Newbridge Pioneer Pilot

[Glynny]

Hello all

Is there anyone out there who has a Newbridge Pioneer Pilot yacht with bilge keels?

I am travelling to Devon next week to view one of the last built examples of this model. It's got the 18hp volvo and has been on the hard for 2 years (apparently)
I am considering buying this model because I need a small cruiser type yacht to facilitate training for children and youths who have disabilities. Therefore, we need to know if she is not too extreme in terms of "heeling" and, will provide a reasonably safe platform to enable learning to take place without any nasty surprises. We will be using her in the Irish Sea in North Wales and the Morecambe Bay.

If anybody has any experience of similar teaching and can recommend a particular type/brand of yacht that is forgiving, comfortable and reasonably priced, then we would like to hear from you.

Thank you

Glynny

 

[V1701]

Hi,
Here's some general info on that yacht from Yachtsnet Archive. Re the heeling, any monohull yacht will heel depending on how and in what conditions they are sailed but if you're not overcanvassed, don't sail close to the wind and sail in lighter winds then it can be minimised. Hull shape will have an effect as well - a yacht with a flattish bottom and broad beam for length would probably be better for your purposes...

Hope that helps a bit...

 

[KenMcCulloch]

I am considering buying this model because I need a small cruiser type yacht to facilitate training for children and youths who have disabilities.

If anybody has any experience of similar teaching and can recommend a particular type/brand of yacht that is forgiving, comfortable and reasonably priced, then we would like to hear from you.

Hi Glynny
You might want to sek some advice from ASTO which is the UK 'umbrella body' for sail training organisations. There is quite a bit of expertise in taking young people with disabilities to sea that you might be able to tap into. Most people doing this sort of work use rather bigger boats; a Pioneer Pilot is very small for this kind of thing. I assume you are aware of the various regulatory frameworks you will have to work your way through in terms of staffing such an enterprise and equipping the boat to the appropriate code of practice standards?

 

[tidclacy]

Owned a Newbridge pioneer a few years back. Good starter/family boat, with bilge keels tended to heel quite a bit in any wind. I would not recommend for sail training. A Sadler or Contessa would be more appropriate I suspect.

 

[Glynny]

Hey, Thanks for this reply. It has been really difficult to pinpoint a good sailing boat for training use especially for use with disabled children.
We are a group of volunteers in'tnorth who are determined to provide a sailing experience for children and, hopefuilly in the future, become a RYA Sailability centre to enable children of these capabilities to both, access sailing activities and, achieve accredited certification.

Our funds are low and, therefore, can only start with a small vessel which will not incur large future bills in maintenance and berthing fees.

We intend to take 2 children and 2 crew on training cruises and day sails with a further intention to accomodate several nights in other ports in Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland etc etc.
Ambitious? yes.
Until we can achieve more sponsorship and further funding we can only set our sights low.
Of course, should you know of any kind people or organisations who would be willing to support us, then please let us know.

Many thanks for your response and advise.

Glynny.

 

[Red Admiral]

I have a Pioneer which I sailed for four years around Skye and the Western Isles before moving south. She is not the Pilot version so lacks the dog house and the inside steering position. Basically a floating caravan with lots of space for the length. She is a safe sea boat with a very buoyant hull form and has never shipped green water into the cockpit even in big seas - she replaced a Corribee which was like a submarine when going hard to windward.

It is quite a long way down from the bridge deck to the cabin sole and that could be a problem for disabled people. I find the motion at sea easy but that may be because she is not fast. The 18 hp 2002 Volvo is better than its reputation suggests and mine has never missed a beat during the ten years I've owned the boat. Worth checking, though, whether gearbox drive splines have been looked and, if necessary, modified.

Otherwise she is a typical comfortable bilge keel cruising yacht and a lot of boat for the money normally asked.

 

[Malcb]

The Pioneer was designed by Bill Dixon, who later designed the Moody 28, which was basically the same hull with a 'sugar scoop' stern to give the extra length. The Pioneer superseded the Virgo Voyager,(designed by Ron Lunney) which superseded the Corribee, from experience I think that it would be an ideal boat for introducing 'big boat' sailing. The cockpit is big enough for 4 people and the side decks, and fore decks are reasonably accessible. With the inside steering position is also good for teaching on 'the water' navigation. IMO obviously.

 

[Glynny]

thanks to all

Hey, folks,

Thank you all so much for the generous amount of information regarding our quest for information on the `Newbridge Pioneer Pilot yacht that we would like to purchase for our charity group.

We have now decided, after lots of deliberation, to try for a larger vessel that will, hopefully, create a more "easy" motion to enable the youngsters to learn.

Cheers

Glynny

 

[soleil d`or]

newbridge pioneer pilot for disabled training

I realise I am a bit late with my reply as I see you have decided against a pioneer.
I have a pioneer pilot in Devon and would agree with the previous advice that it would not be at all suitable for your needs.
It is however a perfect boat for a young family to learn the ropes on.
It is prone to heeling but has a very high freeboard and large cockpit with no traveller in the way.
Its also easy to sail and very forgiving.

 

[Glynny]

Hey, Thanks for this information - looks like we made the right decision after all.
Probably go for a Nauticat

Cheers and happy sailing

Glynny

 

[Beadle]

The Newbridge is not a big boat, and I wonder if it would be difficult not only in terms of heeling but in available space for moving about.

Have you considered a catamaran as an alternative? Something like a catalac has loads of space, plenty of cockpit seating easy access from cockpit to interior. And of course no heeling at all.

Just a thought.