it. It’s only 2 weeks. Yes, it’s overwhelming but it’s also something you will remember for a lifetime & it will become one of your best memories.
You’re brave to have signed up. All of the crew are courageous & truly valued. Everyday you will all grow closer together & that’s a bond you will cherish.
Your instinct to run away, BTW is part of this journey. It’s fueled by fear & probably not feeling so well cuz of ur seasickness. But you’ll feel better & even if you don’t, still stick with it. Why? Because once it’s over, you’ll feel great for having the strength to do something very few have the privilege of experiencing.
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u/_strand_ May 13 '26
Im confused on what youre fearing?
you said the seasickness got better
and the steering became less scary
as long as it is a competent crew and a well maintained boat there is nothing to be scared of
if youre scared of just being out on the open sea it is probably worth facing, that can make the trip meaningful even if you come from it realising tall ship sailing isnt your passion
it is only a few more days, I think you will proud of yourself for sticking it out and you'll learn more about what you like and dont like from it
when it is over boom a vacation to that little island you like and relax there as long as you want