Buy a Gorran Haven Crabber & Go Wild Camping
Classic Sailing co-founder Debbie Purser is offering her TWO stunning spritsail yawls for Sale.
17ft ‘Outdoor Girl’ and 16ft ‘Wild Boy’
These recent wooden replicas are based on the lines of the seaworthy inshore fishing boats that were built in Gorran Haven, Cornwall in the 1880’s. Both boats are currently kept on a beach outhaul on the Percuil River in St Mawes – all year round. A new owner could continue this option at Freshwater Boatyard – in a sheltered river location with access to an incredible sailing ground for this type of boat. Annual mooring rental is under £200. They can also be road trailered to new sailing grounds, event or small boat raids. A 24ft trailer is also potentially for sale (5 years old) for a separate price.
Sale announced 01/07/26
Well equipped for Wild Camping, Small Boat Raids
Outdoor Girl (tan sails – see photo above) was built in 2008 by Peter Williams of Bodinnick Boatyard in Fowey. Guide Price £4800
She has been a commercial charter vessel – offering wild camping expeditions. Debbie ran 2 and 3 night mini expeditions with customers just after the pandemic, and it was a great way to get close to nature and explore the creeks and coast under sail and oar without fossil fuels. A boom tent can be rigged easily and the middle seat is removable, giving plenty of floorboard place for 2 people to sleep. A steel lined galley box allows cooking on board. recent restoration by boat builder Andrew Whatty.
Wild Boy is slightly smaller at 16ft 6″ Built by Debbie and fellow students on the 40 week professional boat building course at the Boat Building Academy in 2021. Planks are slow growing Siberian Larch on oak and sapele with copper nails and bronze fittings. Materials alone cost over £8000 to build Wild Boy. Guide Price £5000
This pea green boat with its cream sails is close to Debbie’s heart, but there is a limit to the amount of wooden boats a single person can look after, so we are keen for this little beauty to go to a good home.
Why Are these Boats for Sale?
In an ideal world I would like to keep them both, but I really need to sell at least one. My full time job is running pilot cutter Tallulah. With a full 7 month charter season, and I am finding increasingly difficult to justify the time to sail and look after two small boats as well. I have set up a sailing community called Sail Row Explore Club in 2026 where the membership aims to help towards keeping these boats looking good, and subsidise the cost of attending events, but it is early days yet and I don’t know if that ambition will succeed. You can see the type of events members can get involved in on the website link below, but without sufficient membership levels it will be hard to cover the insurance costs of running a club with public liability cover. Debbie Purser
Sail Row Explore Club
The most straightforward and affordable way for these boats to provide fun and adventure is as privately owned vessels, with owners and their families able to enjoy the freedom to go off exploring without the rules and public use insurance costs that come with sailing clubs and licenced boats.
Outdoor Girl Sale Specification
, Polruan
Builder – Peter Williams Boat builder, Bodinnick Boatyard, Polruan
Year Built 2008
Designer – historic replica of 1882 Gorran Haven spritsail yawl ‘Ellen’ – designed and built by Dick Pill of Gorran Haven, Cornwall for coastal crab fishing.
LOD 17ft (5.23m)
Length with bumkin spar – 22ft
Beam 1.84m
Draft 0.6m at stern
Weight 700kg with all spars, sails and internal ballast
LOCATION
St Mawes, Cornwall (on a beach outhaul so can be trial sailed and hull inspected without craning). Owner lives in St Mawes so viewing can be arranged easily.
PRICE
£4800 or near offer
CONSTRUCTION
Carvel construction – larch on steamed oak frames. All fastenings copper nails and roves.
Hardwood keel, stem, thwarts and sternpost
A long keeled boat with beaching legs that is robust enough to keep on a beach outhaul. Her historic predecessors would have been kept on the shore all year round – ready to go fishing.
Her draft at the bow is no more than a rowing dinghy, so you can sail her right up to the beach to drop crew ashore. Her long keel is 60cm at the stern.
She will also happily dry out on the shore on her side (thicker bilge planks) without fitting the legs.
RECENT RENOVATION
Some cracked frames sistered with new steamed oak frames 2024
Transom and quarter knees replaced in oak in January 2025 by shipwright Andrew Whatty.
New longitudinal stringers in oak – replaced in 2025 with an improved design to provide a clearance gap between stringer and hull (it had caused some above water planking to rot behind the original stringer). Planking on both sides behind stringer replaced by shipwright Andrew Watty in 2025.
RIG
All galvanised wire standing rigging replaced in 2021
5 spars – regularly stripped and varnished
Keel stepped mainmast – solid Douglas fir mast, secured with a bronze gate, inset into 1 inch mast thwart. The mast can be raised and lowered by 1 person.
Easily removable mizzen mast. Douglas fir spar that slots into a hole in the transom bench. Mast and sail can be removed and stowed in seconds.
Removable bumpkin for Mizzen spritsail sheet. Fits in square hole in the transom
16ft Mainsail sprit
Shorter mizzen sprit
Spare mizzen sprit
3 sails in tan clipper canvas, traditionally made. Mainsail, Mizzen and jib with bronze hanks
Modern jib sheet jamming cleats on swivels
All running rigging is 3 strand polyester in buff – replaced new in 2020
Wide beam, no centreboard. 200kg of removable lead ballast in 25kg ingots
Capable of carrying large loads like camping equipment below the sole boards
Can be sailed by one person, or can keep 3-4 people occupied.
MACHINERY
No engine but includes a pair of long oars and could take 2 pairs of oars with thole pins forward of the mast and aft.
Tiller has primitive self steering to assist solo sailors in setting and handing sail
A long shaft torqeedo electric outboard has been used as an engine in the past (bolted onto transom bench). Not included in the sale.
ACCOMMODATION
This is an open decked boat with no cuddy or half deck, but the beauty of a sprit yawl rig is you have a 16ft pole as a tent ridge pole between the 2 masts.
The central thwart seat is removable so you have 6ft of flat sole board space for 2-3 people to sleep under a boom tent.
There is a 2/3 boat length camping boom tent in light white cotton canvas that wraps around and beyond the mast, leaving only the bow area without a cover
Outdoor Girl also comes with a full sized – heavier duty boat cover that protects the boat when the boat is afloat on a beach outhaul with the mast still rigged. side flaps to the waterline protect the hull planking from the sun.
EQUIPMENT INCLUDED
- Boom tent
- Full boat cover that can be fitted whilst the boat is rigged with masts up.
- Large fishermans anchor plus chain and warp
- Danforth stern anchor plus chain and warp
- Stainless steel lined galley box for camping stove
- Warps and fenders
- Beaching legs
- Whale gusher bilge pump
- Belaying pins for halliards
EXTRAS
Outdoor Girl fits on a purpose made 24ft single axle braked trailer (Lizard Trailers – built 2021), which could be purchased separately. Price on request. The combined tow weight of trailer and 700kg boat is well under most 4WD car specs. I tow her with a 2.3L Toyota RAV4
Outdoor Girl currently has very cheap beach mooring at Freshwater Boatyard, St Mawes with instant access to Percuil River and Falmouth Harbour. Rental costs are currently under £200 a year for an incredible sailing ground.
The boat has been safely kept there for 12 months a year, coming out the water only for annual maintenance. If you wish to keep a great vessel in commission, with a full boat cover, then you have miles of creek and coastline to explore on your doorstep.
For mileage costs the current owner can also deliver the boat to your preferred location, if you do not wish to buy the trailer.
GALLERY OF PHOTOS
HOW TO VIEW/ ENQUIRE
To arrange a viewing (at low tide you can inspect the hull as the boat will be dry on the beach in St Mawes)
Contact:
Debbie Purser, St Mawes, Cornwall
07717 341832
There is no charge to arrange a viewing only.
To arrange a sail there would be a refundable deposit of £100 as it takes time to rig the boat with sails and make the boat available on a pontoon where you can step aboard and go sailing. A trial sail depends on Adam or Debbie Purser being available to sail with you, but we live in St Mawes. If you purchase the boat the deposit will be refunded.
DISCLAIMER
Both these boats are on the beach and float at high water, so you can see they are watertight and seaworthy. It is not possible to have them showroom perfect whilst they are working boats kept in the water/on the beach, but we believe it always better to keep wooden boats in sea water and well protected from the sun when not in use.
As with all boat sales you are recommended to have a professional survey or seek professional advice before purchase.
If the purchaser makes an offer unseen, the boat can be reserved. The purchaser has 14 days to arrange to view or survey the boat or the reservation will lapse.
The boat will be insured by the current owners until it has been purchased and ownership handed over. Delivery by road can be arranged.
A sales contract can be supplied in English, or an alternative language on request.
The vessel is sold under exclusion of liability for material defects. This exclusion does not apply to claims for damages arising from liability for material defects that are based on a grossly negligent or intentional breach of duties on the part of the seller as well as injury to life, limb and health.
Any remaining claims against third parties arising from liability for material defects are to be assigned to the purchaser.
The seller confrms that she/he is the sole owner of the craft and that the craft is not subject to the rights of any third parties. Following full payment and/or the handover of the ship, the seller shall provide the buyer with all relevant papers and instructions relating to the boat (where available).
Wild Boy – Sale Specification
Builder – The Boat Building Academy under the supervision of boat builder and tutor Mike Broome.
Full line drawings and construction drawing are available. The current owner Debbie Purser commissioned the build and has full details of the build costs and materials, as well as photos of the build stages during the 40 week professional boat building course at Lyme Regis.
Year Built 2021
Designer – historic replica – built to the design lines of a 1882 Gorran Haven spritsail yawl called ‘Cuckoo’ – designed and built by Dick Pill of Gorran Haven, Cornwall for coastal crab fishing. (Source -see Inshore Craft book by Basil Greenhill – former director of Greenwich National Maritime Museum)
LOD 16ft 5 inch (5m)
Overall Length with bumkin spar – 22ft (6.7m)
Beam 6ft (1.82m)
Draft 0.35m at stern
Weight estimate 520kg with all spars, sails and internal ballast
LOCATION
St Mawes, Cornwall (on a beach outhaul so can be trial sailed and hull inspected without craning). Owner lives in St Mawes so viewing can be arranged easily.
PRICE
£5000 or near offer
CONSTRUCTION
Carvel construction – slow growing Siberian Larch on steamed oak frames. All fastenings copper nails and roves.
Hardwood keel, stem, thwarts and sternpost
A long keeled boat with beaching legs that is robust enough to keep on a beach outhaul. Her historic predecessors would have been kept on the shore all year round – ready to go fishing.
Her draft at the bow is no more than a rowing dinghy, so you can sail her right up to the beach to drop crew ashore.
She will also happily dry out on the shore on her side bilge without fitting the legs.
RECENT DESIGN
The steamed oak ribs specified by the college tutors were smaller dimension than her sister vessels Outdoor Girl and original crabber Ellen. Extra ribs with a wider profile have been steamed and copper rivetted to the planks in the middle section of the boat to give the hull more strength in 2025. The new copper nails have been wood plugged.
RIG
Stainless steel standing rigging to bronze chain plates and stem fittings – NEW in 2021.
5 spars – regularly stripped and varnished (solid Douglas fir)
Keel stepped mainmast – solid Douglas fir mast, secured with a bronze gate, inset into 1 inch mast thwart. The mast can be raised and lowered by 1 person.
Easily removable mizzen mast. Douglas fir spar that slots into a hole in the transom bench. Mast and sail can be removed and stowed in seconds.
Removable bumpkin for Mizzen spritsail sheet. Fits in square hole in the transom
16ft Mainsail sprit
Shorter mizzen sprit
3 sails in cream clipper canvas, traditionally made. Mainsail (84 sq ft), Mizzen (20 sq ft) and jib with bronze hanks (34 sq ft)
Modern jib sheet jamming cleats on swivels
All running rigging is 3 strand polyester in buff –new in 2021
Wide beam, no centreboard. internal ballast ingots, well secured but can be removed easily.
Capable of carrying large loads like camping equipment below the sole boards
Can be sailed by one person, or keep 3-4 people occupied.
MACHINERY
No engine but includes a pair of long oars and thole pins.
Tiller has primitive self steering to assist solo sailors in setting and handing sail
A long shaft torqeedo electric outboard has been used as an engine in the past (bolted onto transom bench). Not included in the sale.
ACCOMMODATION
This is an open decked boat with no cuddy or half deck, but the beauty of a sprit yawl rig is you have a 16ft pole as a tent ridge pole between the 2 masts.
The central thwart seat is removable so you have 6ft of flat sole board space for 2 people to sleep under a boom tent.
Wild Boy also comes with a full sized –waterproof boat cover that protects the boat when the boat is afloat on a beach outhaul with the mast still rigged. side flaps to the waterline protect the hull planking from the sun. This is in white material so makes a great boom tent for camping with sitting headroom, plenty of light and full rain protection.
EQUIPMENT INCLUDED
Full boat cover / boom tent that can be fitted whilst the boat is in the water, rigged with masts up.
Large fishermans anchor plus chain and warp
Warps and fenders
Beaching legs
Whale gusher bilge pump
Belaying pins for halliards
Pair of wooden 11ft oars
EXTRAS
Outdoor Girl or Wild Boy fit on a purpose made 24ft single axle braked trailer (Lizard Trailers – built 2021), which could be purchased separately. Price on request. The combined tow weight of trailer and boat is well under most 4WD car specs. I tow her with a 2.3L Toyota RAV4
Wild Boy currently rents a very cheap beach mooring at Freshwater Boatyard, St Mawes with instant access to Percuil River and Falmouth Harbour. The boat has been safely kept there for 12 months a year, coming out the water only for annual maintenance. If you wish to keep a great vessel in commission, with a full boat cover, then you have miles of creek and coastline to explore on your doorstep. Rental costs are currently under £200 a year for an incredible sailing ground.
For mileage costs the current owner can also deliver the boat to your preferred location, if you do not wish to buy the trailer.
HOW TO VIEW/ ENQUIRE
To arrange a viewing (at low tide you can inspect the hull as the boat will be dry on the beach in St Mawes)
Contact:
Debbie Purser, St Mawes, Cornwall
07717 341832
There is no charge to arrange a viewing only.
To arrange a sail there would be a refundable deposit of £100 as it takes time to rig the boat with sails and make the boat available on a pontoon where you can step aboard and go sailing. A trial sail depends on Adam or Debbie Purser being available to sail with you, but we live in St Mawes. If you purchase the boat the deposit will be refunded.
DISCLAIMER
Both these boats are on the beach and float at high water, so you can see they are watertight and seaworthy. It is not possible to have them showroom perfect whilst they are working boats kept in the water/on the beach, but we believe it always better to keep wooden boats in sea water and well protected from the sun when not in use.
As with all boat sales you are recommended to have a professional survey or seek professional advice before purchase.
If the purchaser makes an offer unseen, the boat can be reserved. The purchaser has 14 days to arrange to view or survey the boat or the reservation will lapse.
The boat will be insured by the current owners until it has been purchased and ownership handed over. Delivery by road can be arranged.
A sales contract can be supplied in English, or an alternative language on request.
The vessel is sold under exclusion of liability for material defects. This exclusion does not apply to claims for damages arising from liability for material defects that are based on a grossly negligent or intentional breach of duties on the part of the seller as well as injury to life, limb and health.
Any remaining claims against third parties arising from liability for material defects are to be assigned to the purchaser.
The seller confrms that she/he is the sole owner of the craft and that the craft is not subject to the rights of any third parties. Following full payment and/or the handover of the ship, the seller shall provide the buyer with all relevant papers and instructions relating to the boat (where available).
