Plymouth Hooker Gaff Cutter

Wooden Ships Comments on this Plymouth Hooker Gaff Cutter

Built in Looe by Tom Pearce in 1896 as a Plymouth Hooker, she was a long line fishing boat with the number PH339.  She was originally a half deck boat and would have fished the coastal waters around Plymouth.  These boats gained their names as they frequently worked several thousand individual hooks on the long lines.

After an extensive rebuild in the 1980’s she was bought by John Raymond-Barker of RB Boatbuilding in Bristol.  He changed much of the planking and then sailed her across the Atlantic and back.

Bought by the previous owner in 2005, she was in a bad state and soon after the purchase the boat was given to Ashley Butler of Butler & Co. for a comprehensive refit which was undertaken in 2006.  A new lead keel was fitted with new floors, keel bolts and a greenheart keelson.  A number of frames were replaced as well as a complete new deck structure and new rig.  The interior was fitted in 2007 after the bulk of the main refit had been completed.  The work included a new coachroof, full width to create a raised deck in the middle of the yacht.  This increases the interior volume enormously without detracting from the outward appearance of the yacht.

Bought by the present owner in 2021, she was surveyed by Will Stirling and a list of jobs highlighted that have been attended to in recent years.  This mainly involved maintenance of the deck to eliminate leaks and upgrading of the rig.

A lovely looking working boat in good sound condition with a well documented refit history.

2021 survey available.  Also an option to take over the current marina berth in Plymouth subject to negotiation.

Length on Deck                      31’

Length Overall                       44’

Length Waterline                   30’

Beam                                       9’

Draft                                       5’