What we do

Sail training is an excellent means of channelling the energy and spirit of young people.  Many countries around the world finance and run sail training.

In Norfolk there is a rather unique set-up, it began as the dream of a local man.  He saw the potential of sail training in developing the 'spirit of Norfolk youth' and began fund raising to buy a boat specifically for the young people of the county to sail on.  By organising the Country Fair at Holkham in 1977 he raised an amazing £25,000.

Part of this money bought a 50% share in a custom built 72' Robert Clarke Ketch named Spirit of Boadicea.  Her co owners were the Ocean Youth Trust.*

The rest of the money was invested with the dividend paying for the annual bursaries for young people who could not afford the full voyage fees.

Spirit of Boadicea spent many happy seasons sailing out of East Coast harbours.  She entered the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race on numerous occasions and had become a regular sight in many Dutch ports.

A decision was made in 2000 that Spirit of Boadicea should be sold and for the Norfolk Boat to enter into a new phase of assisting the young people of Norfolk into going to sea.

Currently the Norfolk Boat are able to offer funds to young people from all walks of life to help them afford to sail on any sea going boats run by approved sail training organisations, including the Ocean Youth Trust, Excelsior, Scouts Offshore, Golden Vanity and many more.

The Norfolk Boats motto is 'to inspire and develop the spirit of Norfolk youth' and they look forward to helping many more young people sail in the future.

*Once Europe's largest sail training organisation.