Sail Mascotte to Falmouth Classics & race a 60ft pilot cutter

IDEAL VOYAGE FOR…

Those who love lots of sail handling and an opportunity to set as much sail as possible and make a scene. Learn the ropes on original 1904 pilot cutter Mascotte on the 20 mile journey to Falmouth. Once in the vast Falmouth Estuary and harbour, there will be plenty of other wooden boats to sail with. What better place to go out on the water and pose than at Falmouth Classics. 

A good one for photographers too with local Falmouth Working Boats, luggers, classic yachts and pilot cutters all clustered in Falmouth Yacht Haven in the evening. The shanty festival will be in full swing when you join Anny, and in many ways it sounds better drifting across the water to you than wading through the crowds of sailors ashore.

Mascotte will take part in this colourful festival – racing, shoreside activities including a lot of live music and a parade of sail.

After the Parade of Sail on Sunday Mascotte will enjoy some less frenetic sailing along the South Coast of Cornwall to Charlestown. It is not far in miles and could easily be done in a days sailing.

Ethical travellers who don’t want to fly for an interesting holiday and relish a few days without a car, travelling under sail.

VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS

• coastal hopping along the Cornish coast
• ideal gift for a friend or treat for yourself
• Iconic Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter – pretend she is yours
• Good for solo travellers – make new friends when doing activities together
• Affordable for groups – 5-8 guests
• Perfect dettox from modern life
• NO FLY HOLIDAY – Round trip – green travel under sail
• Come by train (Falmouth and St Austell stations for either end)

 

FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

An affordable tall ship taster encompassing the best of Cornwall’s traditional maritime scene in one 5 day trip with plenty of coastal sailing and some intensive close quarters sailing. Falmouth Classics Festival has grown every year since it was moved to June instead of peak season. The double treat of live music on every quayside with the international Shanty Festival combined with and wooden masts everywhere for the classics racing is an event that is popular with locals as well as holidaymakers.

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.

Falmouth Classics – Shanties & Racing

The racing starts on Friday and is usually a course within the deep water outer harbour, Carrick Roads and Falmouth Bay. There are different classes for different size boats and rig types and there is usually a good turn out of larger tall ships, Brixham Trawlers like Pilgrim, pilot cutters and Falmouth Working boats as well as some pretty Bermudian rigged classic yachts.

Each evening and during the day there are shanty bands and musicians playing traditional instruments all over the waterfronts of Falmouth, Flushing and St Mawes and in the pubs. You can go ashore and join in the fray, or find a quiet spot on board and let the music drift across the water to you for a more contemplative moment.

There is more racing on Saturday and it creates quite a spectacle out on the water. Seeing the vessels at your eye level is totally different from viewing it from the quays and hillsides ashore.Bring a camera. There will always be time to take a photo between sailing action.

Parade of Sail

On the Sunday morning the whole fleet sets off to do a circuit or two between the two castles. Mascotte will be one of the bigger craft so you might spot yourself on TV news later.

Once the sails are up and the parading is over – Mascotte will steer her bowsprit towards the East and you can all enjoy a more restful sail back to Charlestown.

 

Helford River to Fowey & Lantic Bay

It is not far if you were to sail directly to Charlestown, but the rest of your short break is about enjoying exploring the Cornish coast in the time available. that might mean a spot of wild swimming from a beautiful Roseland beach, or interesting mooring manoeuvres into tiny Mevagissey to pick up some fresh crab.

This is Mascotte’s backdoor and her skippers Huw or Ed know it well. 

Home to the Port of the Poldark TV Series

You may recognise Charlestown Harbour from countless film and TV productions. It is still used today for filming and you can imagine the characters striding down the quay or joining a ship like Anny in UK programmes like Poldark, Taboo and the Three Musketeers. This Georgian Harbour has been kept as original as possible with cobbled wharves and a small fleet of resident tall ships clustered in the wet dock.

It is not always possible to come into the inner harbour with Anny but it is always rather special if you do. if the tide is low then going ashore by ships boat can be equally exciting as the harbour walls are high and the tidal range is big. Charlestown Harbour is fast becoming a foodies night out with good waterside restaurants and pubs, so it is a great last night…..or you might choose to go to a nearby beach for a BBQ

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

The beauty of coastal wandering in local waters over a couple of days is the skipper can find the best sailing angles for the most enjoyable sailing. Mevagissey Bay, , Falmouth Bay, St Mawes Bay, Gerrans Bay, all can offer sheltered waters in certain wind directions and the vast Plymouth other Harbour behind its breakwater offers options to the East. Not so easy to sail up unless you like a challenge, but equally fascinating are the drowned river valleys of Cornwall. The wooded tidal Rivers of Fowey, Fal and Helford, offer still waters and places to moor up and shelter from wild weather. Surrounded by nature it’s not a bad place to ever be storm bound.

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 does 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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