‘2024 Pilot Cutter World Championship’ Part 1

FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

The Annual Pilot Cutter Review – What a gathering of beautiful boats

Debbie has run photography voyages at Pendennis Cup, with the J Class yachts and at several Tall Ships Festivals, and won several prizes for her photography out on the water.

This is still the most action packed sailing voyage of the season, whether you have sailed a gaff cutter before or not.

Yes, it is an adrenalin buzz sailing in close quarters with other powerful pilot cutters, but there is also a lot of relaxed sailing with plenty of searoom where you can admire the other boats and coastal scenery. On Tallulah our skippers spend every week of the year sailing with a different bunch of complete novices or sailors who have never been on a traditional boat before, so we are explainers rather than shouters.

An annual gathering of pilot cutters is something Classic Sailing has organised since 2008. A Pilot Cutter Review is the historic name for a summer ‘showing off’ of pilot cutters. A time for working boats to dig out their racing sails and prove their pedigree for fast sailing. Help us create scenes from a bye-gone era, at a lovely time of year when Cornish ports are relatively empty of modern yachts.

3 OPTIONS:

You can sail the whole event, or join for the first part of the event, or just the long weekend.

Part one: Join in St Mawes for full training and evening sail. Then spend the next day sailing to Fowey and practicing sail handing (skipper, mate and deck hand to teach you). We will probably meet other pilot cutters on route. In Fowey we raft up and go ashore for a welcome party. On Friday sail back with the fleet. We time the event and there is always a bit of friendly racing for this 22 mile passage. In St Mawes Bay all cutters anchor and then make their way ashore for a paella or similar on the terrace at the St Mawes Social Club.

Part 2: New crew joining for just the weekend will meet at the evening event for supper. Skippers will get their racing brief from St Mawes Sailing Club organisers. There will be a safety briefing for new crew joining on fri evening / early sat morning. Weather depending there will be 2 races on the Sat and one on Sunday. The fleet often goes up the River Fal to raft up on one of the sheltered pontoons for a BBQ/ Party.  Prize giving is in the sailing club on Sunday late afternoon. You are free to depart on Sun evening or Monday morning after breakfast.

Creating Scenes from the Past

Yes there is always plenty of racing at the Pilot Cutter Review each year, but for me the backdrop is everything. It’s about creating evocative scenes out on the water and in the quaint Cornish ports. A floating museum of original pilot cutters and authentic replicas arrives at host ports and the public can go sailing on them and immerse themselves from this year was their timeless quality. The beauty the harbours we grace for our crew parties is that they all have deep significance for our maritime heritage. Fowey grew rich on merchant sailing vessels and privateering and St Mawes and Falmouth would have pilot cutters at anchor all year round, waiting to rush out like greyhounds to offer their pilot services to the tall ships.

Thursday is Fowey night in the Gallants

Celebrating Boatbuilding & Vision

Original pilot cutters that regularly attend include Marguerite, Olga, Mascotte,  Peggy and sometimes Cornubia or Jolie Brise. In 2024 we hope Carlotta ad Letty may join us. You can understand why they were so regarded as seaworthy working vessels that had the grace to capture the publics hearts when they spread their sails and raced out to sea to meet ships.

There are also many replicas who race as stylishly as the originals. These traditionally built, wooden beauties really showcase the revivial of wooden boat building in Cornwall in particular, but also Bristol and Tomi Neilson’s in Gloucester.

Luke Powell of Working Sail has built 9 pilot cutters who have nearly all taken part in our Pilot Cutter Review. In fact Luke made the wooden trophy half model for the event prize .

Cornish wooden boatbuilding was also represented well by pilot cutters built by Cockwell’s Modern & Classic Boatbuilding Ltd, and the Bristol boat yards have added great boats like Pegasus, Merlin and Edith Grey.

We never quite know how big the attending fleet will be. Lets see what happens in 2024

Friday 

The Passage Race from Fowey to St Mawes is a great spectacle for tourists in Fowey and Polruan as they see the pilot cutters set sail within this deep weather harbour. Departure is usually 10am but we have to liasse with the port authorities to give us the best time to miss any shipping and be able to sail out the entrance.

The route along the coast has many interesting features to add to the passage making strategy. Gribben Head, Gwineas Rocks, the strange winds and tides of the Dodman and the final corner around St Antony Lighthouse and into the finish in St Mawes Bay.

Some crews race hard, others just enjoy the passage and the marine wildlife and seabirds on route.

The Pilot Cutters anchor in St Mawes Bay but Tallulah has a big rowing boat with gig boat sweeps, so it is fun to visit the other crews.

Ashore we meet up on the sun terrace of the Bohella Bar for a ’round the cans race briefing’ and paella cooked on the giant BBQ or similar hearty food.

Saturday 

Open to the South West, St Mawes Bay provides a clear view of the Manacles and down towards the Lizard. Gaining a head start on the Falmouth based pilot cutters, several large pilot cutters were based in the village, and its boatyards were famous for building fast pilot gigs. Classic Sailing created the pilot cutter review event to celebrate the local pilot trade connection, and the local community gets a great thrill from hosting the ‘big’ pilot cutter racing as an extra annual event to complement its Falmouth Working Boat ‘World Championships and various gig boat events.

St Mawes Bay is less than half a mile wide and with hills all around makes a perfect amphitheatre for visitors and locals to watch the start and finish of each race. 

St Mawes Sailing Club have been designing suitable race courses for the big pilot cutters since 2008. They understand it is part spectacle and partly competitive racing, but they understand that these boats like a good romp without miles of beating to windward. Aiming for 2 races in St Mawes Harbour and Carrick Roads

On Saturday evening it is tradition for the boats to sail up the River Fal to large mid river pontoons where all boats can raft up and socialise. Usually each vessel offers some sort of BBQ on deck or al fresco meal. The setting is surrounded by oak woodlands and rural landscapes.

Sunday 

1 or 2 races  St Mawes Harbour and Carrick Roads

Prizegiving 18:30

The voyage officially ends on Monday morning to give guests a good rest before travelling. If you wish to get off on Sunday night after the prize giving (typically about 1800hrs), or after a final crew meal in the pub (or on Tallulah)  then that is also possible.

Tallulah – Not exactly a New Kid on the Block

Tallulah is 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. Debbie bought Tallulah in 2021 and this big, elegant cutter brings up right up to date with our mission to cut our guests carbon footprint by exploring in the UK and sailing as much as possible. If you are based in the UK then we aim to give you a staycation as memorable as any trip abroad. If you are coming to Cornwall from outside the UK, then thank you for coming. The traditional sailing community are not isolationists.

How does the weather effect the itinerary

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. With an event like the pilot cutter review we try to run to programme but the weather is always the boss. The description above is based on what we think might be possible, based on past trips, or experience, but nothing is guaranteed on a sailing voyage. Racing has to be safe for the level of the crew abilities before we will participate.

What to Expect on your Tallulah trip

Tallulah has a mooring across St Mawes Bay – so your first challenge is to meet Debbie on the Quay and row yourselves and bags out to your floating holiday base.

After finding out a bit about each other and individual hopes for the voyage, the skipper and mate will introduce you life on a boat and how you sail Tallulah safety. The training is on going through the few days and the more guests participate, the easier it is for Tallulah to show you the best of gaff cutter sailing.

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 are often 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 has a well ventilated restaurant and al fresco options to take your meal on deck if you prefer.

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

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.

 

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.