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.

 

 

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

 

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

 

Length on deck 46’

Built 2003 by Luke Powell

Recognisable features: Large barrel windlass on foredeck

Who owns her now: Boatbuilder Luke owns his favourite pilot cutter and lives on board her.

Where does she sail: home base in Cornwall. Summer forays further afield

Can I sail on her ? Private owner

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

Merlin in 2009

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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.

 

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.

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

 

Built in Fleetwood 1904

Recognisable features: open decks and no doghouse. N on the main sail

Who owns her now: private dutch owner

Can I see the restoration ? Gweek Quay Boatyard

Can I sail on her ? No. Private owner

 

Length on deck @@ ’

Built@@ by . Restored by current owner Tony Winter

Recognisable features: 

Who owns her now: Private owner and currently for sale

Can I see the completed restoration ? contact owner or Neilsens boatyard Gloucester Docks

 

Length on deck @@ ’

Built@@ by .

Recognisable features: 

Who owns her now: 

Can I see the restoration ? contact owner or Neilsens boatyard Gloucester Docks

 

 

 

Olga

 

Breeze

 

Dolphin

 

Frolic

 

Letty

 

Madcap

 

Raider

 

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

 

Martin Heard GRP replica of St Malo Pilot Cutter

Currently for sale