Scilly islands stunning in Early June.

IDEAL VOYAGE

Tallulah is relatively new to charter, but her skipper and owner Debbie has explored the Isles of Scilly by pilot cutter for over 23 years. If you sailed with Debbie on ‘Eve of St Mawes’ then you know she like to anchor amongst uninhabited islands, go for short sails between and around the Isles, and spend plenty of time ashore too.

We like to do things as carbon free as possible so Tallulah will bring a wooden rowing dinghy, stand up paddleboards and an electric outboard for longer boat trips on ‘Number 8.’  There is a mate on board too, but we believe in hands on participation in the sailing. A great voyage for intermediate and experienced sailors but not beyond the sights of adventurous beginners wanting offshore sailing and remote anchorages.

Caution.

The passage to and from the Isles of Scilly is never going to be a calm. The islands lie in the Atlantic which out there is never still. You should already know if you have your sea legs or can cope with brief periods of seasickness. 

VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS

• Two offshore passages passing the Lizard & Lands End
• ‘Out there’ anchorages with significant wildlife & seabirds
• Skipper that knows what each island has to offer & best shelter
• wooden row boat, SUPs and silent electric outboard
• Freshly cooked food and accommodation all onboard.
• Comfortable berths with heating & oil lamps
• Beachcombing, walks ashore on different islands

FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

Sail West to the Isles of Scilly

Tallulah is based in St Mawes Bay, so like the pilot cutters of old, she has easy access to the open sea. Your 60-70 mile sea journey to the Isles of Scilly begins with a sail down the Lizard Peninsula. The strong tides give us a helping hand towards our destination and also attract basking sharks, dolphins and pilot whales. We might shorten the passage by sailing to Helford River or Coverack on the first evening, but usually its an early start from St Mawes or nearby.

From the Lizard Lighthouse Tallulah crosses Mounts Bay and you may loose sight of land, before the high granite cliffs of West Penwith come into view. Wolf Rock lighthouse is on route and the seas around Lands End are the beginning of the Atlantic Ocean. Gannets wheel overhead and big ships need to be watched carefully.

Island Landfall

If there is a big swell running or prolonged gales forecast then the Isles of Scilly is not the place to be in a sailing boat of any size. Tallulah’s Scilly season begins in midsummer and ends in early September, so conditions are usually more benign. The passage out is still quite a challenge and a long day. The guest crew will be split into 2 watches so you know when you are the crew helping the skipper or mate, and when you can just relax or take a snooze. The rewards are great though, and we aim to make landfall way before dusk. Favourite first night anchorages include the Cove in St Agnes, Porthcressa on St Marys, or around the top of Tresco to Old or New Grimsby sound.

The Isles of Scilly are low lying islands that sit well off Lands End and should be viewed as oceanic islands, swept by strong tides. When the ocean swell is high, or from several different directions from previous storms, then some or all of the anchorages can be unsafe. Likewise if there is a strong headwind and waves from the Atlantic, then getting to the islands can be too tough for an enjoyable adventure. Even in high summer we can get a bad combination of strong winds and swell on some trips. The skipper might have to delay journeying west until weather improves or discuss with everyone and seek out an alternative sailing ground with activities which are as close to a Scillies wildlife adventure as possible. Mounts Bay, the Lizard coast or even towards the rugged Devon coast still has abundant wildlife, secret coves, and interesting coastal communities ashore.

When the weather is good, The Isles of Scilly are one of the most beautiful sailing grounds in Europe, and well worth the 11-15 hour passage to reach this wildlife and beachcombers mecca.

Wildlife, Beachcombing & Sub tropical flowers

The Isles of Scilly are granite outposts and have no silty rivers. This means the beaches have white sand that looks like the Seychelles, glittering with mica and crystal clear seas. Swimming is amazing but chilly. Seals swim in the kelp forests, terns scream overhead and in spring you might see puffins.

For 100 years the pilot trade was the main industry in the Isles of Scilly so pilot cutters are part of its heritage. Growing flowers was the next economic boon. The unique micro climate supports sub tropical plants, which all adds to the unique character of Scilly.

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.

Introduction to Tallulah

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.

Having a longer waterline than our previous pilot cutter Eve means Tallulah will make faster passages to the islands, and with a lot more space below decks for the same number of guests (max 6 and 2 crew).

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. If it is too dangerous to be in the Isles of Scilly or we need to leave early, then the skipper will try and create a voyage similar in style to our Scilly Expeditions, but in more sheltered waters.

 

What to Expect on your 6 day Isles of Scilly Expedition

A hands on training session and possibly a short sail from St Mawes on the first evening.

We plan all Tallulah Scilly dates to maximise the tide with us at the start of your voyage. If the weather is ok we set off early on the first full day. Generally the aim is to reach the Isles of Scilly in one long day sail, but sometimes we will stop in Mounts Bay on route. Very rarely we will go west overnight if it is really calm, or favourable light winds.

We generally reach an anchorage in time for a swim, or a walk ashore to watch the sunset, or perhaps a beer in the pub. All overnight stops are anchorages in Scilly. There are limited facilities ashore. Your landing stage is often barefoot on a beach.

Approx 4 evenings and 3 full days are spent in Scilly. This might be a different anchorage each night, but how and when we move is very weather and tide dependant. If you want to learn advanced navigation this is the place. Each hop requires detailed pilotage planning as there are a lot of rocks and sandbars. Scenically this is a fascinating, changing landscape so bring a camera.

By the time you come to sail back to St Mawes, you will be well used to boat life and the winds are usually behind us for fast sailing. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and sometimes even tuna.

Note on Sailing to the Isles of Scilly
Please note sailing to the Isles of Scilly is subject to weather. We promote these voyages because the big majority of voyages do go to the Isles of Scilly. Tallulah and her Skipper Debbie are more than capable of making a great alternative voyage for you in Cornwall if it unsafe to sail to the Isles of Scilly.

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 & 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.

 

Hi Debbie,

It was a great trip! Despite losing a day sailing to bad weather we made good use of the time to learn some theory and get to know Tallulah - so time well spent.

Highlights for me - apart from not feeling even slightly queasy - rescuing the man overboard, ferry gliding onto the pontoon in Fowey, heading out into a big swell and tacking back into St Mawes, and finding our way in the dark to our hiding place in the Fal ahead of the storm.

I feel far more competent and much more confident on the water and that was exactly what I wanted to achieve from the course.

Thank you Debbie.

I know criticism can be valuable but I really can't think how the course could have been better.

I'm not veggie but maybe fewer meat based meals?? Great skipper and great crew.

Many thanks Chris

Hi Skippers,

I had a great weekend on Tallulah thank you.

I learnt the basics of sailing and tried a lot of things I’ve never done before. Beccs and Anthony were very competent and informative. I loved rowing out to beaches for morning yoga followed by a swim.  Sophie was an excellent yoga instructor.

Food was great! Much better than I anticipated. 

If I was going to change anything I would have possibly done a bit more cove exploring but we did only have a weekend. 

I’d definitely recommend it and do another trip.

Dana Sept 24

Well, I was surprised everything else went right, given the lack of experience of us paying crew members.  Only a couple of things went wrong for me, which did not spoil the trip.  I was caught off guard the first time the jibe swung over to the other side of the deck, but in fact I was well forward of it.  The rope ladder to the sea was at a crazy angle which I found difficult to descend, even more so to ascend and nicked my knee struggling to get back aboard.  I decided against swimming and went for a bucket shower.  

The most memorable moments were the moments together when we shared experiences, stories, jokes and excellent food thanks to Finlay and Anthony.  Then there was Tallulah scudding along with the deck at 45 degrees with the water spilling into the scuppers, 7-8 knots at times.  I was trusted at the tiller for a few short periods. 

Anthony is a great skipper.  He thanked us constantly for our assistance despite having to intervene many times.  

It was a brilliant and too short a voyage.

David Sept 24

Thank you, I had an amazing time. The skipper and first mate, were very warm and welcoming , they did everything they could to make our mini adventure the best they could, discussing destinations and ports of call, ensuring we had plenty of sailing and opportunities for a swim. The food was excellent, catering for many individual requirements, vegetarian, lactose intolerant. 

I was also very grateful that Antony was kind enough to let me practice my tidal curves, streams , taking bearings, helping me with my day skipper theory, I really appreciated the help…thankyou.

Sarah Sept 24

This was a brilliant trip. We sensibly didn’t go to the Scillies given forecast gales from awkward directions but had a splendid time nevertheless touring nearer destinations west, east and north of Falmouth. Skipper Debbie and mate Anthony made a great job of showing us a good time , teaching us the ropes and involving us as much or as little as we wanted. Tallulah is beautiful and an exciting sail and the food was great too. Highly recommended. Many thanks .

Scillies Island Hopping 17-23.8.24

This was a brilliant trip. We sensibly didn’t go to the Scillies given forecast gales from awkward directions but had a splendid time nevertheless touring nearer destinations west, east and north of Falmouth. Skipper Debbie and mate Anthony made a great job of showing us a good time , teaching us the ropes and involving us as much or as little as we wanted. Tallulah is beautiful and an exciting sail and the food was great too. Highly recommended. Many thanks .

Duncan

Hi Adam and Debbie,

First of all, thank you for providing the opportunity for Fran and I to realise one of our dreams: to sail to - and explore - the Isles of Scilly. The fact that we were able to do so on a classic boat, with a knowledgeable and experienced skipper in Debbie, certainly heightened the experience.

Memorable moments, there were many but here are some highlights:

- Making the 19-hour sail under the stars at night, keeping tabs on the huge vessels looming by while we bobbed along on the rolling sea.

- Coming ashore on white sands in St. Martin's Great Bay and heading off to explore the island's incredible scenery, and rich flora and fauna on foot. - Learning how to crew a pilot cutter, taking part in watches during the night sail and becoming more adept at sail handing and anchoring as the week progressed.

- Visiting the stunning Tresco Abbey Gardens on a sunny day and meeting an inquisitive red squirrel.

- Last but not least, the ease with which Debbie and Will kept spoiling us with a variety of tasty and nutritious meals even while under sail.

Is there anything you think we could improve for future voyages?

Not really anything that we can think of. The trip met all of our objectives in full. As sailors, we know that all plans are necessarily weather dependent and Debbie did a good job of explaining the options and gaining a consensus when we had to change tack: for example delaying the return journey by a day due to a change in the forecast.

Do you have any stunning photos you'd like to share with us? I have already shared some photos on the trip's Whatsapp group. You are welcome to replicate, and also to use any comments. Thank you once again for making our trip to the Scillies such a wonderful, life-affirming experience.

Richard and Frances.

I had a lovely weekend aboard Tallulah and really enjoyed the company of all the interesting women on board. Claudia was a great and inspiring teacher and we all appreciated Debbie’s calm and very good humoured competence in the face of some difficult weather conditions. Debbie and Bex looked after us extremely well and were both superb teachers, incredibly patient with their explanations and instructions, and I would be delighted to sail under them again. The change of schedule was completely immaterial to my enjoyment of the weekend.

Being the last on board, though, I got the saloon seat berth which meant there was nowhere I could retreat to and no space that was "mine" to stash my stuff, and I did find it very difficult having to stuff literally everything back into my bag and rummage for everything I needed. 

I had two particular highlights: Claudia producing a Celtic Harp and playing it softly on deck in the evening light, and the thrill of manning the jib sheets with the clear cold water rushing over my feet in the scuppers.

Very best wishes,

Heather July 24

Hello Adam,

Thank you for your invitation to contribute my impressions of my “Escape the Election” voyage last week.

This was a short voyage, and for reasons which I completely understand, was not able to follow the planned itinerary. Hence I am not able to contribute any interesting anecdotes or photos. However I should like to express my thanks to Debbie and Becky, and Classic Sailing, for providing four days of absorbing experience of living on a classic pilot cutter. Their professional expertise was obvious and their patience in explaining and instructing was exemplary. I particularly enjoyed the very high standard of cuisine which was provided; I had fully expected to be offered four days of soup and sandwiches!

I have no hesitation in recommending Classic Sailing to anyone, of whatever level of experience, who wants to enjoy traditional sailing in good company.

My regards and very best wishes to all at Classic Sailing.

Richard July 24

Hi Adam

Thanks for this. We had a great time and an authentic small boat sailing experience, having only done tall ships before. I tempted my wife along on the promise of a double bed in a luxury en suite room, lavish food and drink and personal service by a valet. Only one of these turned out not to be true but we are still together!  We certainly had some exciting times as well as moments of tranquility! It was very reassuring having half the crew who knew what they were doing! I loved the area but probably wouldn't do the shanty festival again. It was an experience wandering around the town amongst all those pirates and a plethora of peg legs and we really enjoyed the music with everyone enjoying the bunfight. At one point I was hearing Drunken Sailor coming at me from three different directions, each accompanied by a raucous audience! Enough is enough though, and talking like a pirate all evening was rather a strain. It was brilliant that you arranged for a couple of excellent folk musicians to be on board - Alan and Penny - who kept us entertaining even in the most perilous conditions. Proper job!

Tallulah is a lovely vessel and so were the gallant crew. I will send some more photos when I've sorted them out.

Kind regards

Steve and Diane, May 24

Hi Adam

I very much enjoyed the whole experience of sailing with Debbie, and Will  (and you) on Tallulah.

Despite poor Peter having to leave on the second morning,   and Linda   waking us all  vomiting for hours on the third night , it was  just brilliant ; such a beautiful boat, amazing sailing and learning how to sail Tallulah   was scary at first but soon began to feel more at ease , lovely to sleep on board , Will prepared delicious food , and the trips ashore were fun as well - seeing the seals in their hidden cove was a bonus , as was  exploring the little Celtic Church of St Anthony.

 and  I loved rowing ashore and then back to Tallulah in the dark . Oh and being on the tiller too!  It was great that on the second day we were able to get out to sea - so thanks Adam for coming on board so that it was possible.  For me it has restored my confidence in my physical abilities,  at a stage in life when its easy to feel such adventures are no longer possible.  - and I really enjoyed the company too - so maybe the Scillies next year and  hoping to do a longer voyage when my two aged dogs  are no longer around.  The only improvement I can think of  is it would be great to have environmentally friendly   wash up liquid etc.

 Hope to see you again,  all good wishes for the rest of the season.

 Jane May 2024

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.