Brixham Trawler exploring the Isles of Scilly in Summer holidays.

Sail to the Isles of Scilly on a Brixham Trawler

 This archipelago of granite islands will take your breath away with their natural beauty and island hopping on an eye-catching boat will provide you with images you will always treasure. The offshore passage from Falmouth goes around mainland Britain’s most southerly point – The Lizard, past Wolf Rock. Still going almost due West we go south of Lands End and across to the Isles of Scilly. This voyage can be challenging or totally benign, but it is a route rich in sea mammals - we often see basking sharks, dolphins, and pilot whales, as well as a wealth of ocean seabirds.

The thrill of spotting the Isles of Scilly when this fascinating archipelago first appears over the horizon never goes away, however many times you visit. Choosing and making your destination in the Scillies is greatly cherished because not only do you arrive in style under sail but you have been part of the journey, your effort and team work has made it possible.

Choice of traditional ship to explore the Scillies

Passage making on a larger ship like Leader (or Bessie Ellen) is less of a challenge if the seas are a bit rough as 110 tons of wooden ship can push through the waves easier with a decent wind than some of our smaller vessels.  The advantage of our pilot cutters like Annabel J and Eve is that they can get into more intimate anchorages. 

All our voyages to the Scillies are in the summer, but the archipelago has many rocky reefs and strong tides so  if there are gales or heavy ocean swell then the skipper may have to seek more sheltered sailing grounds. 

Where might Leader anchor ?

Leader has a big ships windlass and a lot of chain so she can anchor in deeper places where Eve of AJ could not, including many spots in St Mary's Sound where the gig rowing takes place. Her overall length and impressive bowspit means she cannot easily fit into the smaller coves, but she has a large zodiac able to take crews ashore from quite far out.

St Helens Pool under the sweep of Round Island lighthouse has historically provided an anchorage for much bigger sailing ships than Leader and there is sometimes anchor space north of Cromwell's Castle in the fjord like passage between Tresco and Bryher; She can anchor close to Hugh Town harbour if the wind is from the South East or relatively calm; or chill out amongst the uninhabited Eastern Isles with only seals and Peregrine Falcons for company. The white glittering sands are reminiscent of the Seychelles, the turquoise waters are crystal clear, but the water temperature is refreshingly British! It is a paradise for divers so if you are into snorkelling please feel free to bring masks and wetsuits.

Exploring ashore is a key part of the holiday with tropical Tresco Abbey Gardens to visit, or you can wander lonely as a cloud over purple heathland or beach comb amongst the oystercatchers. The pilotage between the islands is complex and fascinating if you are interested in navigation. We sail when the tides or winds are right, either between the islands or around the edges. Seals and dolphins are quite common in the Scillies and there are many seabirds and visiting migrant birds using the islands as a stepping stone or breeding ground.

photo by Will Wagstaff: larger vessels in New Grimsby Sound between Tresco and Brhyer

Experience Needed

There is no experience needed for Isles of Scilly voyages on Bessie Ellen but we rank them as a harder than normal voyage. Sailing to the Scillies from St Mawes involves a 60-70 mile passage each way, which usually takes 10-15 hours sailing, which can be very tiring if you have never sailed before. Much of the passage is out of sight of land, and if we encounter unexpected rough weather it can take many hours before we reach a sheltered harbour.

Island Life Dependant on Boats

Everything is dictated by the tides and life revolves around boats. The locals go to work on the inter island ferries, goods are transported by boat and only St Marys has proper roads and cars.

In the Scillies there are no marinas or places where Leader can tie alongside, so there is a lot of getting in and out of dinghies, and the anchorages are typically remote with limited or no facilities ashore.

In the Scillies the pilot trade with gigs and sailing pilot cutters was the main economy for 100 years but these long, fast boats with six oarsmen were used for all manner of jobs from rescuing stricken sailors from the many ship wrecks to smuggling runs accross the Channel. Considering that it is "35 leagues" from Scilly to Ushant (over 100 miles) you begin to appreciate how tough it was to live on these beautiful islands, and why the islanders are a hardy breed and race so competitively

Major Brixham Trawler Restoration 2012

Leader was built in 1892 and is probably the hardest working example of the few surviving wooden sailing trawlers in the UK. Under her current ownership she has been treated to several major refits which both retain her authentic historic hull and rig, and enable her to be sailed to her full potential for both youth sail training and adult adventure voyages. Over the winter of 2011-2012 she will have undergone £200 000 of shipwright work to completely re deck and strengthen her upper hull.  This  complements the complete re fastening and considerable re planking of her underwater hull.  She still carries the patina of history and signs of a hard working life for over 118 years, but you will also be sailing a newly restored 'thoroughbred'.

Chef on board

Leader has a skipper, mate, cook and usually at least one deckhand so you will be well looked after, and the meals around the huge wood table are legendary. On adult charters there is usually wine for evening meals to buy but you are also welcome to bring your own.  Help with washing up is appreciated and part of keeping the ship running well and maximising the sailing time.

Weather

Please remember this is an active adventure holiday, influenced greatly by winds and tides. In the event of prolonged bad weather the Isles of Scilly can become unsuitable as a sailing area for all sizes of vessel and the skipper may have to seek more sheltered sailing grounds.

6 page mini-brochure about our Isles of Scilly voyages as a printable PDF

For further information on the Isles of Scilly please click here

  gig boat 'Men A Vaur' womens team practicing in New Grimsby Sound.