PROVIDENT – A CENTURY OF HERITAGE UNDER SAIL

Provident is a magnificent 101-year-old Brixham sailing trawler, one of the last of her kind and a proud icon of Britain’s rich maritime heritage. Built in 1924 to work the demanding waters of the English Channel, she has since been lovingly restored and maintained, now offering unforgettable sailing holidays with the perfect blend of tradition, comfort and adventure.

Originally designed for strength and practicality, Brixham trawlers were the workhorses of the fishing fleets – powerful, gaff-rigged vessels built to withstand the toughest of seas. Provident embodies all the character and charm of these hardy boats, yet she has been thoughtfully adapted for modern cruising. Her wide decks, solid oak construction and generous beam offer unrivalled stability and safety, making her an ideal vessel for seasoned sailors and curious beginners alike.

Today, Provident sails Scotland’s wild and breathtaking west coast, including the Hebrides, Skye, and rarely reached remote anchorages. She offers a hands-on sailing experience, inviting guests to hoist sails, take the helm, or simply sit back and enjoy the timeless rhythm of life at sea. Whether you're navigating between islands, spotting dolphins off the bow, or sharing stories in the glow of the galley lantern, every voyage aboard Provident is a journey into the heart of maritime tradition.

ACCOMMODATION

Step below and you’ll find a warm, welcoming saloon with ample seating, a large communal table, and a well-equipped galley where delicious home-cooked meals are prepared by the onboard chef. Meals are made using local ingredients whenever possible and shared family-style after a day in the salt air.

Our four small but perfectly formed and comfortable cabins accommodate 8 to 10 guests. Two toilets and a hot shower provide essential comforts, while the oak frames and varnished woodwork retain all the charm of a classic vessel.

Provident is usually crewed by a skipper, mate and cook – all highly experienced sailors with a passion for sharing their knowledge and love of the sea. Guests are encouraged to join in with sailing duties, whether it’s raising the sails, learning to read the wind, or helping with navigation.

Floor plan of a boat showing sleeping areas, bathrooms, galley, saloon, and crew quarters.

ACCOMMODATION

Number of guest berths: 8
Number of bathrooms: 2 (with one shower)
Cabin configuration: 4 twin cabins
Smoking policy: On deck only

PARTICULARS

Port of Registration: Brixham
Year built: 1924
Length overall: 90’ / 27m
Draft: 9’ / 2.7m
Sail Area: 4000 sq ft
Number of Sails: up to 8 at a time
Rig: Gaff ketch (Note: some sources describe Provident as a gaff cutter, but she's traditionally rigged as a gaff ketch with main and mizzen masts)
Crew: 3–4 (Skipper, Mate, Cook, plus additional crew for longer passages)

A sailboat with brightly colored red and black sails on the water, with a cloudy sky and mountains in the background. Two people are on the boat, and there is a small inflatable dinghy attached.
Interior of Provident with wooden paneling, two plaid benches with pillows, a navigation map, and windows showing the dock outside.
A wooden table with a blue teapot, several cups, a jar, a woven placemat, and a tray of jam-filled crumb bars with crumb topping near a window.
Provident'S GALLEY with wooden cabinets, stainless steel sink, fruit bowl, stove, and countertop with bottles, flowers, and kitchen items.
Provident's cozy dining nook with a large wooden table, surrounded by green upholstered seating with colorful pillows, in a room with wood-paneled walls, bookshelves, a framed painting, a clock, and a ceiling light.
Provident's cozy dining area with green cushioned benches, a wooden table with fruit, framed pictures on the white walls, a ceiling skylight, and wooden floors and beams.
Colorful coffee mugs, a teapot, and plate of cookies on a wooden table.
A group of eight people sitting around a rectangular wooden dining table in a cozy, rustic cabin interior with wood-paneled walls and a skylight ceiling.
Interior view of a cozy Provident with green seating, a staircase leading to the upper deck, and a small dining area with cookies on a wooden table.
A cozy bunk bed with patterned bedding in a small wooden-paneled cabin room, illuminated by a small wall-mounted light.
A bedside table with a pair of blue and orange headphones and a phone with a wolf image on the cover. A wall-mounted wooden light fixture with an illuminated bulb and a small circular digital display is against a beige wall neighboring the bed.
Room with wooden bunk beds, decorated with pillows and bedding with geometric patterns, white walls, and a small wall-mounted clock.
Bunk bed with patterned sheets and pillows in a cozy, wooden-room corner.
A cozy sleeping area with two beds, one above the other, with floral and patterned bedding, four grey towels, green pillows, a small wooden cabinet, and a small light on the wall.
Bunk beds with patterned bedding and pillows inside a small room with wooden accents and a small heater.
Wooden bunk beds with leaf-patterned bedding, dark green and gray pillows, and gray towels in a cozy, rustic room.
A cozy bed with white bedding and a patterned pillow inside a small wooden cabin or boat cabin, with various electrical panels and wires on the wall beside the bed.
A stuffed dog plush toy with brown and white fur sits on a white bed next to a blue and orange pair of headphones and a phone with a wolf image on the case. There is a wooden wall light above the bed in the background.
A cozy bedroom with a wooden bed frame, pillows, and a patterned comforter, with a wood cabinet and a small wall-mounted light.
Bunk bed with two mattresses, pillows, and blankets in a wooden cabin interior with small cabin-sized window.
A small wooden nightstand with a blue water bottle, an apple, and a pack of gum or candy on top. A backpack and a duffel bag are on the bed next to scattered pillows and a comforter with a colorful, leaf pattern. Shoes are on a green tray on the floo
Small bathroom with a modern toilet and a wooden shelf with a sink above it, small basket on the floor, and wooden framing around the doorway.

Comfortable and cosy, discover provident below decks

Provident has four twin cabins.  We welcome groups of any size up to a maximum of ten. We want to welcome solo travellers. If you are travelling alone we will discuss who you might share with. 

The forepeak is our biggest cabin.  It could be suitable for guests with extra physical needs.  It has a small double, a standard single and an additional single going cross-wise. This cabin could be booked by a group of three or even a family of four. The additional bunk can only be booked by a group along with the two other bunks.  The price for a group of three; is three for the price of two and a half. I.e. the third place is half price.  For a family of four please contact us to discuss your booking.

Our narrowest bunk is 60cm in width. Please consider if this will be ok for you. If you are concerned about this, please let us know as we have wider bunks available (subject to availability).

You may want to book the whole boat for a group of friends who have a plan. For example we could take a group of walkers, wild swimmers, divers or bird watchers. Call us if you would like to discuss this.

plan of the layout on Provident

  • Did the trip meet your expectations?

    Absolutely - and exceeded them (and they were already high given the great reputation Provident has).

  • Above deck: What was your experience of the sailing / activity part of the trip?

    Brilliant! Given every opportunity to play a full part in all deck activity - the sailing was epic, the scenery beautiful, the wildlife, particulary the dolphins, immense! A winning combination.

  • Below deck: what was you experience of living on Provident?

    Really excellent! I have sailed on at least 8 traditional boats of all sizes over the years and Provi was easily the most comfortable and well designed. Love the dog house - makes a real difference being able to pop in to warm up or eat while still seeing whats going on. The atmosphere was also great, really sociable.

  • what was you experience of living on Provident?:

    Really excellent! I have sailed on at least 8 traditional boats of all sizes over the years and Provi was easily the most comfortable and well designed. Love the dog house - makes a real difference being able to pop in to warm up or eat while still seeing whats going on. The atmosphere was also great, really sociable. Superb - Julio is simply outstanding! I have never eaten so well on a classic boat (or in a restaurant frankly), the meals were fantastic and played a big part in my overall enjoyment of the trip.