Provident Brixham Trawler Sailing Ketch

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Sailing Ketch Provident

Provident was built in 1924, one of the last sailing trawlers to be commissioned. She is one of the medium-sized 'Mule' class trawlers, slightly smaller than Leader, but with a similar gaff ketch rig. She was built at the yard of J. Sanders in Galmpton, the same yard where Leader and Golden Vanity were built (Leader when the yard was owned by the Gibbs family).

She was sold into private ownership in the 1930s, and was used as a yacht until 1952, when she was acquired by the Island Cruising Club, based in Salcombe. She now has over half a century in use as a charter and sail training vessel in South Devon.

Provident is 70' long on deck, and 90' overall. She displaces about 80 tonnes in sailing trim. She has a beam of 18' and a draft of 8'6".

Down below, Provident has been fitted out for her modern role. She has accommodation for twelve guests and four crew, a large saloon area, a galley with a large, gas cooker, two heads, a hot shower, and a generator that supplies a ring main with 240v electricity. She has a well equipped nav. station with modern navigation equipment including Radar, GPS and DSC VHF Radio.

 Provident was one of the mid-size sailing trawlers, known as a 'Mule'.

The Rig

Provident is rigged now just as she was when she fished under sail early last century. She has a 'Gaff Rig', indicating that the Main and Mizzen sails are hoisted using a 'gaff', a spar attached to their upper side. The Ketch rig (two masts) was used to divide up the sail area, making each sail easier to handle by a small crew. The large number of sails (up to eight) makes it easy to 'change gear' by hoisting or lowering sails as required, depending upon the strength of the wind.

The Ketch rig is very versatile; good in light winds, when extra sails can be set (such as flying jib, mizzen topsail and mizzen staysail), good in heavy winds (she can sail under mizzen and staysail alone) and good for manoeuvring (the mizzen can be used to help to balance and turn the boat).

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