Mellow September sailing & sea dips

IDEAL VOYAGE

A voyage for those who want to stay healthy, maximise their time outdoors and learn new ways of exercising the chilling out, whilst living on an incredible wooden boat. You don’t need to be a sailor, no activity is compulsory, and all meals are freshly prepared on board Tallulah. Sailing a traditional boat is a satisfying physical activity anyway and the skipper will show you how to pull blocks and tackles effectively.

Skipper Debbie is a competitive gig rower, has practiced yoga for years (imperfectly), taught most watersports and likes to swim in the sea all year round. If you want tips on open water swimming, local knowledge on some running circuits at each anchorage or a local guide to simply take you to the sort of beach where you can do yoga without tourist stares, then she has the answers. In addition Debbie will be inviting a wellbeing or fitness coach to meet up with us on one of the days for a more specialist session.

Guest coach to be announced.

VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS

• The rugged South Cornwall Coast as our Blue Gym
• Freshly cooked food and accommodation all onboard.
• Comfortable berths with heating, shower & oil lamps
• 2 stand up paddleboards on board to try
• 15ft rowing boat with gig oars and pair of smaller oars
• Leave your car behind – Explore by wind & muscle power
• yoga, swim if you dare, or morning stretches at anchor
• We teach you to sail too

FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

Sail, Row, Swim, Stretch, Sleep

A sailing and multi activity holiday with an emphasis on fitness and healthy living. Live aboard 44ft Tallulah with a skipper and visiting fitness or well being coach. The big wide decks in a secluded Cornish anchorage are perfect for a spot of morning yoga or stretching after a swim. Sailing this traditionally rigged pilot cutter always offers the physical but satisfying effort of hoisting sails by block and tackle, but there are plenty of other related watersports activities that you can do whilst on board. This voyage actively seeks physical activity and creates space to breathe, sleep and feel rejuvenated.

Once at anchor there is a rowing boat with big 13ft oars. Tallulah’s skipper is a competitive gig boat rower so you can step up the pace with 2 rowers or go gently exploring. There are stand up paddleboards to try and the South Cornish waters are incredibly clear if you want to swim or snorkle. For runners and walkers the South West Coast Path is available at almost every coastal anchorage. Debbie enjoys swimming in the sea all year round so has plenty of wild swimming tips

This is not a shouty bootcamp. Its a skipper who wants to stay fit whilst at work, and hopes we can all mutually encourage each other to make the best of our surroundings to keep fit physically and mentally. You are welcome to bring wine or beer to enjoy with evening meals but we will be encouraging you to try soft drinks, virgin mohitos and fruity cocktails too, and there will always be a big choice of hot drinks. 

On a sailing voyage we never use the word itinerary, as skippers will always be aiming for the best sailing and shore landings for the forecast and most idyllic or sheltered anchors and ports. They are as keen as you to include some of the highlights described below, but you have to go with mother nature, not fight her. The description below is based on what we think might be possible, based on past trips, or experience, but nothing is guaranteed on a sailing voyage.

Wild Swimming

Swimming from Tallulah in a beautiful anchorage is often a big part of the fun on our sailing activity holidays

The availability of Wild Swimming from Tallulah is at the skippers discretion. Supervision is provided from Tallulah and her dinghies. All our skippers are qualified with First Aid at Sea but not all are lifesaving guards.

 

Tallulah – voyages that tread lightly on the planet

Tallulah is a well proven classic yacht, well set up for sailing, but new to the charter world. Owner and skipper Debbie Purser has many ideas on how to make her the best low carbon way to explore Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Based on 23 years of creating innovative voyages on our previous vessel Eve of St Mawes, Tallulah takes over the mantle of flagship for Classic Sailing and gives the company a vessel to shape sailing holidays that fit this strange new world we live in.

The voyages we aim to create are a modern twist on everything that the Classic Sailing ethos represents. Hands On sailing, responsible green travel, promoting marine wildlife and the good company of adventurous individuals. Whilst foreign travel is compramised by the pandemic and climate change concerns, Debbie aims to show you treasures on your doorstep.

This particular voyage is aimed at those who want to stay fit and healthy or start the ball rolling with a more active way of life. The crew will create interesting soft drinks, and mocktails with evening meals – instead of the wine temptation thing. If you prefer a refreshing Cornish break on Tallulah with glasses of wine, beer or cider then we have plenty of equally memorable voyages where we do toast the sunset.

 

What to Expect on your Boaty Bootcamp

Leaving from St Mawes

Tallulah has a mooring across St Mawes Bay – so your first challenge is to meet Debbie on the Quay and row yourselves and bags out to your floating fitness camp.

With a maximum of 6 on board we can find out everyone’s aims and expectations, whether it is to turn a swimming pool triathlete into an open water swimming fan, or simply sail away from a frenetic world for a few days and recalibrate how you want to live your life in future. Skipper Debbie is in her mid fifties but St Mawes is full of residents who keep very fit and live an outdoor life to the full. There is an active social sea swimming scene here, gig rowers from 14 to 70 who train to race, and many trail runners. Nothing you do this week will be considered weird by the locals.

 

HANDS ON HOLIDAYS

Whether you are an experienced sailor or a complete beginner, the professional crew will train you to be guest crew from the moment you arrive, with the intention that everybody works together to sail the ship. The common thread to all Classic Sailing holidays is ‘Hands on’ participation on ships that use ropes, blocks and tackles and ‘people power’ to set sail.

SAILING STYLE & LIFE ON BOARD

We cater for a wide range of ages and physical abilities, and how much you are expected to do varies a bit between vessels. See the vessel tab above which explains all about the ‘sailing style’ and what to expect in terms of hands on participation.  There is a lot of information about day to day life, the ships facilities and accommodation on the vessel pages.

AGILITY & FITNESS

Every customer sailing with us will need to fill in basic medical questions on their booking application.  If you are not sure if your current level of fitness and agility are up to a voyage, then please ring the Classic Sailing Office and we can chat through your concerns and possibly find options that might suit you better. 

What to pack for a sailing holiday on Tallulah

Included

• Sailing Instruction
• Safety Equipment (Life jackets and harnesses)
• All meals on board & refreshments throughout the day
• Bed linen, duvet, pillows
• wooden rowing boat activities
• 2 x Stand Up Paddleboards & bouyancy jackets (on summer voyages)

What is not included

• towels
• Alcoholic beverages
• Towels
• wellie boots
• waterproof jackets & trousers 

What to Bring

Please limit yourself to one soft bag or rucksack as there is limited storage space on board. No suitcases please!

Tallulah does not have waterproof jacket and trousers yet, so please bring a properly waterproof jacket and trousers on all voyages.

Walking and cycling waterproofs are usually adequate and much lighter to pack, so there really is no need to buy a coastal sailing jacket (unless you really want an excuse to invest in your future sailing). If you need any advice, or lack of a jacket is preventing you participating, please ring us on 01326 53 1234

• Proof of Covid 19 vaccination dates & status (See our terms & conditions: Basically to be safe for all guests and crew in a confined space we ask that you keep your covid vaccination status up to date with appropriate boosters. All crew and volunteers will be expected to be vaccinated too).
• warm, windproof jacket for days when you don't want to wear a waterproof jacket
• Hats for sun and cold weather.
• At least two sets of warm clothes - layers e.g. tracksuit bottoms, shirts, fleece jacket, wool jumpers, thick socks, and neck scarf. It can get cold at sea even in mid summer.
• Swim suit, towel, and suntan lotion.
• we have space if you want to bring a wetsuit for wild swimming or SUP adventures
• Flat shoes with a good grip e.g. trainers or sailing deck shoes.
• Sailing boots or wellies as the sea can come over deck if rough*.
• (An alternative to boots in summer is to bring another pair of flat shoes with a good grip in case the first pair get wet).
• All terrain type sandals are great for dinghy trips ashore – but you do need shoes which protect your toes for sailing.
• Scillies trips – Walking boots are useful and can be these can be worn on deck too
• A small rucksack is useful for going ashore
• Camera, binoculars, sketchbook, a relaxing read.
• Passport for European or Ireland Voyages, Reciprocal Free Health Care card in Europe.
• Please bring a passport on French trips
• Any medication, spare spectacles. Seasick tablets - check with your Doctor, which brand if you suffer asthma or are on medication.
• RYA Cruising Logbook or similar if you want to log your sailing experience e.g. sea miles, night hours
• Musical instruments are always welcome.

Alcohol

Tallulah does not always have wine bottles for sale on board so you are welcome to bring modest quantities of alcohol, (unless it is an alcohol free voyage) e.g. to drink with evening meals, but drinking whilst sailing is not allowed.

 

 

Fantastic experience where we were given expert help and advice by Debbie and crew. I never thought we would tack Talulah into Falmouth harbour but we did, what a fun experience and soooo enjoyable. Highly recommended and will be booking up again soon, thank you

Howard - July 2023

This was the first time I had sailed, and although I suffered from seasickness a couple of times, the experience was something that I could not have even imagined. The crew were all very helpful to a "newbie" and would think of another sailing trip, but perhaps in calmer waters .

Anonymous happy customer - July 2023

Fantastic day! The skipper (Debbie) kept it interesting by rotating crew and still maintaining full control! Amazing

James - July 2023

Debbie is great, she has a great passion for sailing and is very knowledgeable about boat building too! Anthony was extremely helpful, they make a great team and they made us feel very comfortable on board. Understandably, there is limited space and privacy but I slept really well which I really did not expect! Would love to sail again with Debbie and Tallulah.

Caroline Spring 2023

Thanks for looking after us very well. Good to be in safe, sure and pleasant hands...It was a nice experience I've wanted to try for a long time. Thanks for making it a good one...I love what you're doing and your courage and I wish you great success.

Diane

Great to sail on another class of sailing vessel with an experienced skipper and mate. I enjoyed the sailing a lot. The crew were very helpful and the food was very good.

Peter

Sailing on Tallulah

Both Debbie and Jess were excellent. Both were good at explaining things and very patient. I have also been out on Moosk and Agnes. Going out on Tallulah with Debbie and Jess was by far the best experience.

Alasdair, Spring 2023

Photos and images of the striking 44ft pilot cutter Tallulah, offering charter voyages for individuals, couples and groups from 2022.  Based in St Mawes, Cornwall. No experience is necessary and a local skipper as your guide.