scillonian pilot cutters

[lilianroyle]

I've been looking at the website of the people who build these beautiful boats; agnes, lizzie may, etc and apparently they will tack with only a mainsail. What is it that gives them this ability? How different is the hull shape from an east coast smack?

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[CAJ]

I was at Gweek, Cornwall on Monday - saw their latest build under construction. Lovely lines - have pics if anyone wants to see them.

Chris

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[Richard_Blake]

I was hoping your post would start a discussion of hull shapes, because I'm interested too, although not very knowledgeable. We have an ex-smack, 35 foot, Aldous built. Pretty much original below the waterline, but hull raised a strake, cabin added, and counter form changed during 1960's/70's conversion. Differences with the pilot cutters that immediately spring to mind are draught and keel line. I gather the cutters have substantial rocker in the keel whereas the smacks tend towards a straight line. Were the (now rare) larger offshore smacks closer in form to the cutters? There are significant differences, apparently, in hull form between teh East coast smacks from for example Kent, Essex, Boston. Anyone know details of handling differences?
The cutters were built to a different purpose, of course - stay at sea with minimal crew and beat the competition to the ships. No need to carry a catch back home. Both types would spend a significant amount of time hove-to - but for the smack this was a fishing technique as well - straight keel for steadier course towing nets?

Haven't yet come across any writings with in-depth comparison of traditional working hull shapes and their behaviour. Still hope to. What about slackness or firmness of bilge? And the positioning of the firmest bit of bilge and the lines to and from it, if you'll forgive my clumsy description?

We tacked Edith under main alone once - noone had ever told us we couldn't. It's generally just as easy to have at least the staysail up as well, so I've no idea whether it would be possible in a range of conditions. Her forefoot is cut away a bit more than most other smacks we've seen. This may make her kinder.

Are you planning on buying a pilot cutter?

All the best
Richard





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