01872 580022
skippers@classic-sailing.co.uk

Provident Brixham Trawler Sailing Ketch

Leader Brixahm Sailing Trawler

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'.

Official Number	139433
Port of Registry	Brixham
Builder	J Sanders , Galmpton, Devon
Date Launched	1924
Original Fishing Number	BM28
Radio Call Sign	MIGB
Gross Registered Tonnage	41.62
Net Registered Tonnage	34.43
Length Overall including spars	27.56	90' 5"
Length of Hull	21.51 m	70' 6"
Length of Waterline	18.29 m	60' 0"
Maximum Beam	5.49 m	18' 0"
Maximum Draft	2.83 m	9' 4"
Working Sail Area	180 sq m	1940 sq ft
Maximum Sail Area	280 sq m	3010 sq ft
Displacement	85 tonnes	93 tons
Ballast	10 tonnes	11 tons
Engine - Gardner 6LX 6 Cylinder	89 kW	120 Hp
Water Capacity	1,957 litres	431 gals
Fuel Capacity	950 litres	209 gals

The Rig

Provident is rigge Zennor sailing on Provident d 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).