Directory: Pilot Cutters of Europe
Pilot Cutter Revival
Latest additions: Freja - New build, launched in 2012, Edith Grey - New Build, launched in 2011. Alpha - latest restoration completed in 2010. Letty - restoration started at Mylor Bridge in 2011.
Classic Boat magazine readers regularly chose pilot cutters – both originals and replicas - in their choice of favourite Classics amongst the vast choice of historic ships and elegant yachts, so what is their appeal and why have so many new wooden pilot cutters been built in the last 15 years ?
When Adam and Debbie Purser went to look at ‘Eve of St Mawes’ whilst it was being built speculatively by Luke Powell of Working Sail, we fell in love with the chunky purposefulness of the hull. Here was a boat that could work hard for a living, and had stunning simple lines which had evolved from decades of seafarers experience working their trade(fishermen and pilots) in the rough Western Approaches. In 1996 apart from similar pilot cutters being built in Canada using laminated construction, we were not aware of anyone building wooden working replicas using traditional construction methods in the UK. Luke’s second pilot cutter – again built speculatively – took a long time to sell, and we could not understand why nobody seemed to want to buy such a practical work of art and craftsmanship.
Refitting at Gweek we also saw a few committed people restoring original pilot cutters – Kindly Light, Marianne, and a new keel for Marguerite. If was fascinating to see the differences in hull shape, as the pilots strived to find the right balance between speed and seaworthiness.
Now we are pleased to see a revival of interest in wooden boat ownership, and in particular it seems pilot cutters are the design of choice for those with a boat building project in mind. In 2008 a record four new pilot cutters have been launched by different boat builders – Polly Agatha, Tallulah, Pegasus and Mischief. Original French pilot cutter Marie Fernand is also due to be re launched at Brest 08 festival.
Some of the photos below might explain why.
Owners Please update us if any of the information is out of date.
New Wooden Pilot Cutter Replicas
Working Sail Ltd. Luke Powell shipwright
Eve of St Mawes
Length on deck 38’Built 1997 by Luke Powell
Recognisable features: Eve on the main sail. Light blue hull.
Who owns her: Classic Sailing-our own charter boat and RYA teaching vessel for the last 11 years
Where does she sail: Based in St Mawes - Cornwall, Brittany and the Isles of Scilly
Can I sail on her ? Yes through Classic Sailing. Tel: 01872 580022 or on line www.classic-sailing.co.uk
Lizzie May
Length on deck 42’Built 1998 by Luke Powell
Recognisable features: Very raked fan tail counter stern
Who owns her now: Clyde Classic Sailing – working with Cornwall based Classic Sailing to bring you sailing holidays in Scotland. Now run by one of our past customers.
Where does she sail: Currently in Cornwall, but will sail West Coast of Scotland as home base.
Can I sail on her ? Yes through Classic Sailing. Tel: 01872 580022 or on line www.classic-sailing.co.uk
Agnes
Length on deck 46’Built 2003 by Luke Powell
Recognisable features: Large barrel windlass on foredeck. Flys outrageous flags. Hull currently green and black.
Who owns her now: Boatbuilder Luke owns his favourite pilot cutter and uses her to demo his pilot cutter designs.
Where does she sail: home base in Cornwall. Summer forays further afield Isles of Scilly, Ireland, Pembrokeshire, Brittany
Can I sail on her ? Yes through Classic Sailing. Tel: 01872 580022 or on line www.classic-sailing.co.uk
Owned and skippered by designer and builder Luke Powell. Womens voyages possible with Joanna Powell.
Interested in commissioning a new pilot cutter or wooden traditional vessel of any size then contact Luke and Jo at www.workingsail.co.uk
Hesper
Length on deck 44 ’Built 2006 by Luke Powell
Recognisable features: Black hull with white stripe. Sometimes flies a large lug topsail
Who owns her now: Private owners
Where does she sail: Based in Fowey, Cornwall.
Can I sail on her ? Private owners
Ezra
Length on deck 44 ’
Built 2006 by Luke Powell
Recognisable features: Powerful beamy hull with lots of deck space and elegant lute stern.
Who owns her now: Sail Ezra – Sam and Ingrid
Where does she sail: charter boat based at Ardfern. Sailing and mountaineering voyages.
Can I sail on her ? Yes – give us a ring on 01872 580022 for further information
Can I buy her ? Yes currently for sale.
Tallulah
Length on deck 44 ’
Built 2008 by Luke Powell
Recognisable features: White hull
Who owns her now: private owners
Where does she sail:
Can I sail on her ? private owners
Amelie Rose launched in 2009
Length on deck
Built 2009 by Luke Powell
Recognisable features:
Who owns her now: Nick & Melissa
Where does she sail: charter boat based on South Coast and famous for BBC Hungry Sailor programme with Dick Strawbridge.
Can I sail on her ? Yes– give us a ring on 01872 580022 for further information
NEW Freja - launched in 2012
Runner up in Classic Boat Award for New Build for over 30ft Catagory 2012
Length on deck 42'
Built 2012 by Luke Powell
Recognisable features: light sea green hull and lovely little clinker tender
Who owns her: Anders & Marion
Where does she sail: Europe - Cornwall to Sweden
Can I sail on her ? No - private owners
Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding
Polly Agatha
Length on deck 45’
Built 2008 Cockwells, Penryn
Recognisable features: white hull and PA on the main sail
Who owns her now: charter company
Where does she sail: based on Solent
Can I sail on her ? Yes – give us a ring on 01872 580022 for further information
Can I buy her ? YES currently for sale
Two more wooden pilot cutter commissions in the pipeline at Cockwells.
Merlin in 2009
Length on deck
Built Nov 2009 Cockwells, Penryn
Recognisable features: light blue hull
Who owns her now:
Where does she sail:
Can I sail on her ? Investigating – give us a ring on 01872 580022 for further information
Covey Island Boatyard, Nova Scotia
Iris
Length on deck 40 ’
Built 1997 Westerman design by Nigel Irens. Built by Covey Island Boatyard, Nova Scotia
Recognisable features: laminated wood construction.
Who owns her now: Private owners in UK
Where does she sail:
Can I sail on her ? Private owners
Westermann
Length on deck 40’
Built 1998 ? Westerman design by Nigel Irens. Built by Covey Island Boatyard, Nova Scotia.
Recognisable features: tan sails
Who owns her now: famous yachting journalist and writer many sailing books like Hand Reef & Steer – Tom Cunliffe
Where does she sail: Based on Isle of Wight.
Can I sail on her ? Private owners - think she is currently for sale.
Eleanor Mary
Length on deck 54 ’
Built 1998 ? Westerman design by Nigel Irens. Built by Covey Island Boatyard, Nova Scotia
Recognisable features:
Who owns her now: Private owners
Where does she sail:
Can I sail on her ? Has been a charter boat. Current status unknown
Chance
Length on deck 40 ’
Built 2000 Westerman design by Nigel Irens. Built by Covey Island Boatyard, Nova Scotia
Recognisable features:
Who owns her now: Private owners
Where does she sail: Bermuda based
Can I sail on her ? private owners
Alice Wragg
Length on deck 40 ’
Built 1999 Westerman design by Nigel Irens. Built by Covey Island Boatyard, Nova Scotia
Recognisable features:
Who owns her now: Private owners
Where does she sail: based in Bristol
Can I sail on her ? private owners
Bristol Classic Boat Company
Pegasus
Length on deck 56 ’
Built 2008 by Bristol Classic Boat Company. Designed by Ed Burnett
Recognisable features: Green Hull. Letter B for Bristol on the sail
Who owns her now: Island Trust
Where does she sail: Based in Salcombe, Devon.
Can I sail on her ? Yes. Youth Sail Training Boat & charter. Give us a ring on 01872 580022 for further information
RB Boatbuilding, Bristol
Mischief
Length on deck 45 ’
Built 2008 by RB Boatbuilding, Bristol
Recognisable features: yellow hull
Who owns her now: Mischief Expeditions
Where does she sail: Scotland
Can I sail on her ? Not currently chartering. Give us a ring on 01872 580022 for further information
Morwenna
Length on deck
Built 2009 by RB Boatbuilding, Bristol
Recognisable features: black hull. M of Morwenna on the sail
Who owns her now: charter company
Where does she sail: Based in Solent
Can I sail on her ? Yes. Give us a ring on 01872 580022 for further information
NEW Edith Grey
Length on deck 38ft
Built by RB Boatbuilding in 2011.
Won Classic Sailing Pilot Cutter Review in 2011 and 2012
Recognisable features,
Restored original pilot cutters - out there sailing
Jolie Brise
Length on deck 56 ’
Le Harve Pilot Cutter built 1913
Recognisable features: Tan Sails with DS 2 on mainsail
Who owns her now: Dauntsey School
Where does she sail: Sail training vessel. Based on south Coast
Can I sail on her ? Owned by Private school
Baroque
Length on deck 50’
Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter Built 1902 in Cardiff
Recognisable features: black hull – no engine
Who owns her now: Swedish owners
Where does she sail: Charter boat based near Stockholm
Can I sail on her ? Yes. Give us a ring on 01872 580022 for further information
Marguerite
Length on deck 53 ’
Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter Built ? Restored by Covey Island and current owners.
Recognisable features: Light and dark grey hull. Cf on mainsail
Who owns her now: Private owners
Where does she sail: Based in Flushing, Falmouth.
Can I sail on her ? Private owners
Mascotte
Length on deck 60 ’
One of the largest Bristol channel Pilot Cutters Built in @@ by .
Restored by current owner
Recognisable features: Black hull. N on the mainsail.
Who owns her now: private owner leased to Sail training & Charter company
Where does she sail: Based in Scotland
Can I sail on her ? available for group charter Give us a ring on 01872 580022 for further information
Peggy (ex Wave)
Length on deck @@ ’
Built@@ by .
Recognisable features: Light Blue hull with high sweep to bows.
Who owns her now: Private owners
Where does she sail: Based in Bristol Channel area
Can I sail on her ? Private owner.
Dolphin
Length on deck @@ ’
Built@@ by
Recognisable features:
Who owns her now: Private owner
Where does she sail: has been to Svalbard recently see Classic Boat Magazine Article
Can I sail on her ? Private owner.
Marie Fernand
Length on deck 54 ’
Built 1894 in Le Harvre. Restored and launched at Brest 08 Festival
Recognisable features: Cream sails – pilot cutter number H23
Who owns her now: Association L’Hirondelle de la Manche ?
Where does she sail: France
Can I see her ? Sail on Eve at St Malo Pilot Cutter Rally & race with Marie Fernand.
Alpha
Built in Fleetwood 1904
Recognisable features: open decks and no doghouse. N on the main sail
Who owns her now: private dutch owner
Recently Restored at Gweek Quay Boatyard & relaunched in 2010.
Can I sail on her ? No. Private owner but Wilhem often sails in Cornwall
Cornubia (was also called Hirta)
Length on deck @@ ’
Restored by current owner Tony Winter. Relaunched in 2010. Won Classic Sailing Pilot Cutter Review in 2010.
Recognisable features:
Who owns her now: Private owner and also sails with young people.
Contact owner or Neilsens boatyard Gloucester Docks
Originals being restored
Kindly Light
Length on deck @@ ’
Built@@ by . Restoration at Gweek Quay Boatyard
Recognisable features:
Who owns her now: Private owner
Can I see the restoration ? Contact Gweek Quay Boatyard
Cariad
Length on deck @@ ’
Built@@ by .
Recognisable features:
Who owns her now:
Can I see the restoration ? contact owner or Neilsens boatyard Gloucester Docks
Carlotta
Letty
Currently undergoing restoration by owner at Mylor Bridge, Falmouth.
Surviving Originals but Status Unknown
Olga
Breeze
Dolphin
Frolic
Madcap
Raider
Steel and Full size GRP Pilot Cutter Replicas
Annabel J
Length on deck 54 ’
Steel Hull based on Marguerite T. Built
Recognisable features: Cream sails with AJ on mainsail
Who owns her now: Phil Cogdell and partners
Where does she sail: Charter boat based on the Hamble. Sails south coast, France, Channel Isles
Can I sail on her ? Yes through Classic Sailing. Tel: 01872 580022 or on line www.classic-sailing.co.uk
Marie Claude
Martin Heard GRP replica of St Malo Pilot Cutter
Recently sold to UK owner.
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Classic Sailing
Parton Vrane, Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5ET
Tel 0044 (0) 1872 580022
skippers@classic-sailing.co.uk