Falmouth Working Boats

Sometimes all it takes to brighten the mood is a video of a class of topsail cutters, crews working hard, these powerful sailing craft cutting deep furrows, their jaunty bowsprits leading the way as they bash upwind, .

A video of Falmouth Working Boats racing with their big rigs combined with insightful interviews of those involved with the class:

Falmouth Week 2014 - Falmouth Working Boats - The Highlights from Liz George on Vimeo.

A drawing of the Falmouth Working Boat shows a full keel, broad shoulders, narrowish stern and cutter sections of the traditional English fishing boats

The St. Mawes Sailing Club has this warning to spectators, particularly those who are watching the Falmouth Working Boat racing from a boat:

"A final cautionary note to add is that most Working Boats carry no engine and under full racing sail they are a handful for even the most experienced sailor. A long keel and limited visibility to leeward for the helmsman means that manoeuvrability is limited especially on crowded start lines or amongst moorings. I would recommend viewing from a distance and marvel at the skill of the top skippers as they navigate their way through the obstacle course that is the Carrick Roads on a summer's day.

This post treads on territory much better covered by English blogger, Max, over at Busledon Blog. (See his post on the Falmouth Working Boats and Oyster Festival.)