Brilliant is an offshore classroom for the Mystic Seaport Museum education programs. The Brilliant sailing program offers people of all ages the opportunity to learn about sailing on one of the finest wooden schooners ever built. Since 1953, Brilliant has sailed the equivalent of five times around the earth, with more than 11,000 students setting the sails and steering the vessel’s course.
The schooner Brilliant sail-training program introduces teens and adults to life aboard a classic schooner while sailing the New England coast. Our programs range from two-day trips to ten-day voyages, and are open to all experience levels. While sailing on board Brilliant, teenagers and adults become part of the crew while cruising local waters and visiting scenic ports of call. As one of the oldest sail training programs in the country, Brilliant has fostered teamwork, leadership, stewardship, and traditional seamanship for more than 60 years.
The Brilliant program focuses on educating participants about sail handling and theory, teamwork, being a good shipmate, stewardship, navigation, and proper seamanship. All sailors are expected to fully participate in all aspects of daily vessel operations from hauling on lines and steering, to helping in the galley. Participants work together under the guidance of the professional crew of a captain, mate, and cook, to safely sail hundreds of miles and learn traditional seamanship skills. The vessel anchors each night in various ports during multi-day programs.
Brilliant is owned and operated by Mystic Seaport Museum and inspected by the US Coast Guard. Though traditional in operation and construction, Brilliant carries modern navigation and safety equipment. It has been described by WoodenBoat magazine as one of the 100 most-beautiful classic boats in existence and “one of the best maintained and sailed classic yachts in the country — if not the world.”
During our youth sailing programs, participants are integrated into the crew of Brilliant while cruising the waters of southern New England and visiting scenic anchorages and ports of call. All hands take part in the vessel’s operation, including steering, sail handling, furling, hauling up the anchor, helping in the galley, daily cleaning, and watch standing.
Going to sea and sailing this iconic vessel is as challenging as it is fun and rewarding. Brilliant has fostered and developed teamwork, leadership, stewardship, and traditional seamanship in youth for more than 60 years. Participants learn and grow under the guidance a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed Captain and professional crew.
These programs are open to teens between the ages of 15 and 18 and are great for those who enjoy being on the water, sailing, and being challenged by a dynamic environment. Sailing experience is not necessary; we will teach you everything that you need to know.
On all programs, participants must be physically fit and agile, and competent swimmers. Take a look at the Brilliant Youth Sailing Handbook.
The Brilliant program focuses on educating participants about sail handling and theory, teamwork, being a good shipmate, stewardship, navigation, and proper seamanship. All sailors are expected to fully participate in all aspects of daily vessel operations from hauling on lines and steering, to helping in the galley. Participants work together under the guidance of the professional crew of a captain, mate and cook, to safely sail hundreds of miles and learn traditional seamanship skills. The vessel anchors each night in various ports during multiday programs. Multi-day teen programs: 15-18 year olds board at 9am on the first day of the program, and depart at 3pm on the last day.
2024 Program Dates
Five-day Trips:
June 24-28 Mystic, CT to Mystic, CT
July 1-5 Mystic, CT to Mystic, CT
July 8-12 Mystic, CT to Mystic, CT
July 15-19 Mystic, CT to Mystic, CT
Ten-day Trips:
We strongly recommend that participants complete a five-day overnight trip aboard Brilliant before signing up for a ten-day trip.
July 22-31 Mystic, CT to Mystic, CT
August 5-14 Mystic, CT to Mystic, CT
Scholarship awards are generally granted for up to 50% of the program costs, but additional funds are available if needed. For more information, please review the Application for Financial Assistance for Schooner Brilliant at Mystic Seaport Museum.
Five-day Trips
Member Price
$1,390
Non-Member Price
$1,540
Ten-day Trips
Member Price
$2,725
Non-Member Price
$2,925
Join other adults and the professional crew aboard Brilliant for a hands-on, full-participation sailing experience aboard a classic yacht. Learn to sail or expand your existing skills on a 74-foot schooner while cruising local waters and visiting scenic anchorages and towns. You’ll become part of the crew as you raise sails, haul on lines, steer, help in the galley, and learn traditional seamanship.
Common ports of call may include Block Island, Rhode Island, and Shelter Island, New York. The nightly anchorages are weather dependent and at the Captain’s discretion. When space and weather permit, Brilliant will lay to a dock permitting shore leave for the crew. While Brilliant has modern safety and navigation equipment, her accommodations are true to her original construction providing open sleeping quarters and traditional heads.
We offer a variety of programs to suit your needs.
The day sails are geared toward novice sailors, while the multi-day trips are a great opportunity for the more adventurous participants to try overnight experience in protected waters. The coastal passages are for the more physically fit, experienced sailors with great attitudes.
Participants must be physically fit and agile as well as competent swimmers to take part in the sailing program. Once you reserve a berth aboard Brilliant, you will be sent a health form and handbook outlining what to bring, arrival information, as well as many other details. Participants must be at least 16 years old to sail on one-day trips and at least 18 years old to sail on multi-day trips.
Once you reserve a berth aboard Brilliant, you will be sent a health form and the Brilliant Adult Guest Crew Handbook outlining what to bring, arrival information, as well as many other details. No previous sailing experience is necessary.
On all programs, participants be physically fit and agile, and be competent swimmers to take part in the sailing program. On overnight trips, all meals are provided while aboard.
Interested in chartering Brilliant for your school or family group? Email sarah.clement@mysticseaport.org to create your own unique and safe experience.
Full payment must accompany your registration. Mystic Seaport reserves the right to cancel the program in case of bad weather, mechanical problems or other unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, your payment will be returned. If you cancel 30 days prior to sailing time, your payment, less a 25% administrative fee, will be returned. No refund will be given if you cancel within 30 days of sailing time. Cancellations and requests for refunds must be in writing. Please send to: Central Reservations, Mystic Seaport/ PO Box 6000 / Mystic, CT 06355-0990, or reservations@mysticseaport.org.
BRILLIANT crew post updates on the schooner’s travels and location throughout the sailing season.
75 Greenmanville Ave
Mystic, CT 06355
860-572-0711
info@mysticseaport.org
Copyright © 2021 Mystic Seaport Museum
75 Greenmanville Ave
Mystic, CT 06355
860-572-0711
