Percy Dalton Gaff Cutter

Wooden Ships Comments on this Percy Dalton Gaff Cutter

Built by Dartmouth based shipwright Peter Nash in Dartmouth in 1979-1980 to a design by Cornish naval architect Percy Dalton based on the Bristol Channel pilot cutters and the West Country sailing fishing boats.   Long keel with pronounced rocker, straight stem and transom stern with elegant tumble-home and rudder hung on the transom.  The underwater shape of this yacht gives some clue as to the very impressive performance and sailing capabilities which have gained her such a fantastic reputation over the years.

One of the most remarkable gaff cutters in UK waters. Although she has the appearance of a traditional pre-war boat she was only built 35 years ago and she has had considerable up-grading and ongoing maintenance work since.

In the past she has made several trans-Atlantic passages, competed successfully in many classic regattas and won her class at the Antigua Classics. On her first crossing she sailed from the Canaries to St Lucia in an incredible 17 days proving her to be a very fast and seaworthy yacht.  She is capable of being sailed very hard but equally has proved herself as a comfortable long distance cruising boat.  Her huge benefit is the cockpit which is deep, safe and spacious and means the crew are not perched on the deck as is the case with many gaffers these days.

In the present ownership she has been given a major refit including a complete new deck plus new stanchions and bulwarks, rig overhaul and new running rigging, re-wire and new systems.

Length on Deck              42’

Length Waterline            40’

Length overall                 54’

Beam                               12’8”

Draft                                6’10”