St Mawes, Cornish Coast & Tallulah

FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

Day Sail – Discover Tallulah

Come out for the day and have a blast. We are confident you will be back for more.

Yes, Tallulah is one of the 9 pilot cutters built by Luke Powell and fellow shipwrights. Her design is unique within that fleet, having been built for a couple to sail. Personally we think she was destined to be a charter boat and now we are out to prove it. 2ft shorter than the legendary Agnes and a lot lighter, Tallulah has sleek lines for fast sailing and space below decks to create 6 guest berths that are well spread out. 

Tallulah is owned and run by Debbie Purser. She founded Classic Sailing with Adam in 1997 and our ethos has always been to sail as much as possible, row sexy rowing boats rather than use noisy outboards, and generally enhance the Cornish coastline with our boats presence. For 23 years we ran themed voyages and short breaks on our little blue pilot cutter Eve of St Mawes. Tallulah brings up right upto date with our mission to cut our guests carbon footprint and appreciate our natural surroundings, whilst having a staycation as memorable as any trip abroad. If you are coming to Cornwall from outside the UK, then thank you for coming.

Now we have a bigger pilot cutter, the low carbon theme remains. Trusty expedition rowing boat Number 8 is still with us. We tow her on most voyages so you can ‘toss oars’ on the way to a waterside pub, or silently row up a wooden creek until you are with the curlews in the salt marsh.

We are not purists though, so there is heating, hot showers, fridge, radiators and stove on board, and these need a bit of engine or diesel to work. Tallulah has a barrel windlass, oil lamps as well as 12v lighting and solar panels so we try to minimise our fossil fuel usage.

Where will we Sail?

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. Day sails are no different. The skipper will be balancing the strengths and age grouping of the day sail, the weather and sea state and how to give you the best sailing experience in a short 6 hours.

Depending on wind, within day sail reach is the Helford River and the coastline around Falmouth Bay and the Manacles reef. We might have time to sail down part of the Lizard coast as far as Coverack. The fast tides here are good places to spot diving gannets, dolphins or basking sharks.

Eastwards is Gerrans Bay and the Roseland Coast with a few tiny Cornish villages like Porthscatho or Portloe between some stunning sandy beaches. We can shoot the gap between Rame Head and Gull Rock and look for guilimots breeding on this spikey island.

Falmouth Estuary and Carrick Roads is also a great sailing ground when the tide is high. A deep, meandering channel can also take you into the wooded Fal River at lower water if the wind angles are right and the day sail crew are up for a lot of sail trimming and course changes. A brief anchorage below Trelissick House and gardens is an idyllic place for lunch.

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.

 

St Mawes – The Pilot Cutter Harbour

Falmouth has always been an important deep water harbour and staging post for exploring the world and trading by sailing ship. In the 1890s many of the pilot cutters registered in Falmouth were based in St Mawes as the bay has fast access to the open sea. Tallulah’s mooring is far enough out in the bay for you to sail off the mooring. In summer there are many local racing fleets to dodge and off season the Falmouth Oyster Boats are out dredging under sail, trying to hang onto their unique fishery.

 

 

Helford River – Marine Nature Reserve

Helford is timeless. You feel like you are in a Daphne Du Maurier book. Dense, twisted oak trees sweep down to the water. Oystercatchers flash between rockpools, bluebells, gorse, wild garlic and primroses waft their scent out to sea. Tallulah can tack into the widest part of the river and sometimes right up through to the moorings free upper reaches if the tide is high.

Roseland Coast & Beyond

Shoot the gap between Nare Head and Gull Rock with its guillimot colony, anchor off beaches where seals breed in caves. Skipper Debbie has lived here since 1996 and explored the coastline intimately, by sailing, rowing, swimming and coastal walking. The possibilities are endless if you are not obsessed with sailing great distances. If you do want to sail for miles – we can always go on a fast reach out to sea too.

Charlestown is the home of Poldark and many over movies, and full of bars and waterside restaurants. Polkerris is another place to anchor off and row ashore for a pint in an Easterly. Fowey was a privateers lair and impressive to sail into.

 

What to Expect on your Tallulah Day Sail

Tallulah has a mooring across St Mawes Bay, but for day sails we might anchor a bit nearer to the quay. For those who want to row, this is your chance to try out our big but light rowing tender and get in the mood for some salty action.

After finding out a bit about each other and what would make your day in these all too short 6 hours, the skipper and mate will introduce you life on a boat and how you sail Tallulah safety. This seamlessless morphs into the sails going up and off we go.

Some things on Tallulah are quite physical. Some things are easy peasy. She a has roller furling jib, but you need two halliards to hoist the mainsail (like all gaff sails). The barrel windlass is very manual and ancient in concept. There are loads of places to sit. There are high sides to the deck and there will be guard rails so walking on deck in rough weather feels very secure.

Meals for day sails are generally taken on deck, but the saloon is also characterful with a big oak table and skylights above. Mindful of coronavirus still being around, we generally have all hatches open when stationary, so Tallulah is better ventilated than most shoreside restaurants or pubs.

Sailing instruction is informal, but the crew have wide interests so can answer most maritime questions from navigation to boat building. Never be afraid to ask to have a go at something.

 

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 FOR DAY SAILS

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. 

You don’t need to be fully covid vaccinated and boosted to join a day sail – just of good health and free from any infection – covid or otherwise. This is an outdoor activity where we spend all day on deck, apart from nipping below to the WC. Whilst there is a maximum of 12 on board for day sails we do ask that you do a lateral flow test before arriving and do not sail if you are covid positive. Even outdoors there will be times when it is not possible to socially distance as you are pulling on ropes together. Our staff test regularly but we do have a whole season and few relief crew options so please help us keep Tallulah covid free.

Agility wise you need to be able to climb a few steps up a boarding ladder from a tender or water taxi. The companionway steps down below decks are 3 steps to a flat platform, then 3 more very steep steps. 

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 & bouyancy jackets (on summer voyages)

What is not included

• towels
• 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

• Proof of Covid 19 vaccination dates & status (See our terms & conditions: Basically to be safe for all guests and crew in a confined space we ask that you keep your covid vaccination status up to date with appropriate boosters. All crew and volunteers will be expected to be vaccinated too).
• 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.

 

 

 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.