Lizzie May and the Western Isles of Scotland

Lizzie May sister ship to Eve of St Mawes sailing together in the Fal with St Mawes in the background.

Lizzie May—Specifications

Lizzie May was built new in 1999 by Luke Powell of Working Sail using traditional construction techniques to create a wooden pilot cutter with real character. Her frames are oak with larch planking and hardwood deck. Lizzie is 42ft on deck with a long 13ft bowsprit and lofty topmast. Her beam of 12ft gives her plenty of flat deck space and her low profile coach house is barely visible so all onlookers see is a traditional boat with lovely sheer lines. The coach house also provides outward facing seating so you wont miss the scenery.

All the rigging is ash blocks and tackles so you wont be sitting down for long. There are no winches on board so everybody keeps warm and active pulling together. Sailing in Scotland requires a good anchor and true to her working boat origins Lizzie May has a barrel windlass to raise the anchor. The vessel weighs 18 ton with a long deep keel—ideal for open sea sailing. The large mainsail can be slab reefed and even the staysail can be reefed in strong winds, so with a storm jib too she can make the most of the wilder days.. On light wind days she can glide up the lochs and narrows with a large flying jib and gaff topsail.

Below Decks

Below decks is very light with loads of character and varnished wood. There are two single berths in the forepeak, three berths in the saloon and a double berth in the starboard quarter with limited headroom (back of the boat). Please remember this is only a 42ft boat with an elegant raked stern so spaces are communal, there are a few low beams and limited storage.
Lizzie has a lovely oak table, a small heater in the saloon, hot and cold water, a shower and WC, galley and modern navigational equipment. She carries all safety equipment required for her commercial coding under the MCA (Marine Coastguard Agency) and licensed to sail offshore up to 60 miles from a safe haven.

What to bring

Boats have very limited stowage space so please limit yourself to one soft collapsible bag or rucksack (not a suitcase).
Bring a sleeping bag (we provide pillows and pillow cases).
We can supply waterproof jackets and trousers but you may prefer to bring your own if you have them.
A hat for sun or cold weather.
Swimsuit, towel and sun cream.
Flat shoes with a good grip e.g. trainers or deck shoes. Sailing boots or wellies as the sea can wash over the deck (an alternative to boots in the summer is another pair of trainers in case the first pair get wet).
A small rucksack is useful for going ashore.
Camera, binoculars, sketchbook and a good read.
Any medication, spare spectacles, seasick tablets (check which brand with your doctor if you are on any medication)

RYA Cruising Logbook if you are keeping a record of your experience for qualification purposes.

Musical instruments are most welcome.

Click on a voyage number to check availability

LM909	Fri 3 July 10am	Mon 6 July 5pm	4	Oban	Oban	£390	Crinan Classics - A small but fun Maritime Festival in Crinan
LM 912	Fri 31 July 10am	Mon 3 August 5pm	4	Oban	Largs	£390	West Coast Cruising Jura, Gigha, Mull of Kintyre & Arran
LM 913	Fri 14 Aug 10am	Sun 16 Aug 5pm	3	Largs	Largs	£340	Scottish Weekend Breaks Based in Largs on the Firth of Clyde for most the season Lizzie May is easy to reach from Glasgow and has superb sailing grounds on her doorstep. Delight in open sea sailing under the mountain ridges of Arran, along the Mull of Kintyre peninsula or the gannet colony on Ailsa Craig.
LM 914	Fri 28 Aug 10am	Mon 30 Aug 5pm	3	Largs	Largs	FULL
LM 915	Fri 11 Sep 10am	Sun 13 Sep 5pm	3	Largs	Largs	£320
LM 916	Fri 25 Sep 10am	Sun 27 Sep 5pm	3	Largs	Largs	£320
LM 917	Fri 9 Oct 10am	Sun 11 Oct 5pm	3	Largs	Largs	£320
LM 918	Fri 23 Oct 10am	Sun 25 Oct 5pm	3	Largs	Largs	£320