45′ Gaff Rigged Cutter

Wooden Ships Comments on this 45′ Gaff Rigged Cutter

This 45′ gaff cutter was inspired by the lines of a Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter called Hilda, the builder and owner employed a naval architect to slightly alter the lines in order to get more internal volume and therefore more accommodation than the original working boat.  The underwater lines are barely altered, however the topsides have been increased by one plank and the exaggerated sheer flattened a little which has created a cavernous interior space making her a very comfortable boat.

Built by the owner over a period of time, the keel was laid down in April 2006 and the hull was launched in summer 2012, however she was officially commissioned  and finished in 2014.  The owner trained as a shipwright with Hillyards from an early age and went on to run a very successful large scale carpentry business so has a wealth of knowledge and skills which he employed to build this very fine yacht.  Every tree was carefully chosen to ensure the timber that went into her was just right, the larch was all felled on an estate in southern England specially for this boat, and the choice of materials for fastenings and fixings is such that she is built to last.

The design strays away from the traditional pilot cutter in a very effective way, taking the best features of those seaworthy work boats that have been tested over time, but adding to them to make an excellent boat for modern cruising and sailing.  The most notable addition is the doghouse which provides an excellent sheltered area and still allows the occupants to be on deck where they can enjoy the passing scenery.  It also allows easy and safe access below decks without having to scramble in and out of a narrow sliding hatch and gives two extra sea berths if necessary.  The hydraulic wheel steering is set on a box on the aft deck with the wheel facing forward so the helmsman can sit astride the box in a safe, secure and comfortable manner with the wheel forward of him.  The hydraulics have been carefully balanced so as to make the feedback as good as possible but they still allow for easy control of the big rudder even when handling in close quarters under power.

The boat has been cruised extensively around the UK and northern Europe since her launch with trips to Scotland, West Country and across the Channel.  Proven to be a safe, comfortable and fast boat that turns many heads

Length on Deck                                 45’7″

Length Waterline                             40′

Beam                                                    13’2″

Draft                                                      7’8″