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Discover the magic of the River Fal aboard Drifter, our beautifully restored sailing barge. Immerse yourself in Cornwall's spectacular nature and rich heritage as you sail its sheltered waters, surrounded by lush landscapes and abundant wildlife.
Join us for a relaxed sailing experience that everyone, from young adventurers to seasoned explorers, will love. We especially welcome those who have never sailed before.
No experience neeeded, the crew take care of all the sailing.
---- Over 100 5* reviews across ----
Please use our CONTACT form or call / message 07588 971357 
to easily schedule or be added to an upcoming trip.
Give the gift of an unforgettable river adventure with our beautifully designed tour vouchers, perfect for treating family and friends.
Whether it's a shared sailing experience or a private exclusive hire, we offer vouchers for everything from a 2-hour escape to a full-day journey on the water.
The very special experience of sailing on the River Fal
More about experience day vouchers
Great for family, friends, couples, or a special event
Bring along a picnic or Champagne, stopping at anchor in one of the Fal's beautiful bays.
A chance to visit a rarely visited arm of the river, or to sail amongst the active harbour events.
"Lucy and Angus - We can’t recommend this trip highly enough, Neil and Debbie’s boat is beautiful and this was a really magical way of exploring more of the river and learning about the Roseland and Lizard. They were great hosts and were very knowledgeable about the river’s history and ecology which made the sail even more interesting. We were even lucky enough to have gorgeous weather! Thank you!"
"Hi Neil and Debbie, Many thanks for such a wonderful and memorable experience on your beautiful sailing boat ‘Drifter’.
It was magical to be in nature so close to basking seals, seeing many interesting birds even curlews and learn about the amazing history of the area. Thanks again Best Wishes
Jeanette, Pierre and Ellie"
"We can highly recommend Sailing barge Drifter. It was an amazing experience and the barge is a dream boat. The feeling of sheer tranquility was overwhelming and it must be one of the most relaxing few hours spent in a long time for us. Forget Spas and massage and go enjoy messing about on the river. Neil and Debbie gave us a trip to remember and we can’t wait to do it again. Lesley and Alistair."
"Hi Debbie and Neil,
Brilliant time today. Thank you very much although I had to put up with Phil singing "We are sailing" all the way home in the car ! He really appreciated the day. You made the birthday gift special.
Best wishes
Avril & Phil"
Wonderful Sailing Experience
Perfect day out on the river
A highlight of the holiday
Neil and Debbie are dedicated to making every moment of your time aboard truly exceptional. As your local river guides on the Drifter, they handle all sailing tasks, from hoisting to lowering the sails, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.
With over 20 years of professional experience, Neil and Debbie have sailed an impressive range of boats, from historic classics to cutting-edge modern yachts, across stunning locations in Europe, the Caribbean, and the USA.
When it came time to choose their own vessel, they selected a sailing barge—a nod to their love for traditional ships. This choice reflects their passion for comfortable, social sailing and their desire for a boat that excels both in inland and coastal waters. The barge's design makes it perfectly suited to the Fal Estuary, allowing them to offer truly unique sailing adventures.
Neil, a qualified 'Yachtmaster Ocean' with over 50,000 sea miles, left a career in IT for a life on the water after a transformative sabbatical in 2000. Debbie, who also holds a skipper’s license, brings extensive experience in care and hospitality. Their shared love for sailing began when they met on a historic Thames sailing barge, and they later celebrated their marriage in the winter, too busy sailing in the summer to plan a traditional wedding.
Now, the River Fal is their home, and their passion for sharing this breathtaking area and their extensive local knowledge is evident to everyone they encounter.
We start and finish our sailing trips at Malpas marina near Truro, located in the beautiful upper reaches of the Fal
Malpas is an easy drive from all locations in Cornwall.
Satnav postcode is TR1 1SW. There is free parking alongside the road either side of The Heron Inn.
There is a coffee shop with toilet facilities at the marina (we also have a toilet onboard), and an award winning inn very close by.
To purchase an experience gift voucher, please contact us.
For 'share the sail' trips please enquire about our upcoming trip schedule.
For 'exclusive hire' please contact us with your desired date or week you would like to sail. We recommend booking these trips well in advance.
We will accommodate your trip taking best advantage of tides on the day.
Look forward to a beautiful day on the water.
Please use one of the methods below to contact us!
Your 
app: sailingbargedrifter@gmail.com
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07588 971357