As the days grow warmer and a new season approaches, Pioneer CK18’s cover finally comes off to greet the sun!⛵☀️ After a winter of hard work and careful maintenance, the team are nearly finished getting her ready to welcome both new and returning groups back out on the water. 🌊 We can’t wait to get sailing again — changing and inspiring lives with every journey, especially for those who need it most. ✨ #SeasonPrep #BackToWork #SpringReady #Sailing #ChangingLives

When your favourite colleague has the day off tomorrow… #pioneersailingtrust #colleague #dayoff #officehumour #trend

🚤 NEW for 2026: Boatbuilding Experience Days! 🔨 Ever wanted to try traditional boatbuilding but can’t commit to a full course? This is your chance 👀 Our Boatbuilding Experience Days are hands-on, immersive, and seriously good fun. ✨ What you’ll get stuck into: Steam bending oak to create a bent timber ring Fastening with traditional copper nail and rove Making a mobile phone stand using dovetail joinery Trying your hand at caulking Learning some classic knots and making a keyring to take home Plus… a guided tour of our boatyard! 🕤 Time: 09:30 – approx. 16:30 🍽 Lunch: Fish & chips provided (vegetarian/vegan options available) ☕ Tea & coffee available all day 👥 Who’s it for? Ages 14+ (no upper age limit!) Under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult (18+) No previous experience needed 🦺 What to wear: Suitable workshop clothing & footwear (All PPE provided) 📅 Dates & Prices: Adult Experience Day – £119 📍 Saturday 25th April 2026 📍 Saturday 4th July 2026 Young Person Experience Day – £149 (1 adult + 1 young person) 📍 Saturday 23rd May 2026 📍 Location: Pioneer Sailing Trust Harker’s Yard, Shipyard Estate Copperas Road, Brightlingsea Essex, CO7 0AR 📧 To book or find out more: Email training@pioneersailingtrust.org.uk Spaces are limited—don’t miss your chance to get hands-on with traditional boatbuilding! ⚓ #PioneerSailingTrust #PioneerCK18 #Boatbuilding #ExperienceDays #BoatRestoration

Merry Christmas from the Pioneer Sailing Trust! Wishing You a Joyful Holiday Season As the year comes to a close, we want to extend our warmest wishes to you, our valued service users and partners. May your holidays be filled with joy, peace, and cherished moments with loved ones. We are incredibly grateful for your continued trust and collaboration. Your support has been instrumental to our success, and we look forward to another year of working together. During the holiday season, our offices will be operating on a reduced schedule. We therefore apologise for any delays in our replies. From all of us at the Pioneer Sailing Trust, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Don’t ask you don’t get… right? 🥺👉👈 #pioneersailingtrust #whatdoyouthink #socialmediagirl #simoncowell #correctgoodbye

Our apprentices at The Pioneer Sailing Trust work on commercial projects, building Harker's Yard rowing gigs. The first 19 gigs were built from a cold-moulded construction, using three layers of mahogany. These wooden coastal rowing gigs are based on an East Coast design, specifically adapted for racing. They are slightly shorter (24ft) than traditional Cornish gigs and are rowed by a crew of four, plus a coxswain. These gigs are a key part of the coastal rowing scene in the East of England, with the Harker's Yard Gig Association (HYGA) organising a popular winter racing series. The current gigs are a composite version of the East Coast gig with the same specification, but instead of cold-mouldered, the hull is made from fibreglass with a wooden fitout and built-in buoyancy. With thanks to the The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the National Lottery players for help in supporting our projects! #thepioneersailingtrust #HarkersYard #Pioneer #Rowing #HarkersYardGigAssociation #HeritageFundUK

Looking back over the past season as we draw to a close... here are some of the quotes we have received from our lovely guests over the year.

Thank you to @Simon Michael Oshea for sharing with us the footage he captured of Pioneer CK18 whilst testing out his new drone the other day! 🎥⛵️ #PioneerSailingTrust #SailingLife #ThePioneerSailingTrust #PioneerCK18 #DroneFootage

One of a series of short films on how to set up Priscilla, a classic sailing smack.

One of a series of short films on how to set up Priscilla, a classic sailing smack.

One of a series of short films on how to set up Priscilla, a classic sailing smack.

One of a series of short films on how to set up Priscilla, a classic sailing smack.

One of a series of short films on how to set up Priscilla, a classic sailing smack.

One of a series of short films on how to set up Priscilla, a classic sailing smack.

One of a series of short films on how to set up Priscilla, a classic sailing smack.

One of a series of short films on how to set up Pioneer, a classic sailing smack.

One of a series of short films on how to set up Pioneer, a classic sailing smack.