Cornish Sailing Weekend Adventure

This voyage is perfect for small groups of family or friends who want to get to experience traditional sailing in sheltered waters and soak up the diversity of Cornwall’s coastline. A weekend getaway, where you can cook your food aboard or go ashore and enjoy local pubs and restaurants.

Find Pettifox in the picturesque port of Fowey with its charming narrow streets and coloured cottages stretching the foreshore. It’s no wonder that the ancient town is such a mecca for outdoor sailing enthusiasts who come from afar to explore this perfect little estuary. Your weekend will, of course, be dictated by the direction of the wind and tide to make full use of Pettifox’s sails, so there is no set route or itinerary. Your ticket price includes full use of Pettifox, her qualified Skipper to sail you around the coast, all bedding, drinking water and tea and coffee while onboard. You will also be provided with a continental style breakfast each day which includes, breads, cereal, fruit and yoghurt. For the rest of your meals you can choose to bring food aboard or go ashore for delicious local eateries.

Sheltered Sailing

After you’ve spent the day exploring what the Fowey river has to offer and you’re familiar with the boat, its time to check in with the weather and see where the wind will take you.

Head up to the historic fishing town of Looe, where Pettifox’s small draft make easy access to this shallow harbour or perhaps sail St Austell Bay before hunkering down in the ancient harbour of Charlestown. Experience true freedom as the wind fills Pettifox’s sails and propels you along this unique and impressive coastline.

The south coast provides some truly sheltered sailing grounds. Whichever way you head along the Cornish coast, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, birds and plenty of other marine life.

 

Family Friendly

Pettifox is well suited to families or small groups of friends who are looking for a secluded sailing holiday exploring the coasts of Cornwall. No experience is needed to climb aboard – Pettifox is an easy rig to sail so is perfect for young families wanting to learn more about life on the water. Below decks, she has four single berths with two extra child berths available on request.

Bed & Breakfast

A continental style breakfast with drinking water, tea & coffee is included in the charter price. All other food and canned soft/alcoholic drinks must be provided by the guest. Pettifox will act as your base for your sailing holiday and guests are welcomed to shop ashore and use the boat’s galley for cooking or eat ashore in the numerous harbour side restaurants, known for their fresh fish on the Cornish coast – maybe even a BBQ on the beach! Johnny the Skipper can help you with your food shop once you’ve dropped your luggage at the boat. Alternatively, guests are welcome to bring food/drinks with them. More details of food and drink options available will be given to guests when booking.

Simply click “Enquire Now” to reserve your berth while you sort your travel plans. No booking form or payment is required until you are ready to book!

There are currently no voyages scheduled. Please get in touch with the VentureSail team to find out what’s available, or if other upcoming voyages might be suitable.
Call us in the Office on 01872 487288 or email [email protected], and we will be happy to help you find your next adventure!

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Pettifox

Guest berths: 4 Rig: Gaff Cutter

Pettifox was built on the Isles of Scilly in 1992. She was the last classic wooden boat of her kind to be built on the islands and is still sailing and exploring the Cornish coasts today. Offering guests a chance to experience life under sail in arguably one of the most beautiful sailing locations of the UK.

Perfect for a small group of friends or family, Pettifox is our fleet’s smallest boat but has been finished to a high standard, comfortably sleeping 4 guests.

Her easy rig makes her a dream to sail and the perfect boat to get involved with. Her Skipper Johnny has been sailing all his life making him the perfect guide to learning the ropes. That being said, she can be sailed single-handedly so if you simply want to sit back, relax and inhale that fresh sea air while taking in the views, that’s just fine too!

Below decks have been recently revamped to better use her space and offer guests a bijou but comfortable experience. A well-designed galley means cooking your own meals are easy and you can sit back and enjoy them on her beautifully bespoke oak plank table or perhaps on deck under the stars.

Sleeping arrangements are cosy with two single bunks in the fore cabin and two single bunks set back in the saloon. Two smaller bunks can be made available for children should you wish to bring the whole family. The crew have separate sleeping quarters and there is a toilet and pull out shower onboard too.

With consideration given to energy supply and consumption, she has even been set up to accommodate “off-grid” living so she can comfortably visit those remote locations with not a soul in sight.

She spends her sailing season with voyages exploring the coasts of Cornwall with a stint in the Isles of Scilly where you can fly direct to St Mary’s and meet her straight over there giving you maximum time to explore the islands!

More about Pettifox

Travel insurance notes

As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.

Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.

FAQ

• What COVID policies are in place for sailing with Pettifox?

  There are currently no Test & Sail policies in place for the 2022 season.

• Is there an age limit for children?

  We would recommend 5+ but this can be dependent on family experience so please check with the office.

• Are all meals included?

  No; a continental breakfast is offered by the Skipper. All other meals are to be eaten ashore at the guests expense.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Yes, Vegetarian diets can be accommodated. Please let us know at the time of booking of other dietary needs.

• What language is spoken onboard?

  English

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  4 adult berths (2x fore cabin bunks, 2x saloon bunks), a further 2 child bunks can be made available as needed.

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  1 bathroom with a pull out shower.

• Is there an age limit?

  Voyage dependent. Please check with the office.

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!

• Is there WIFI?

  No, but you should easily be able to reach 3G/4G from the shore.

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  When the boat is connected to shore power or the generator is on. Solar chargers can be a great alternative.

• Are bedding and towels provided?

  Bedding, yes - Towels, no

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  No, please bring your own.

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure and a want to get actively involved.

• 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.

Travel Planning

From: Fowey

To: Fowey

To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.

PARKING:

You can leave your car at any of the Long Stay car parks with a weekly or overnight ticket. You can pay using the JustPark app on your phone which can be easier. Try Readymoney (PL23 1JD) or Caffa Mill (PL23 1DF) car parks.

BY RAIL:

Fowey is just 5 miles / 15 mins by car from Par Station which is on the Southwest mainline. There are trains with Great Western Railway from the start/end of each line at Penzance, Cardiff Central and London Paddington. From here, it is a  short ride taxi into Fowey.

BY AIR:

Newquay Airport is 20 miles from Fowey, but is generally the quickest way into the county during the spring/summer months. You’d need to get a taxi (around 40-50 minutes) from the airport.

STAY IN FOWEY:

There are plenty of places to stay in Fowey. Try The Old Quay House, The King of Prussia or Havener’s.