6 Hours Sailing on Mascotte in beautiful Cornwall.

IDEAL VOYAGE FOR...

Beginners keen to try a new activity on a small and friendly tall ship with wide uncluttered decks and characterful wooden interior. No sailing experience required for this day sail or other voyages on Mascotte. The crew on Mascotte are happy to teach you as much marlinspike seamanship as you want, or be your guide to the endlessly explorable Fal estuary.

VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS

• Viewing the Cornish coast and exploring upriver
• Local skipper and fisherman as your guide
• Ideal gift for a friend or treat for yourself
• Affordable for groups of up to 8 people
• Private charter available, fantastic day out for a special occasion
• Short walk from Falmouth Town train station to the meeting point at Falmouth Haven

FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

Falmouth is a busy port, full of ships large and small, and a whole host of maritime heritage to boot. You'll meet the crew at Falmouth Haven, get aboard and set off for your day's adventuring.

Whilst Mascotte is an original traditionally rigged as a gaff pilot cutter with blocks and tackles, square sails and gaff sails, you can learn sailing skills and seamanship that are useful and relevant to all types of sailing vessel from yachts to tall ships. 

The Skipper will plan your route for the day to make the most of the given conditions. Falmouth is the perfect spot, as whichever direction the wind's coming from there's always something to explore. Whether its up river or out into deep water you can be sure of an interesting and entertaining day out. Mascotte's primary skipper, Adam Spargo, spends his winters dredging oysters under sail, and knows the labyrinth of rivers and creeks like the back of his hand. 

You'll also enjoy freshly cooked lunch on board, included in the ticket price. Often this will feature local seafood, which the crew source at every opportunity (if they haven't caught it themselves!)

Join by Ships Boat

Mascotte is likely to be at anchor rather than alongside the pontoon. This gives her the versatility to set off as soon as everyone has been introduced to the ship and safety briefings - whatever the state of tide. Guests are taken out to Mascotte by boat, so you can admire her lines as you approach. 

Where will we go on a day sail?

The skipper is a local and knows how to get the best out of the different wind directions and how the coastline of bays, headlands and drowned river valleys can be used to create the most enjoyable sailing for your day onboard.

Wildlife at Sea & Ashore

The Gulf Stream provides unexpected sightings of turtles, sunfish and more regular visits by dolphins (common, bottlenose and risso’s dolphin), porpoises, whales and giant basking sharks in summer. In autumn the local seals have their pups and overwintering migrant birds start making an appearance.

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

The beauty of coastal wandering in local waters is the skipper can find the best sailing angles for the most enjoyable sailing. The Fal, Truro and Helford rivers can offer sheltered waters. In fine weather you can head as far offshore as you want for more wind, ocean swell and a good blast.  

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 on 01326 53 1234 and we can chat through your concerns and possibly find options that might suit you better.

Included

• Sailing Instruction
• Safety Equipment (Life jackets and harnesses)
• All meals to include refreshments throughout the day
• Bed linen, duvet, pillows
• Waterproof jacket and trousers - but you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer

What is not included

• towels
• Alcoholic beverages
• Towels
• wellie boots

What to Bring

Please limit yourself to one soft bag or rucksack as there is limited storage space on board. No suitcases please! Anny and Mascotte do have waterproof jacket and trousers you can borrow in a variety of sizes. if you have your own outdoor waterproof of any type you might want to bring your own so you know you can get a good fit. If you need any advice please ring us on 01872 580022

• warm, windproof jacket for days when you don't want to wear a heavy 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.
• 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 Pilgrims deck too
• A small rucksack is useful for going ashore
• Camera, binoculars, sketchbook, a relaxing read.
• Passport for French 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.

Anny does not always have wine bottles for sale on board so you are welcome to bring modest quantities of alcohol e.g. to drink with evening meals, but drinking whilst sailing is not allowed.

Mascotte is a totally new vessel for Classic Sailing to promote, but she has been sailing with charter guests and as a private yacht for many years - mostly in Scotland but also in the Scillies and Norway.

Skippers from many of the other boats we have worked with have sailed in company with Mascotte and we have never personally heard a bad word about her voyages.

The many photos we have of Mascotte were taken by the co-founders of Classic Sailing Debbie and Adam when they have been out on Eve of St Mawes as skippers.We have raced against Mascotte and although she was 4 times the weight of our little pilot cutter Eve Mascotte was always sailed with perfect manners and courtesy and her guests always looked like they were having fun with former skipper Richard Clapman.

We are thrilled the former mate with Richard and Mascottes relief skipper Huw has taken over the the main skipper of this big pilot cutter and historic heirloom.

You won't have to take our word for much longer.

As soon as we have the first guest feedback we will update this page.

The largest surviving Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter Mascotte is 60 ft on deck. Built in 1904 in Wales and restored in Gloucester Mascotte is a magnificent example of Welsh maritime history. She is now offering short sailing breaks around Cornwall from her new home port of Charlestown Harbour.  

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