Pilot Cutter Agnes - Classic Sailing

Pilot Cutter Agnes
SAIL WITH HER BOATBUILDER LUKE POWELL
CLASSIC SAILING
www.classic-sailing.co.uk Parton Vrane, Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5ET skippers@classic-sailing.co.uk +44 (0)1872 580022

Vessel Specialism
If we had to describe what it is like to sail with Luke on one of the
cutters he has built then ‘sailing with flamboyance and a sense of
fun’ would be one description, but this does not fully encompass the
depth of feeling Luke has for working boats, our maritime roots and
for beauty and design. Choosing Agnes for a sailing holiday is
probably the nearest you can get to going back in time 150 years.
The atmosphere created is not just because this wooden replica has
been carefully researched and based on an original Scillies pilot
cutter, or due to oil lamps below. It is because Luke sails as if he has
no engine and genuinely prefers a barrel windlass and Joanna has
lived on sailing trawlers with 100 year old timbers as her natural
home. They can immerse you in a world of wooden boats as if no
other type of sailing exists. Along the wild coastline of Cornwall,
Scillies, Wales and Ireland it is easy to become part of a continuing
seafaring saga on a boat like Agnes in the company Luke and Joanna.
“Luke Powell's influence on the renaissance of wooden
boatbuilding in this country cannot be under estimated and it
would be hard to find a more passionate spokesperson for
working wooden boats and traditional boat building.”
Dovecote Press 2012 on Luke’s book ‘Working Sail—a Life in Wooden Boats’
CLASSIC SAILING
What to Expect
46ft on deck Agnes is the largest wooden pilot cutter Luke Powell has
built so far, and is the much admired flagship of his boat building
company Working Sail. After building 8 pilot cutters, Luke and his wife
and business partner Joanna are keen to spend more time on the
water enjoying the fruits of their labours, and introducing guest crews
to their favourite sailing grounds on Agnes.
Gourmet Weekends & Short Breaks
Joanna loves cooking and will be running a few Gourmet Weekends
utilising the best of Cornish local products. During normal voyages
good food is very much part of the experience and Jo will prepare
freshly cooked meals which will taste even better after all that rope
pulling in the fresh air.
Summer Cruising the Edge of the Atlantic
We think it very unlikely you will find yourself in a marina.
www.classic-sailing.co.uk Parton Vrane, Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5ET skippers@classic-sailing.co.uk +44 (0)1872 580022

Learn about Historic Ports of Cornwall
Sail around on Agnes and understand the history beneath the
increasingly chic Cornish ports. In the photo above Agnes berths
alongside an old salt cellar dock in Fowey. Shipwrights like Luke
have spent years seeking out artisans and craftsmen that still work
in Cornish harbours or deep inland to create metal fitting or supply
specialist timbers. They often know plenty about past industry and
life in past centuries. Researching the working boats of Cornwall,
Brittany or Ireland has brought Luke into contact with many locals
with tales to tell of a bygone era.
Isles of Scilly
The Isles of Scilly are the spiritual home for Agnes, as this remote
archipelago was a key location for the pilot trade for over 100 years.
Any voyage to Scilly is a treat for wildlife lovers with a large seal
population, regular cetacean sightings and a breeding ground for
many seabirds in early summer.
“Awake your spirit of adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk
Soon you will be at home in a new rhythm
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.”
Part of a poem by John O’ Donohue, read at a pilot cutter Freja launch
Joanna’s home waters - Wales & Southern Ireland
Explore Pembrokeshire and the offshore islands of Skomer, Skokholm
and Grassholm. These three islands offer a wildlife experience like no
other. They are a designated sites of scientific interest and managed
by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. Guillemots, razorbills,
and puffins breed here, as do the nocturnal Manx shearwater and
storm petrels. Grassholm, 13 km off the coast, this is the 3 rd most
important site for gannets in the world. It is a short hop from South
Wales to Southern Ireland with good transport links back from Cork.
Brittany with a French speaking boatbuilder
Luke had a French girlfriend during his early boating adventures and
lived in Provence for a while, painting 50 oil paintings as part of a deal
to buy his first boat Charmian. After many years jousting with
French bowsprits at Festivals, Luke and Jo will be seeking out the
quieter side of Brittany and enjoying the seafood and the distinctive
culture of a seafaring nation that loves wooden boats.
pilot cutters luggers barques & brigs schooners trading ketches trawlers
www.classic-sailing.co.uk Parton Vrane, Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5ET skippers@classic-sailing.co.uk +44 (0)1872 580022

Agnes History
Browsing through a book on Scillies shipwrecks
revealed a beautiful but sad 1880’s photo of
pilot cutter Queen lying derelict on the beach
on St Martins. She was the inspiration for
Luke’s desire to build his biggest pilot cutter.
The original Agnes was built in 1850 on the
Isles of Scilly - the last Scillonian pilot cutter to
work out of the Isles under sail. Old logbooks,
photos and a model of a sister ship all helped
Luke build a replica pilot cutter to a higher level
of authenticity than before. In his book
“Working Sail - A Life in Wooden Boats” there is
a very moving chapter on Pilot Cutters of the
Scillies with amazing photos of St Marys Roads
full of sailing ships from around the empire.
Twice Across the Atlantic
Agnes was bought by an American and sailed to
New York for a life as a sail training ship. Luke
bought the boat off back the owner a few years
later when his plans failed to come to fruition.
Agnes crossed the Atlantic yet again, with the
Isles of Scilly and the Turks Head Inn on St
Agnes being the first port of call.
Vessel Specification
Year Built 2003
Construction Oak, opepe, larch
Home Port Falmouth
Length on deck 46ft
Beam 13ft 3”
Draft 8 ft 6”
Displacement tons 26 ton
Guest Crew Overnight 7 persons
Professional Crew skipper & cook
Max for day sails 12 persons
Hot Shower/toilet 1
Communications
VHF (DSC) radio
Accommodation
Below decks Agnes was originally fitted
out for sail training, but she has also
been Luke’s home. She is currently
being refitted for comfortable charter.
Safety
Agnes will be certified by the UK
Maritime Coastguard Agency for charter
voyages upto 60 miles from a safe
haven.
Buy the Book ‘Working Sail’
With a forward by both Tom Cunliffe and
actor Jeremy Irons, this book of a
remarkable life has sumptuous photos
of a life building wooden boats.
See www.classic-sailing.co.uk for shop
What to Bring
hands on traditional sailing
Shoes with a good grip e.g. trainers or sailing
deck shoes. Sandals are great for beaches but
you do need toe protection for sailing.
Rubber Boots or second pair of shoes* for
wet weather or getting in/out of dinghies
*Walking boots for sailing and walking trips or
Scillies voyages are also fine at sea on Agnes
solid wood decks
Swim suit & beach towel
Suntan lotion & sunglasses
Sun hat / warm hat, scarves, gloves
Clothes that dry quickly like fleeces. Mix of
warm, waterproof & windproof layers
Small rucksack for going ashore
Travel insurance documents/any travel tickets
Passport for French Voyages, Ireland or any 6
day voyage like Scillies where Brittany might
be an alternative option. On French voyages
Reciprocal Free Health Care Card for Europe.
Personal medicines/ spectacles/ seasick
tablets –check which brand if you suffer from
asthma or are on regular medication.
Camera/binoculars etc
There is limited storage space on Agnes so
please pack in a soft rucksack or bag.
Modest quantity of alcohol for evening meals
What is included
Offshore waterproof jacket and trousers
Pillows, pillowcase and bedding.
Sailing instruction
All meals on board
Wildlife Guide usually hired for day in Scillies
www.classic-sailing.co.uk Parton Vrane, Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5ET skippers@classic-sailing.co.uk +44 (0)1872 580022