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The ship
and its history

A unique ship born from a wild dream

Unique in many ways

Atyla is a one-of-a-kind ship for many reasons

The story of the ship’s construction. The materials used to build it. The history from that moment until today. The fact that the ship is still owned by the same family. The innovative current project… 

Ship’s specifications

Atyla Ship Sailing Fisheye Lens Perspective
    • Hull and rigging made of wood (Iroko, Oak, Scots pine…)
    • 31m long, 7m wide, 3m deep, 25m high
    • 9 sails (two of them black), a total surface of more than 400m2
    • Safety, navigational and medical equipment for oceanic trips
    • Qualified and experienced professional crew
    • 4 group cabins with a total capacity of 24 people for oceanic trips
    • 5 bathrooms (3 of them with shower)
    • Electric heating and hot water
    • Fresh drinking water from the taps
    • Fully equipped kitchen
    • Electric plugs throughout the ship (220V, European type)
    • 4 group cabins with a total capacity of 24 people for oceanic trips
    • 5 bathrooms (3 of them with shower)
    • Electric heating and hot water
    • Fresh drinking water from the taps
    • Fully equipped kitchen
    • Electric plugs throughout the ship (220V, European type)
    Music Event On A Ship Live Playing Aboard Boat Tallship Atyla Violin Guitar Harp Shanties
    • Deck capacity of 80 people for events & day trips
    • Deck lighting
    • Outdoors sound system with microphones
    • Awnings to cover in case of rain
    • Bar with a chest fridge

    Latest renovations and improvements

    New engine installed in 2016
    Foretop mast and yards renovated and improved in 2017
    New sails purchased in 2017
    Diesel tanks renovated and improved in 2017
    New bunks and lockers added in 2018
    Electric installation, wiring, control panel and systems renovated in 2018
    Kitchen completely renovated in 2019
    Main topmast renovated in 2019
    Deck completely recaulked in 2019-20
    Freshwater tanks renovated in 2020
    Reading lights & power sockets installed in every bunk in 2021
    New fridges and new freezer chest in 2021
    One new inox diesel tank in 2022
    Complete renovation of bathrooms in 2022 & 2023
    Improvements and sound isolation of the generator in 2023
    Grey and black water tanks renovated in 2023
    Water pumps renovated in 2023
    Lockers at midships renovated in 2023
    Topsail yard renovated in 2023
    Saloon sofas renovated in 2023
    Automatic lights installed in then kitchen’s fridge, the cleaning closet and the saloon toilet 2023

    The story of a dream

    1970s

    The idea

    Esteban Vicente Jiménez (Soria, Spain, 1953) was a professional canoeist with an ambitious dream: Building a big wooden ship robust enough to sail around the world.

    Despite the lack of money and living 250 km away from the nearest coast, in 1979 Esteban began to design Atyla following traditional shipwright standards. A few months and hundreds of sketches later, his original design received approval from the naval architect PhD. Franciso Lasa Etxarri.

    Esteban Vicente Atyla Ship Drawings Measurement Naval Traditional Shipbuilding Shipwright 1979
    Esteban Vicente Atyla Ship Drawings Measurement Naval Traditional Shipbuilding Shipwright 1979

    1970s

    The idea

    Esteban Vicente Jiménez (Soria, Spain, 1953) was a professional canoeist with an ambitious dream: Building a big wooden ship robust enough to sail around the world.

    Despite the lack of money and living 250 km away from the nearest coast, in 1979 Esteban began to design Atyla following traditional shipwright standards. A few months and hundreds of sketches later, his original design received approval from the naval architect PhD. Franciso Lasa Etxarri.

    1980s

    Construction & Launching

    Esteban gathered a group of friends and volunteers to start building the vessel in the small town of Vinuesa (Soria). They started carving the interior pieces using wood from surrounding forests.

    In 1982 the wooden pieces were brought to the coastal town of Lekeitio (Vizcaya), where they were going to build the hull and assemble everything together.

     By 1983, Esteban and his friends already had a plan for the ship: Circumnavigating the world following the Magellan-Elcano route and then, after the trip, using the vessel as a training ship. The idea was so impressive that in 1984 he received the Honourable Mention of the Rolex Awards for Enterprise.

    Atyla was finally launched on May 15, 1984. The entire town of Lekeitio participated and media from all around the country talked about it.

    Unfortunately, right after the launching, the sponsor of the circumnavigation pulled out, and this plan never became a reality. Esteban and his friends had to find a new plan and a source of funding.

    In 1986 they set sail for the Caribbean to raise money by renting out the ship for tourist sailing trips. But the odds were against the troop and the ship was completely looted before crossing the Atlantic.

    1990s

    In the Canary Islands

    Whilst moored in Lanzarote (Canary Islands) recovering from the robbery, the crew saw the potential of the tourism in that area.

    They ended up staying in the port of Playa Blanca for 19 years leading a successful day-sailing-trip business.

    Atyla Marea Errota Ship 1994 Lanzarote Sailing White Hull
    Atyla Marea Errota Ship 1994 Lanzarote Sailing White Hull

    1990s

    In the Canary Islands

    Whilst moored in Lanzarote (Canary Islands) recovering from the robbery, the crew saw the potential of tourism in that area.

    They ended up staying in the port of Playa Blanca for 19 years leading a successful day-sailing-trip business.

    2000s

    Representing Cantabria

    In 2005 the Government of Cantabria hired Atyla to represent the region. She was brought to Santander, where for six years she was used for all kinds of activities (sail training, day trips with schoolchildren and environmental awareness trips).

    Once the contract with the Government of Cantabria ended, Esteban was almost 60 years old, and his nephew Rodrigo de la Serna Vicente (Madrid, 1989) decided to take over the Atyla to keep her sailing. In June 2013 they both moved the ship to the Mediterranean Sea.

    At the end of that summer, Atyla took part in the Mediterranean Tall Ships Regatta 2013 organized by Sail Training International (STI). That event reminded young Captain Rodrigo of his uncle’s goal 30 years before and he decided to dedicate the ship to training activities.

    Atyla_ship_Goleta_Cantabria_Infinita_2010_Santander_Laredo_barco

    Present Day

    International adventures

    In 2014, Atyla started offering adventure sailing trips where anyone could participate in the tasks on board.

    Since then, the ship annually does an average of 22 trips, sails an average of 8500 nautical miles in 8 different countries and welcomes hundreds of participants from all around the world.

    Also every year, the ship participates in an average of 9 maritime festivals, is seen by more than 1 million people and welcomes on board more than 50,000 visitors.

    In 2016, Rodrigo started creating the charity “Atyla Ship Foundation”.

    In 2017 Atyla crossed the Atlantic for the first time and visited 5 maritime festivals in Bermuda, USA & Canada.

    In these festivals, Atyla has been the ship, worldwide, that has won the “award to the most international crew” most often in the last years.

    We are sure that one day we’ll finally complete Esteban’s dream, and we’ll circumnavigate the earth promoting life skills and sharing our passion for adventure.

    Present Day

    International adventures

    In 2014, Atyla started offering adventure sailing trips where anyone could participate in the tasks on board.

    Since then, the ship does every year an average of 22 trips, sailing 8500 nautical miles in 8 different countries and welcoming hundreds of participants from all around the world.

    In 2016, Rodrigo started creating the charity “Atyla Ship Foundation”.

    In 2017 Atyla crossed the Atlantic for the first time and visited 5 maritime festivals in Bermuda, USA & Canada.

    Every year, the ship participates in an average of 9 maritime festivals, is seen by more than 1 million people and welcomes on board more than 50,000 visitors.

    In these festivals, Atyla has been the ship, worldwide, that has won the “award to the most international crew” most often in the last years.

    We are sure that one day we’ll finally complete Esteban’s dream, and we’ll circumnavigate the earth promoting life skills and sharing our passion for adventure.

    See the book of the building process (in Spanish)

    Sail on this amazing ship
    Check out our list of trips
    Discover the program on board
    Training 8 skills that can change your life