Johanna Lucretia - Next Step Appeal - Phase 3

Through our Next Step Appeal we successfully raised the funds to buy the impressive topsail schooner Johanna Lucretia, becoming her new owners in September 2018. We were supported by a mix of charitable donations, including a generous donation from the Peter Harrison Foundation, bequests and much valued support from individual donors, for which we are extremely grateful.

During the winter of 2018/19 we carried out routine maintenance work, sea trials and staff training, and welcomed aboard the first youth group in early spring 2019. Following our ‘Next Step Appeal – Phase 2’, over the winter of 2019/20, we reconfigured her to meet our needs and coding requirements, realising our ambition to be able to undertake longer voyages.

Yet at nearly 78 years old, our venerable old lady needs essential restoration works, to ensure her ongoing seaworthiness. She is due to undergo a programme of works over the winter of 2022/23, ready to re-commence youth sail training in the spring. The total cost is huge.

We now seek to raise a further £300,000 to carry out these works. Some specific elements include:

• inner stem replacement
• new engine
• new tanks
• recaulk hull and decks
• capping rails
• windlass repairs
• new main sheet horse

Can you support us in anyway, or maybe fund a specific element of the restoration? Together we can ensure that Johanna Lucretia is renewed and ready to sail with disadvantaged young people well into the future. We can provide a list of items and costs on request, from large to small.

Traditionally rigged, with lots of sheets (ropes) to pull and the wide array of sails means that there is plenty for everyone to get involved to sail the boat well. The topsail schooner is arguably one of the most versatile of all sailing rig types, being able to sail quickly close to the wind with her fore-and-aft sails like our other vessels, but also has excellent downwind performance with a square topsail and course.

Johanna Lucretia is currently the only UK flagged topsail schooner in sail training.

She is available for commercial and private charters, and we run a few voyages during the season for adults, proceeds of which support the Trust’s charitable activities.

Johanna Lucretia's spacious decks are ideal for group activities, and her large size, sheltered cockpit and high freeboard mean that beneficiaries feel safe at sea. Increased deck space is particularly important for the profoundly disabled young people that sail with us, as it offers extra room for the large bean bags used to ensure their comfort, stability and safety. Below deck, she is comfortable and cosy.

With your help we can continue to raise aspirations, widen horizons and develop lasting and positive change for the beneficiaries who sail on her.