bunn

I just randomly stumbled across the existence of the gaff-topsail schooner J.R. Tolkien  and the three masted schooner Loth Loriën

A little odd that the Loth Loriën, although pretty enough in her way, is nothing like as stunning a little ship as the  J.R. Tolkien, which I think just has THE most gorgeous lines.  Wow.

ETA Apparently the JR Tolkien was built in 1964 as a diesel electric tug called Dierkow, and it was only in 1995 that she was renamed and given sails. Can only applaud the transformation. http://www.classic-sailing.co.uk/vessels/j-r-tolkien

Does anyone have any idea how long it would take to sail from the Solent to Thanet?  I do not mind about the tides, can adjust them to whatever is handy.  It's summer time, and there is a fair bit of wind. 

The ship would be a smallish one, and I am assuming for the moment that the sailors are in something of a hurry, and therefore may employ both sail and oars at least to get offshort in a hurry.     Oh yes, and they are Saxons. :-D

I am assuming that Saxon ships did have sails, because I think the argument they didn't is more than a bit weak, although I'm guessing very likely they would be restricted in their ability to tack or sail close to the wind.

( I have been meaning to carve a Saxon dragon-ship figurehead for approximately 20 years now, and I still have not done it. Maybe one day...)