Wooden Ships Comments on this 45′ Gaff Rigged Cutter This 45′ gaff cutter was inspired by the lines of a Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter called Hilda, the builder and owner employed a naval architect to slightly alter the lines in order to get more internal volume and therefore more accommodation than the original working boat. The underwater lines are barely altered, however the topsides have been increased by one plank and the exaggerated sheer flattened a little which has created a cavernous interior space making her a very comfortable boat. Built by the owner over a period of time, the keel was laid down in April 2006 and the hull was launched in summer 2012, however she was officially commissioned and finished in 2014. The owner trained as a shipwright with Hillyards from an early age and went on to run a very successful large scale carpentry business so has a wealth of knowledge and skills which he employed to build this very fine yacht. Every tree was carefully chosen to ensure the timber that went into her was just right, the larch was all felled on an estate in southern England specially for this boat, and the choice of materials for fastenings and fixings is such that she is built to last. The design strays away from the traditional pilot cutter in a very effective way, taking the best features of those seaworthy work boats that have been tested over time, but adding to them to make an excellent boat for modern cruising and sailing. The most notable addition is the doghouse which provides an excellent sheltered area and still allows the occupants to be on deck where they can enjoy the passing scenery. It also allows easy and safe access below decks without having to scramble in and out of a narrow sliding hatch and gives two extra sea berths if necessary. The hydraulic wheel steering is set on a box on the aft deck with the wheel facing forward so the helmsman can sit astride the box in a safe, secure and comfortable manner with the wheel forward of him. The hydraulics have been carefully balanced so as to make the feedback as good as possible but they still allow for easy control of the big rudder even when handling in close quarters under power. The boat has been cruised extensively around the UK and northern Europe since her launch with trips to Scotland, West Country and across the Channel. Proven to be a safe, comfortable and fast boat that turns many heads Length on Deck 45’7″ Length Waterline 40′ Beam 13’2″ Draft 7’8″ Construction Planked in Larch all bronze screw fastened to sawn oak frames with bronze futtock bolts. Grown oak floors with some bronze strap floors. External lead ballast keel with bronze keel bolts and some internal lead trimming ballast. Straight laid Larch deck, caulked and payed. Bulwark all round on stanchions mounted through the coverboards. Doghouse in solid varnished teak with internal seating each side. Butterfly skylight over the main saloon with a deck table over this. Wheel steering with a wheel box allowing the helmsman to sit astride it. Rig Gaff cutter rig on a solid keel stepped mast with fidded topmast. Varnished wooden boom, gaff and bowsprit. Galvanised steel standing rigging parcelled and served in the traditional manner. Tensioned with deadeyes and lanyards to external galvanise chain plates. Full suit of sails new in 2014 by Crusader Sails Single pair of large sheet winches mounted on the deck. Machinery Yanmar 4-LH-TE 100hp 4cyl diesel engine installed as a reconditioned unit. Single lever control with a centreline stainless steel shaft through the sternpost to a fixed 3 blade bronze propeller. Gives 8 knots max speed, 7 knots cruising at 5 litres per hour consumption. 210 litre aluminium fuel tank aft of the engine with twin filters. Two large stainless steel water tanks up forward, 157 litres. 4 x 12 volt batteries for all systems. Charged from engine alternator or through installed shore power system. Accommodation 10 berths in total including 2 double quarter cabins, 2 saloon settee berths and a pilot berth plus 3 single berths in the forepeak. Steps down from the doghouse into the main saloon with a door each side into the quarter cabins. Main saloon has an L-shaped galley to port with oak worktops, twin stainless steel sinks and a 3 burner gas stove with oven and grill. Hot and cold pressurised water. Chart desk in aft starboard corner of saloon. Main saloon has been left deliberately open and spacious with oak cabin sole boards and a large centreline table. Port and starboard settee berths with a pilot berth to port. Heads compartment forward to port with a Jabsco sea toilet discharging directly overboard and provision for a shower. Starboard side doorway into the forepeak with 3 single berths and a vast amount of storage space Equipment Navigation Sestrel steering compass Clipper sounder DSC VHF Garmin 128 GPS Autohelm 7000 hydraulic autopilot Safety 4 x lifejackets Life buoys with lights Danbuoy Fire extinguishers Ground tackle and mooring 34kg CQR anchor Electric windlass 90m of 1/2″ chain 100m 1.5″ warp Mooring warps Fenders Sails and rigging All sails new in 2014 by Crusader Sails. Mainsail 602sqft Staysail 170sqft No.1 Jib 258sqft Jib headed topsail 216sqft No.2 Jib 150sqft Second hand sail from 2003, good condition. Sail covers Deck hatch covers Other Seago 2.9m inflatable dinghy