Sea Trials & intensive boat handling

IDEAL VOYAGE

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.

VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS

• Be there at the beginning of Tallulah’s 2024 season
• Sail with Classic Sailing Co founder Debbie Purser
• Learn how to get wooden boats ready for season
• sail fast with freshly painted hull
• Comfortable berths with heating & oil lamps

FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

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’s 3rd sailing season

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.

Lots of Action 

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.

What to Expect on your Shakedown Voyage

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.

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

Plus Parking in St Mawes

What's 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 & buoyancy jackets (on summer voyages)

What is not included

• 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

• 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.

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.

 

Car Parking in St Mawes for Crew Joining Tallulah

If you're arriving by car, motorbike, or camper van to join Tallulah in St Mawes, here’s what you need to know.

There is a long-stay car park behind the Rising Sun pub in central St Mawes. It's run by St Just in Roseland Parish Council. You pay at the machine on arrival — card payments are accepted. Advance booking isn’t possible.

As of April 2023, the daily charge for a standard vehicle using one bay was £6, with reduced rates for longer stays (e.g. £35 for a week). Prices may have changed since then.

Motorbikes parked on yellow hatchings are free. Full mobility vehicles are also free. Blue Badge holders pay the standard rate.

Camper vans are welcome to park during the day but cannot be used for overnight stays. If your vehicle uses more than one space, you’ll need to pay for each and display a ticket for both. Coach bays are not to be used.

The car park is in regular use by both locals and visitors. High-value vehicles are often parked here, and concerns around theft or vandalism are very low, though of course no guarantee can be given.

Note
Always check the signage when you arrive, especially if staying multiple days or parking a large vehicle. Local rules may change.

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.