| Embark | Disembark | Vessel | Duration | Voyage No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 04-04-2025, 15:00Falmouth, Cornwall | Mon 07-04-2025, 10:00St Mawes, Cornwall | Tallulah | 3 Nights | TH040425 |
Come and join us on Tallulah as we launch her from winter refit yard, bend on sails and test everything out.
This is principally a staff training voyage and reward for those volunteers who have helped with the refit. We aim to let our hair down, shake out the refit sawdust, make sure everything is shipshape and go for a damn good sail.
We are making room for up to 3 customers or potential new volunteers on board to join the regular crew. The sailing part of these few days is test the best way to run the boat in an exciting but safe way, and sort out any issues before the season starts properly. The social part of the voyage is to have an open discussion about future employment, volunteering and how to deliver good experiences for the guest crew.
This is an important few days for Tallulah 2025 mates and skippers to sail together, but there are also 3 places for experienced sailors – at reduced cost, who are keen to help get Tallulah up and running again after refit ashore. This voyage starts in Falmouth boatyard, as Tallulah is craned back into the sea. A certain amount of adaptability is needed as a wooden boat hull needs to ‘take up’, and a long list of things need to be tested by simply going sailing, now she is back in her natural element.
| Vessel type / Rig | gaff cutter |
| Guest Berths | 6 |
| Beam | 13.5ft |
| Draft | 7ft 5 |
| Deck Length | 44ft |
| Overall Length | 59ft |
| Tonnage | 22 tons |
| Year Built | 2008 |
If you are already a fan of pilot cutters built by Luke Powell then you know they make great charter boats. Tallulah is the same size as Amelie Rose and 2ft shorter than Agnes. This is a shakedown trip in march, after a winter refit out of the water. You need to be fairly hardy for this experimental voyage, although there is a stove and radiators on board. This is an ideal voyage for keen sailors, future volunteers or mates and anyone who happy to test out sailing proceedures, safety drills, re unite Tallulah with her 15ft rowing tender and make sure Tallulah is looking her best for the early Easter voyages.
Tallulah is 59ft overall with her bowsprit and her designer and builder Luke Powell is still convinced her hull shape and lighter construction makes her the fastest pilot cutter he has built. We have yet to prove that pedigree as Tallulah has only been lightly used as a private yacht since her launch on 2008.
Come to South Cornwall and help us start a new chapter in the life of this stunning looking gaff cutter.
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.
Tallulah continues to carve her niche in the charter world. The first 2 seasons have proven she is a bit of a racehorse, not keen on sailing slowly, and capable of keeping the whole crew awake and on their toes when the wind blows strong.
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.
There have been a lot of changes to Tallulah since Debbie bought her in 2021. New mast, new running rigging, changes to anchoring systems, more bunks installed, cooker changing from paraffin to gas, electronics updated and an emphasis on self sufficient expedition like sailing, rather than the marina hopping she was used for by previous owners.
The improvements are ongoing, and the range of different voyage themes increasing.
Tallulah has a powerful 75hp engine and 22 tons of momentum, so the empty pontoons on the River Fal will be a good place to practice power handling too.
Leaving from Falmouth Boatyard, Penryn.
Arrive Sunday for an expected launch day of Monday morning on the high tide. Spend a night onboard – high and dry – before the trolley hoist takes Tallulah back to her natural element. After we have checked engine is running ok and the wooden hull is happy back in sea water, there will be a short hop to somewhere sheltered to bend on sails and prepare for sailing.
We will sail as much as we can, taking a freshly painted Tallulah around the Falmouth Bay locality. at a time few boats are on the water.
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.
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.
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.
We now have several vessels that use Falmouth as a joining or leaving port. As every vessel is different, and we do not have our own pontoon there, all joining instructions are slightly different. Any changes will be communicated to you before your voyage start date.
This is a list of the likely joining locations, but sometimes the ship can also be at anchor. Read the vessel’s joining instructions carefully for full details.
Port Pendennis is the small marina behind the National Maritime Museum Cornwall and the nearest rail station is ‘Falmouth Town’ (3 mins walk). The Maritime Museum has a big tower like a lighthouse so aim for that and at the entrance, turn right and walk down the side of the museum. The gate to the marina is behind the museum building.
Custom House Quay is a stone quay enclosing a small wet dock in the Centre of Falmouth Town. It is used for some of the foot ferries to St Mawes in the peak summer. Only 5 minutes walk from Falmouth Town Station if you head towards the town centre. Situated at the Maritime Museum end of the high street and has its own short stay car park between Trago Mills Store and the Chain Locker Pub if you are driving and want to drop your bags first.
Falmouth Visitors Yacht Haven is about 100 yards beyond Custom House Quay but if walking from the rail station towards town it is best if you walk accross Custom House Quay short term car park and nip through the alley tunnel through the Chain Locker Pub. The yacht haven is a small marina only yards from Falmouth main shopping street (Arwenack St), tucked away down the bottom of Quay Street.
This is the home port of Classic Sailing. A seafaring village on the East side of Falmouth Harbour.
Updated 7-03-23
The historic Quay in St Mawes Harbour (TR2 5DW) is the official rendezvous for all Tallulah Voyages. Plan your travel for the quay in your first instance.
Tallulah has a mooring in St Mawes Bay. Skipper Debbie or the mate will normally meet you at the quay steps /harbour pontoon in Tallulah’s tender – a large blue rowing boat with ‘8’ on the side.
Bad Weather Alternative Ports
In the event of St Mawes being exposed to strong winds / big seas from the west or SW, we may start the voyage from more sheltered waters. This is likely to be the River Fal – Smugglers moorings near St Mawes or Falmouth Estuary.
Debbie will contact you at least 48hrs before the voyage with final joining instructions by email and text. All confirmed customers will be sent Debbies mobile number for emergencies or late arrival.
The A30 is the best route into Cornwall for St Mawes – if you follow a Sat Nav you will probably be taken via King Harry Car Ferry which is not the quickest route but is worth doing for the experience.
The best way is to leave the A30 at Fraddon and follow the B3275 until it meets the A390 where you turn left for a little way back towards St Austell. Then follow the signs to the right for the A3078 which ends in St Mawes.
There are two car parks in St Mawes both trouble free and you can pay by card
St Mawes Quay Car Park is very convenient as it is where you join your voyage but is a little more expensive.
St Mawes Central Car Park run by the St Just in Roseland Parish Council is recommended. It is just a minute walk from the Quay.
You can pay for a number of days with a debit card
There is free street parking in the roads up from the main beach, if you can find a space. Buckeys Lane is one way so please park on the right. The private roads of Pedn Moran or Freshwater Lane are popular with beach visitors and holiday cottage customers. Local residents are used to mystery cars parked outside for several days, as long as no drives are blocked, it seems the accepted thing. As with all street parking please make sure there is room for fire engines to get through. From any of these roads the Quay is about 5 minutes walk.
To get to St Mawes by train, buy a ticket for Falmouth Town Station, walk down to the waterfront and come across the water from Falmouth to St Mawes by passenger ferry.
Falmouth is on a branch line from Truro which is on the main London – Penzance rail line. Trains come into Cornwall to Truro from many parts of the UK and it is only 30 minutes down the branch line to Falmouth. Beware there are several small stations in Falmouth. Get off at Falmouth Town Station.
Falmouth Town Station (the Dell) is ten minutes walk from Customs House Quay where one of three ferries runs to St Mawes in the summer. If you just miss a ferry there are other departures to St Mawes from Prince of Wales Pier, the other side of town. In the winter – all ferries run from Prince of Wales Pier only. It is about 15 minutes walk through the town to the Prince of Wales Pier.
Ferry is the best way. St Mawes Passenger Ferry timetable for both piers https://www.falriver.co.uk/ferries/st-mawes-ferry/timetable. This has a live update to confirm which ferries are running on the day. It only stops in really bad weather.
St Mawes Ferry 01872 861 911 or 07855 438 674
Ferries are hourly in winter and three per hour in the summer and the journey is 20-25 minutes.
Buses
There are buses from Truro to St Mawes but they are very infrequent and take about an hour.
Newquay is the nearest airport but it is poorly served by public transport. A taxi to St Mawes can cost over £60
Classic Sailing recommend Treesisters charity as a carbon offsetting scheme and we have our own Classic Sailing Forest you can add tree planting to. These community tree planting schemes are all in parts of the world that desperately need reforestation and have maximum scope to reduce CO2
https://treesisters.org/fundraisers/classic-sailing-forest-1
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
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.
A Note on Covid 19
While Tallulah's guests do not need to prove Covid Vaccination status at this time, it is expected that if a guest feels unwell prior to joining the ship they should always use common sense and test when appropriate to decide whether they should join the voyage, for their own safety and the safety of others onboard. It is a requirement that guests on residential voyages take out appropriate Travel Insurance and care should be taken to ensure insurance includes cover for such a case. Likewise, should members of Tallulah's professional crew including the skipper feel unwell prior to a voyage, they will always use common sense & test when appropriate.
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.
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