Our Boats
Our festival wouldn’t be the same without the spectacular boats who visit. We invite scores of historic and classic vessels to fill the harbour, re-creating the sights, smells and flavour of what was once an important, vibrant fishing port. Traditional wooden vessels, (from Brittany to Falmouth) are rigged with spars and tan sails and line the harbour wall. They then set out for an impressive parade of sail over the three days, a sight that stirs the heart of even the most hardened land lubber.
Boat Owners – we encourage you to please send us your details via the ‘Book your boat’ link on the homepage. We will do our very best to include your boat details on the website or in the festival catalogue.
Please note: the finer details of many of these vessels can be found through their skippers at the festival. As ever, the number of vessels attending is governed by the weather and we apologise in advance for any descriptive mistakes.
PLEASE NOTE – the boats shown below are from the 2026 festival.
Donna Capel
Donna Capel has a fascinating history. She was constructed under German licence in Ostende, Belgium, during 1943/44. The oak was pre-war timber, originally destined... Read more
Ellen
Ellen is an engineless Gorran Haven Crabber, one of four historic vessels that form part of the Cornish Maritime Trust. She was built in... Read more
Dreckly
Dreckly was built in 1998 by Martin Heard and is a 15ft GRP Cornish sailing punt with a standing lug rig. One size down... Read more
Erb-Yn-Dauz
Erb-Yn-Dauz is a 15ft Lymington Scow racing punt, with a balanced lug rig and dredging ‘wink’ fittings. Probably built and the 1950’s, she was lying... Read more
Drekly
Drekly is a 16ft Cornish randan punt – either an inshore pilot boat or “Tidewaiter punt ” used by Customs and Excise at the turn... Read more
Eve
Eve is a 5m 1910 sailing tosher, built with light carvel planks on steamed ribs, with a centreplate. She’s gaff rigged with a retractable bowsprit. Read more