Pellew

Launched in 2020, Pellew is the largest and fastest Pilot Cutter of her time.n Taking her guests for exhilarating sailing adventures, Pellew spends her summers sailing the coasts of Cornwall, the islands on the West coast of Scotland and over the English Channel to France. No experience is needed, but a love for adventure is a must.

Accommodation

Number of guest berths: 8
Number of bathrooms: 2
Cabin configuration: Open fore cabin
Smoking policy: On deck only

Particulars

Port of Registration: Falmouth, Cornwall
Year built: 2020
Length overall: 90'/27m
Draft: 10'/3.1m
Sail Area: 3500 sq'
Number of Sails: 5
Rig: Gaff Cutter
Crew: 3-4

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Description

From week-long voyages exploring the subtropical archipelago of the Isles of Scilly to longer expeditions to Brittany and beyond, Pellew also offers shorter taster sailing experiences around her home port of Falmouth in Cornwall. With her vast sail plan, think fast, invigorating sailing with the lee rail kissing the waves.

Get involved with all aspects of sailing her, from hoisting the sails together to feeling her full power while taking the helm. Pellew is undoubtedly not for the faint-hearted, but perfect for those looking for a proper sailing adventure, from solo travellers to adventurous couples.

Pellew is a faithful recreation of the Falmouth Pilot Cutter Vincent, initially built in 1852 and based in St Mawes, Cornwall. Today, the spirit of tradition lives on, and Pellew is strongly built to sail the oceans of the world with her guests travelling in utmost comfort and safety.

Originally designed and built for speed and seaworthiness, these sturdy vessels would carry pilots out to sea, meeting ocean-going ships arriving with cargoes bound for Europe. Whatever the weather and however rough the waters, these courageous cutters were an integral part of maritime life in the south-west of England.

Below decks, she has a cosy saloon with cushioned seating around a large oak table and a generous galley. Hearty home-cooked meals will be freshly prepared on board by our dedicated cook using locally sourced produce wherever possible. The eight guest berths are arranged around an open-plan cabin with a shower and two toilets.

Life onboard

Enjoy wonderfully wild, exhilarating sailing while discovering the hidden treasures of the coast, all while enjoying great hospitality and good food.

Getting Involved

Sailing with Pellew is not for the faint-hearted. She is one of the fastest pilot cutters of her time, so you’ll be sure to feel the wind whipping through your hair and sea spray on your face. It will be a truly exhilarating sailing experience, and if adventure is calling you, this is one not to miss.

Believe it or not, you don’t need any experience to jump aboard Pellew – just a lust for adventure! You’ll be surrounded by like-minded individuals, and the crew love to share their knowledge with guests, showing them the ropes and feeling the wind power in the sails. We welcome as much or as little participation as you want – from pulling up the sails, sheeting in, steering, and even navigation.

Pellew skipper Luke on board in Cornwall

Sleeping and Relaxation

You are welcomed into the main saloon with cushioned seating around a large table next to a generous galley. It’s a great sociable space with the traditionally built wooden finish giving a lovely cosy feeling. From hearty meals together, cards over a wee dram or just a quiet corner to read a book, it’s a great space to relax in.

At the front of the boat, there are eight guest berths in an open-plan cabin, each in twin-bunk configuration. She has a generous shower room (for a boat!) and two toilets.

A Typical Day

Usually, after breakfast, set sail for a day on the water, aiming to reach a new destination every evening. Enjoy searching out quiet anchorages and hidden coves where you can spend the night, enjoying the company, the stars, and, of course, our freshly cooked evening meal. There will be time to explore ashore once anchored and especially when visiting destinations like Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly or Brittany.

Dining Aboard

All food will be freshly prepared on board to the highest standard by a dedicated cook, so guests can expect hearty breakfasts, freshly baked bread, delicious lunches and dinners, as well as plenty of homemade cake. All dietary requirements will be catered for, and where possible, all our fresh food is locally sourced. You’ll undoubtedly be well taken care of after a good day of sailing.

Meet the crew of PELLEW

Pellew’s Skipper is shipwright Luke Powell, who also designed and built her in Cornwall with his team.

Having dreamt of this build for many years, Luke Powell is the designer and creator of Pellew, and with the help of his team at Working Sail, his dream has finally been built and realised.

Luke started his life on the water aged 9 when his parents took him off to Greece on an old fishing boat. He began skippering in the Mediterranean at the age of 16 before coming back to the UK at 18 to begin his boatbuilding career. After a couple of years in Faversham, Kent, he went back to Greece to buy and rebuild a 40ft boat of his own, Charmian.

After sailing in the Mediterranean for a couple of years and some more building and restoring boats in France, he returned to Gweek in Cornwall at the top of the Helford, where Working Sail was started. He has since built eight new pilot cutters, with Pellew now being the 9th, which will be seen sailing around the South Coast of the UK.

In the past, when not in the boat-yard, he has been out on the water skippering Working Sail’s other Pilot Cutter, Agnes.

Luke’s passion for sailing is clear to see, and he loves nothing more than to be out on the water, sharing his wisdom and knowledge with guests while visiting beautiful anchorages off the beaten track.

The history

Pellew is a faithful recreation of one of the longest-surviving and best-documented of Falmouth’s Pilot cutters, Vincent. The original boat was built in 1852 for the Vincent family of St Mawes. She worked for 70 years until she retired in 1922, ending her days up the Percuil river on a houseboat.

Pellew has been built using traditional wooden boat-building methods and is one of the largest and fastest Pilot Cutters to be built in modern times. Having been a dream of her skipper, Luke Powell, for many years, work on her began in 2016. With the help of his team at Working Sail, Luke is now ready to sail Pellew on her first season of adventures.

The Pilot Cutter

Ships sailing in from the Atlantic heading towards the rocky coasts of Cornwall eagerly sought local knowledge – hence the need for pilots. In all and any weathers, the Cornish seamen were taken out to sea ready to be put aboard to guide the ships in. Over the centuries, Cornish Pilot Cutters evolved to survive and sail in some of the wildest conditions of the seafaring world.

Pilot cutters were built to be fast, and the competition was fierce with pilots sailing their boats from Falmouth and the Scillies out into the Atlantic in search of ships to see which would be the first one to get a man aboard the advancing ships. Each Pilot Cutter could carry eight pilots and stayed at sea until all the pilots were aboard the incoming vessels.

Why the name Pellew?

Edward Pellew was the son of a Cornish packet boat captain who ran away to sea at 14 to rise through the ranks of the Royal Navy to become, during the Napoleonic Wars, the most excellent frigate captain of his time. Based in Flushing across the waters from Falmouth, he would sail out into the channel to attack the French, bringing back enemy frigates as prizes. He showed great humanity toward both his crew and the enemy, even becoming good friends with the French captains he fought alongside.

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FAQs

Are all meals included?
Yes, all meals on board are included in the price. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner and hot drinks) Alcohol is not included.
Can you cater for dietary needs?
Meat eaters and vegetarians only please!
Are there any added extras?
There's an honesty bar for soft drinks and alcohol.
What are the sleeping arrangements?
Shared quarters, 8 berths in the open fore cabin with easy access to a toilet
Is there a porthole in my berth?
There are deck hatches in the fore cabin.
How many toilet/showers does she have?
2 toilets, 1 shower for guests.
Are bedding and towels provided?
All bedding is provided but please bring your own towels. Micro-fibres are a great lightweight, quick-drying alternative.
Is there a hairdryer on board?
No, please do not bring one. The sea breeze makes a great natural alternative!
Will I be able to wash my clothes?
No, Pellew does not have laundry on board.
Is there heating onboard?
Yes.
Do I need to tip the crew?
Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!
What language is spoken onboard?
English.
Is there WIFI?
No! It's time to disconnect from the modern tech and reconnect with nature! When within shore range, you should be able to reach 4/5G.
Can I charge my phone/Camera?
Yes, each bunk has a 12v USB charging port.
What is the currency on board?
GBP - pounds sterling.
Are there life jackets provided?
Yes.
How do I get on and off the boat?
Pellew is often at anchor so you'll need to be comfortable climbing in and out of the tender dinghy and climbing up and over the gunwale - there will always be a crew member to steady.
Are Waterproofs provided?
There are off-shore jackets available for guests when sailing but please bring your own waterproof for time ashore.
Do I need sailing experience?
No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure and a want to get actively involved.
Does the boat have any water toys?
No.
Will I be sea sick?
Everyone reacts differently but we recommend if you are at all worried to take some medication 24 hours before departure.
Is there an age limit?
Preferably over 12's accompanied by an adult on a 1:1 ratio but please check with us in the office as each voyage is different.