Joining Eve of St Mawes

Eve of St Mawes was launched new in 1997, but her traditional wooden construction and working boat lines means many people mistake her for an older historic vessel. Built in the style of 1870’s pilot cutters from the Isles of Scilly, the boat builder Luke Powell (www.workingsail.co.uk) has skilfully recreated a very seaworthy thoroughbred. Eve is 38’ long on deck, but her bowsprit stretches this to 51’ overall and allows her to carry up to 3 headsails and 1200 square feet of sail. In stronger winds she is easily reefed and has a powerful steady motion that will help you find your sea-legs. Eve has an inflatable dinghy and outboard. If navigation fascinates you we have a full sized chart table, GPS, Radar, VHF radio, depth sounder and log, and if you want to have a go at manoeuvring her under power, Eve has a 42hp Diesel engine and is steered by tiller. Apart from the windlass, there are no winches on board. All sails are hoisted by block and tackles and teamwork.

Accommodation

Below decks you can marvel at the strong construction of this beautiful wooden vessel with oak frames, ekki deck beams and copper fastened larch planking. Eve is fitted out for both adventure sailing holidays and RYA courses. There is a large galley and oak dining table, a small library, a pressurised hot and cold water system, WC and shower. Please remember that for all her charm, Eve is still only a 38’ vessel so the living and sleeping area is fairly communal and as with most yachts privacy is limited. There are 2 single berths in the fore cabin, 3 single berths (2 wide ones) in the saloon, and a skippers berth and one large single or double at the stern. All berths have reading lights and we supply pillow cases and pillows, but you will need a sleeping bag. There is mostly standing headroom but several low beams !

Food & Alcohol

Adam and Debbie enjoy cooking and we pride ourselves on cooking fresh food. We can cater for vegetarians, special diets or allergies if you tell us on the booking form. We have a wide range of hot and cold drinks available but do not provide alcohol. You are welcome to bring modest quantities of alcohol e.g. wine for meals, but consumption will be at the discretion of the skipper for safety reasons.

Skippers

Your skipper will be either Adam or Debbie Purser, who have alternated skippering ‘Eve’ each week since 1997. Adam is the principal of Eve’s Sailing School and an RYA Yachtmaster instructor. Adam grew up in St Mawes messing about in boats, trained as an architect, then ran his own business in Derbyshire for 15 years. With a passion for square riggers, Adam sailed and worked on a number of tall ships, before returning to St Mawes with Debbie to set up Classic Sailing. Debbie has a Commercial Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate, and previously worked for Ocean Youth Club taking young people offshore sailing in Europe and the Indian Ocean. She has also taught rock climbing, dinghy sailing, windsurfing, working at several outdoor pursuits centres, but was originally a landscape architect. They both love cooking, watching wildlife, and coastal walking.

What is Included

Our voyage fees cover all sailing instruction on board, mooring and marina fees, all soft drinks and meals aboard. On longer trips we may collectively decide to go out for a crew meal ashore, or stay ashore for lunch, but there is always plenty of food on board. We don’t charge for use of waterproofs (sizes s-xl).

St Mawes—Home of the Pilot Cutter
The seafaring Village of St Mawes offers a commanding view of the approaches to Falmouth, which is why in the 1870’s it was once home to many of the registered Falmouth Pilot Cutters.

Within St Mawes there are those who’s relatives sailed or built the original pilot cutters, so it is not surprising that Eve has been adopted by the local community in her home port. They are pleased to see a pilot cutter once more in the bay—working for her living, so our guests always get a friendly welcome.

What to Bring
N.B. BOATS HAVE LIMITED STORAGE SPACE SO PLEASE LIMIT YOURSELF TO ONE SOFT BAG OR RUCKSACK (not suitcases).

Sleeping bag (pillow & pillow case provided)

We supply offshore waterproof jackets and trousers (sizes S-XL), but you can bring your own. Please contact us if you have chest size bigger than 50’ or are very tiny !

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 alterative 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.

For sailing & Walking voyages / Scillies – Walking boots are useful and can be these can be worn on Eve’s deck too (over 1” thick planking with a non slip paint).

A small rucksack is useful for going ashore – especially on sailing and walking and Scillies voyages.

Camera, binoculars, sketchbook, a relaxing read.

Passport for French Voyages, (an E111 Form from Post Office - Reciprocal Free Health Care in Europe) E111 New Edition 2005

(Please bring a passport on Scillies, RYA courses or other 6-7 day voyages so Brittany can be an alternative option)

Any medication, spare spectacles. Seasick tablets - check with your Doctor, which brand if you suffer asthma or are on medication.

RYA Cruising Logbook for RYA Courses.

Musical instruments are always welcome.

Alcohol – we do not sell alcohol on board, but you are welcome to bring modest quantities e.g. to drink with meals, but consumption will be at the discretion of the instructor / skipper for safety reasons

Where and when to Meet

Please be ready with your luggage on the end of St Mawes Quay -where the Falmouth Ferry comes in -between
14:45 & 15:00 hrs.

St Mawes Quay is not very big so we will probably find you.

If it is high tide we may bring Eve alongside, or we will pick you up in a large blue rowing boat with No 8 on the bow. If you can’t find us please ask the harbourmaster. If you think you might be late please leave a message on the office phone 01872 58 00 22. The staff may not be in the office on changeover days, but we check messages if you are missing !