Newbridge Pioneer Pilot

[halcyon]

I Have dug out my log on credentials from many years ago to comment on this thread, that is so full of inaccurate information, and prejudice that I suspect is mainly from folks who have little or no experience of the Newbridge Pioneer Pilot, or perhaps sailing in general.... or both!.

Like some of the other well informed folk here on this thread, I have owned my Pioneer pilot for many years (approx 20) sailed her many thousands of miles along the south Coast of England, across the channel and along the Northern Coast of France down to the Channel Islands and also along the East coast of England and over to the Netherlands ( including delightful trips up the Nord Sea Canal to the Six Haven in Amsterdam. It was only the approach of advancing years and a general deterioration in health that caused me to sell her.

Some folks have commented on beating to windward with this 26 foot bilge keeler in F6 conditions in order to get home with dangerous shores and harbours to leeward..... they would be better engaged in learning how to interpret barometer readings, elementary weather forecasting, understanding and implementing proper passage planning and suitable sailing techniques for coping safely with inclement weather.

Understanding how to use the Boom Vang ( kicking strap) the importance of flattening the main, including use of the flattener or important steps in pulling down the first/second reef and general sail setting is pivotal in obtaining satisfactory performance from these boats,

My boat had the twin cylinder volvo 18 HP engine that never missed a beat during my ownership( however maintenance was always taken seriously by me, not only of engine but all associated gear, rigging, water cooling. sea cocks, harnesses, lifejackets, gas installation etc.

I never used the boat for sailing instruction ( I am an RYA Dept of Trade Yachtmaster Instructor) as I considered it just a trifle too small to be suitable for economically running Yachtmaster courses, preferring larger craft... Contessa 32 , F&C 44 etc.

I had my boat rigged for single handed sailing (able to pull down reefs without leaving the cockpit) electronic auto pilot at the ready. and the inside helm position ready to activate by merely slipping in the drive pin (no fancy hydraulics!) even in the depths of winter I could feel snug and the inside helm position with electronic instruments and throttle/gearcontrol to hand, comfortable armchair( bolted down) windscreen wipers on, staysail rolled down to half size, main with two slabs in and sheeted hard in, pasty heating in the oven with kettle on the hob and catalytic heater giving out its wonderful warmth and dull red glow...... Magic... Field of view from the inside helm position was excellent, facilitating a good all round lookout. I only generally used the inside steering position in really cold winter conditions....... Properly sailed in the summer from the cockpit the performance was not bad, quite reasonable in fact, leeway not excessive ( considering the draft was less than a metre)

My sole reason for joining this thread( despite the OP having said that he has bought a GK 29 is an attempt to put the record straight in regard to some of the considerable and undeserved comments made by the uninformed. inexperienced contributors to this thread.
Regards to all and of course fair winds and calm seas for us all of us in 2021 and beyond.
paws

Used to know the ex Production Manager at Newbridge, very good engineer, moved to runnimg the Merlin production in Falmouth then Rustler. He owned and sailed a Pioneer Pilot, sailed it mainly in France before moving there fulltime. Used to have a Newbridge Navigater, nice boat, no build qaulity problems.

Brian

 

[Hewyn]

Funnily enough, I’m looking at some 26 foot boats to buy in Torbay and have come across a Newbridge Pioneer Pilot. It’s the first boat I’ve seen around here which has the combination of being in good nick, not worn smooth and not being offered at stupid money for what it is by complete chancers.

I am tempted to purchase. If I do I will be able to be on the water for more months of the year and be able to gain respite from our cold, wet weather inside rather than being in a cream crackered Westerly Osmosis. So instead of listening to yacht bores telling tall tales of being heeled over in a F9 with nothing on the clocks but Smiths I rather fancy a bit of sailing.

 

[Wansworth]

Funnily enough, I’m looking at some 26 foot boats to buy in Torbay and have come across a Newbridge Pioneer Pilot. It’s the first boat I’ve seen around here which has the combination of being in good nick, not worn smooth and not being offered at stupid money for what it is by complete chancers.

I am tempted to purchase. If I do I will be able to be on the water for more months of the year and be able to gain respite from our cold, wet weather inside rather than being in a cream crackered Westerly Osmosis. So instead of listening to yacht bores telling tall tales of being heeled over in a F9 with nothing on the clocks but Smiths I rather fancy a bit of sailing.

Friend has one and I know someone who was employed to assemblethem ,quite adequate for coastal sailing in benign conditions

 

[DownWest]

Friend has one and I know someone who was employed to assemblethem ,quite adequate for coastal sailing in benign conditions

Faint praise?

 

[Wansworth]

Faint praise?

It’s just his description of how they were put together was not top quality boatbuilding but to offset that another friend Denis Gorman Sailed a smaller version to and from the Azores in the jester Challenge and there have been other voyages…..I spent a few days on a junk rigged version which was interesting as it was a boat I was thinking of buying later……..just cannot recall the name

 

[Marlingschap]

Funnily enough, I’m looking at some 26 foot boats to buy in Torbay and have come across a Newbridge Pioneer Pilot. It’s the first boat I’ve seen around here which has the combination of being in good nick, not worn smooth and not being offered at stupid money for what it is by complete chancers.

I am tempted to purchase. If I do I will be able to be on the water for more months of the year and be able to gain respite from our cold, wet weather inside rather than being in a cream crackered Westerly Osmosis. So instead of listening to yacht bores telling tall tales of being heeled over in a F9 with nothing on the clocks but Smiths I rather fancy a bit of sailing.

Hi, I’ve had an NB Pioneer Pilot for 6 years. Very happy to discuss my experiences and how I’ve upgraded her over the years to give me a fantastic time.

 

[Stemar]

Seems to me that she's a great boat and a heap of crap - nearly as many opinions as an anchor thread! However, distilling things down, it would seem that they're tough little motorsailers with modest sailing performance.

Having had a boat with a similar reputation for nearly 18 years, ISTM that what you need to do is decide what kind of sailing you really do. If it's rufty tufty out in all weathers and never happier than with two reefs in the ensign, she isn't for you. If you - and your wife - are more into just being out on the water, lazy days at anchor and so on, not to mention staying dry on your way home when that front comes in a bit quicker than forecast, and happy to use that new engine if the wind's in the wrong direction, she sounds like just the job.

 

[jac]

The thing to remember with any boat of this vintage is that it really comes down to how well it has been maintained over the years. Knackered sails, old engine, 1980's electronics, tired, damp interior and ancient rigging would suggest scrapping. Clean tidy, loved and with evidence of regular updates may make her a bargain.