Pilot Cutter Review

In June 2006 we celebrated Pilot Cutters and Pilot Gigs in St Mawes

As part of the Fal River Festival, Classic Sailing organised a celebration of the local pilot trade. Falmouth and St Mawes harboured both pilot gigs and sailing pilot cutters in the 19th Century. We saw a wonderful gathering of pilot cutters around the Fal with their distinctive pilot numbers on their sails, re in-acting the pilot dash to be first to get their pilots on an incoming ship. We raised awareness of the important role St Mawes (our home port) played in Falmouth’s pilot trade history. Not only were many pilot gigs built in St Mawes, but it made an ideal base for original Falmouth Pilot Cutters with a clear view of shipping out beyond the Manacles.
Bessie Ellen
1904 West Country Sailing Ship ‘Bessie Ellen’ took part throughout the waterborne event from 3-9th June, starring as a typical incoming sailing cargo ship that would have taken on pilot services, and gracing some of the smaller ports and anchorages of the Fal with her historic presence.

Mini Corporate Sailing - Networking Action
A special solution for small businesses in Cornwall and the South West

Cornwall has the largest number of the smallest businesses compared to any other region in the UK. A corporate event for the average Cornish Business (three people) is not normally possible but Classic Sailing have come up with a unique idea.

Many came with the other small businesses they work with or came on their own and meet other small business people from Cornwall and the South West. That's networking with action. They get to know people far more fully than you would with the odd word over a glass of wine at a network seminar and it was incredibly more exciting.
Team Building For Larger Corporate Organisations

Team Building Days Out: With blocks and tackles and many sails to play with our vessels are an ideal team building day out.
The Get the Pilot Aboard Event provides a unique opportunity for some dynamic companies or organisations to take part this exciting challenge. Bessie Ellen was also available for the race day (Wed 7th June) and those onboard enjoyed the pilot cutter racing at close hand with Adam as Skipper.