Thoroughly usable and beautifully restored Bristol Pilot Cutter from 1899. Sensitively upgraded to allow for short-handed cruising, offering endless fun and trophy hunting opportunities in any classic regatta. Few classic yachts are as usable as CARLOTTA.
FURTHER BROKER’S COMMENTS:
Originally launched in 1899, CARLOTTA is one of only 15 or so remaining Bristol Pilot Cutters from the hundreds built for pilots to race west to meet ships entering the Irish Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Registered as a ‘historic ship’ with the UK Ships Registry, CARLOTTA has benefitted from a comprehensive program of restoration, refit and sensitive modernisation over the past 20yrs and three ownerships, both by Abernethy & Gaudin in British Columbia, where she underwent a 10,000-hour restoration, and more recently by legendary Elephant Boatyard in the UK. CARLOTTA now represents a truly usable and utterly reliable piece of yachting history, ready to cruise or race with a full or short-handed crew.
4ACCOLADES: Best Restored Sailboat 2012 Victoria Classic Boat Festival Classic Boat 2019 Restoration Winner 2022 Falmouth Classics Class Winner
DETAILED HISTORY:
CARLOTTA was designed and built by W.H. Halford at Gloucester in 1899 for the Cumberland Sea Fishery Committee, who ordered a ‘Police Boat’ or ‘Protection Cutter’ to patrol fisheries in the Cumberland area. She was originally named THE SOLWAY. Halford built at least two other pilot cutters, but CARLOTTA is the sole survivor from this yard. Their boats differed from other pilot boats; the bowsprits were not always offset, instead being placed on the centre-line of the vessel; they featured ‘Valkyrie’ bows – straight stems with substantial rake; and in addition to internal ballast, an external iron keel. Framing was specifically ordered to be just 6 inches allowing for extreme conditions rigidity. That compared with her yacht lime lines made her a very fast protection cutter. When completed, CARLOTTA worked in the River Solway and off the coast of Cumberland around Maryport and Whitehaven with a crew of four to seven men and a Master. In 1907 she was replaced by a steam driven vessel and sold off as a yacht.
In 1907 she was sold into private ownership, renamed CARLOTTA, and moved to the Isle of Man, where she was converted to a yacht. Shortly afterwards she was sold again to the next of many owners, David A. Croall of St James’, London, and registered in Ramsey. In 1913 she won the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club Regatta under the ownership of A.R. Hoette. By 1915 her owner was W.G. Luke of Hamble, Southampton, and by 1920 she was owned by a property developer, John Rene Payne, who sailed CARLOTTA out of the Royal Burnham and Royal Corinthian Yacht Clubs. She was beautifully kept and took part in cruiser races. By 1925 she was owned by Lord Gort of East Cowes, a soldier who later rose to the rank of Field Marshal. He fitted her with every comfort and convenience. By 1929 she was owned by a retired Lieutenant Colonel, but in 1933 she was sold again, to George Henry Jordan of Monmouth, who sold her on to Sir Thomas Hewitt Skinner before the end of the year. In 1937 she was bought by Bessie and Aleck Bourne of London, who in 1939 sailed her from France to Guernsey thinking she would be safe there. In 1940 ownership was transferred to three Guernsey men.
In 1942 CARLOTTA was found laid up in a canal basin dock near Fleetwood by Richard Twist, who became her next owner. He sailed her out of Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland for about four years, and later chartered her out of St. Mawes, Cornwall, making frequent voyages to France. The Twists kept CARLOTTA for twenty-seven years, until 1969, but in 1970 they sold her to two men from Golant, Cornwall. She subsequently fell into a state of decay, with many frames smashed. But in 1973 a Canadian, Peter Heiberg, found her in the Fowey estuary, bought her, and had her restored at Falmouth. After several failed attempts he eventually reached Vancouver in 1981. CARLOTTA was a regular winner of Old Gaffers’ races in Vancouver. Heiberg owned her for over 30 years, but in 2004 he sold her to the Mohan family, who began the process of restoring her to how she was in 1899.
CAROTTA was back sailing in 2009, although her interior refit was only completed in 2011. In 2015 she was purchased by Michael Wright in London, and she underwent further repair and restoration work. In 2017, she was transported by road and sea to the UK after more than 43 years in British Columbia. Since 2019 she has been under the present custodianship and has been professionally upgraded for ocean sailing by the ‘Elephant’ Boatyard in Bursledon. A refit in May 2023 added a custom-made anchor assembly along with a modern generation anchor, hydraulic Wills Ridley autopilot systems backboned into her Raymarine plotters. For planned ocean passaging a hydro generator was custom designed in Germany and fitted by the yard.
Competitive under her current ownership, CARLOTTA won class 2022 Falmouth Classics, placing second in 2023, and now presents immediately ready for her next custodians to racing or extended cruise. She wants for nothing structurally, mechanically or other. UK VAT paid and Part 1 British Registered.
MAY 2024 INSURANCE SURVEY SUMMARY AND VALUATION:
“CARLOTTA is a fine example of the Bristol Pilot cutter having undergone a major restoration between 2013- 2018. During the restoration nearly all the planks were renewed with some of the frames being replaced and sistering caried out to some frames are required, The deck was replaced along with deck beams as required. Electrical and water systems aboard were replaced accordingly. CARLOTTA presents well and is in very good cosmetic and structural condition.
Having taken into consideration the current market and the extent of restoration carried out within the last six years, this together with the vessel’s history, we would currently value Carlotta in the region of £330,000.”
RECENT REFIT HIGHLIGHTS:
2026 REFIT: Hull and topsides stripped to bare wood Two coats of Hemple Primer Three coats of antique white topsides Three coats of black bulwarks Two coats of Hemple Aquastar Classic Red antifoul All new anodes hull and prop Propellor service and grease Engine service Routine caulking
2023-24 REFIT: Topsides painted New antifoul and anodes Spars revarnished Rig inspection and tune Interior restored to traditional original pilot cutter layout and repainted Brushed Stainless Steel anchor assembly custom fabricated and installed Asymmetric Cruising Sail with snuffer assembly Full Raymarine Backbone system RayMarine EV-300 Autopilot RayMarine Rudder Reference Unit Wills Ridley Hydraulic (reversing pump) autopilot. Ocean Power hydrogenerator with custom stern mounting bracket. Dyneema 10mm pad eye rigging fully adjustable Handmade bow net Stainless flue and cowl for multifuel stove Hydraulic drive system flush, inspection and new oil EPropulsion Spirit 1.0 electric long shaft outboard for punt New Rocna Vulcan 40kgs anchor with 300’ of ½” chain New Fortress 55 kedge anchor Totalcool Xtreme 40 12vDC/220vAC Fridge Totalcool Xtreme 40 12vDC/220vAC Freezer Bluetti AC200Max portable 2.2Kw lithium solar power station Bluetti 700w foldable deck solar panels New Whale accumulator and pump with new spare onboard Honda EU 2000i portable petrol generator Salt water deck wash down pump New batteries (2021)
2019 REFIT: New deck, deck beams, bulwarks, rail caps, knightheads, arch board, rudder trunk, Burmese teak cockpit, cockpit framing and deck, bitts, quarter bitts, wale strakes, mast partners, topmast spreaders, pin racks Some frames replaced or sistered with Oak All planking replaced with fir/Larch keel bolts replaced with silicone bronze New interior 5x New bronze pins 2024 to match existing bronze pins. All standing rigging replaced new Ironwork re-galvanised New sail wardrobe by Lawrence Sails UK including mainsail, main topsail, Flying jib, Staysail and working staysail Raymarine Hybridtouch 12 inch screen chart plotter with platinum chart series and new transducer (chart table) Raymarine Hybridtouch 8 inch plotter (cockpit) Raymarine Class B AIS system Complete Sun awning for every area of the deck. Cockpit cover, helm cover Mainsail cover Entire Boat Winter cover in 3 pieces.. Multifuel 6kW stove (2017)
2012-14 REFIT: Beta Marine 75 hp engine on a hydraulic drive out port quarter Darglow feathering Featherstream propeller. New electrical systems throughout New exhaust, fuel, water, and plumbing systems installed
SPECIFICATIONS CONSTRUCTION
RCD Status: RCD Status: Our understanding is that the vessel is exempt from the essential safety requirements of Directive 94/25EC (Recreational Craft Directive) as she was in use with EEA waters prior to June 1998.
Hull, Deck & Superstructure Construction: Traditional carvel wood construction from larch planking over oak frames Antique White painted topsides – repainted Spring 2026 Strip planked decks supported by way of traditional deck beams and internal vertical bulkheads. Antifouling and anodes replaced – Spring 2026
Keel & Rudder: Iron shoe keel is bolted though hull into transverse frames with 30mm silicone bronze bolts and backing plates – bolts replaced 2023 Elm keelson The rudder is of wood and one-piece construction with rudder stock and supported by way of pintles and straps.
MACHINERY
Engine & gearbox: Beta Marine 4-cylinder naturally aspirated diesel engine producing 75hp @ approx. 2,600rpm - 2012 Freshwater engine cooling via raw water intake and heat exchanger Hydraulic drive gearbox – 2012 – serviced with flush and new oil - 2024 Single lever control Anti-siphon exhaust - 2012 Seastrainer on raw water intake - 2012
Maintenance & Performance: Engine serviced – Spring 2026 Engine hours – approx 650 as of Spring 2026 Engine overhaul with new starter motor, water pump, alternator, circulation pump, exhaust manifold – 2022 Easy-change impeller system – 2024
Propulsion & Steering: Solid timber tiller connected to rudder stock via bronze fitting Spare tiller Offset stainless steel propeller shaft supported by way of cutlass bearing and p-bracket Dripless shaft seal Featherstream 3-bladed folding propeller - 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
Voltage systems: 12vDC domestic systems with 220vAC via shore-power or lithium power station Electrical systems fully refitted with new fuse panel etc - 2014
Battery Banks: 4x 6vDC service batteries joined in parallel and series to supply 12vDC – 2021 12vDC engine start battery – 2021 Battery monitoring display system
Charging: 2x battery chargers to charge engine and service battery banks
Power Bank: Bluetti AC200Max portable 2.2Kw lithium solar power station - 2023
Generator: Honda EU 2000i petrol generator - 2023
Alternator: 12vDC engine mounted alternator
Hydro Generator: Ocean Power hydrogenerator, custom stern mounting bracket – 2023 Spares 2x carbon propellers, 2x power control units. (New and unused at present 3/24) Watt and Sea male and female deck connectors. Fully fitted ready for immediate deployment. Analogue vintage incoming amp display.
Solar Bluetti 700w foldable deck solar panels. - 2023
Shore Power: 220vAC 50Hz shorepower system with ring main and 220vAC sockets ProSafe FS30 galvanic isolator
PLUMBING & GAS SYSTEMS
Fresh Water: Whale 12vDC pressurized water pump for supplying fresh water with accumulator - 2024 Cold pressurised fresh water supply throughout
Bilge Pumps: 4x independent Rule 12vDC bilge pumps located 2x Midship, 1 aft and 1 fwd. Engine Driven crash pump can be operated any time engine is running by electric switched clutch.
Saltwater: Salt water deck wash down pump 5/gpm. Deck hose attachment fitting.
Fresh Water: Approx 400 litres water capacity in 2x stainless steel tanks
NAVIGATION & COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT
Navigation Equipment: Full Raymarine Backbone system 2023, completely extendable with 12v power to primary and slave modules. All electronics shared to backbone. Raymarine Hybridtouch 12 inch screen chart plotter with platinum chart series and new transducer (chart table) - 2019 Raymarine Hybridtouch 8 inch plotter (cockpit) – 2019 Raymarine Class B AIS transceiver – 2019 Raymarine EV-300 Autopilot with Rudder Reference Unit- 2023 Wills Ridley Hydraulic (reversing pump) autopilot. (5amps DC draw when pump runs approx 50% of the time in auto) - 2023 Sestrel steering compass with brass binnacle housing - Oil changed 2024 Garmin emergency handheld GPS
Communications Equipment: Icom IC-M506 VHF with DSC Raymarine Handheld VHF
DOMESTIC EQUIPMENT
Galley: Taylors gimballed paraffin stove 2 burners,oven and grill with 3x German high power burners fitted 2023 Totalcool Xtreme 40 12vDC/220vAC fridge – 2024 Totalcool Xtreme 40 12vDC/220vAC freezer - 2024 Stainless steel galley sink with hot & cold pressurised fresh water supply
Heads: Baby Blakes manual marine heads Sink with pressurised cold water supply
Heating & Ventilation: Colin Frinke multifuel 6kW stove, Stainless flue and cowl - 2024. Winter Cover flue flashing kit to allow stove use whilst under full cover. Spare length of stainless flue and cowl.
Internal lighting: Numerous traditional oil lamps and 12vDC lights with red and white lighting
Entertainment: Avtex 12vDC TV Glomex spreader mounted DAB/Digital TV amplified aerial
ACCOMMODATION
Summary of Accommodation: Up to 8 berths in traditional pilot cutter layout. Approx 6’2” headroom throughout Forecastle: 2 berths forward with chain locker Amidships: galley to starboard, head to port Saloon: two pilot berths and bench seats down each side of original 1899 folding gimballed table Aft cabin: double berth to starboard, two tiered single berths to port, Chart table to port, engine hidden under companionway steps.
Accommodation Finish: Recently restored interior following traditional original pilot cutter layout. Interior repainted – 2024 White painted solid vertical tongue and groove boarding Many original bronze/brass fittings, original table, handholds etc .
DECK EQUIPMENT
Rig: Mast pulled, repaired 2013 (revarnished 2023) New main boom, new topmast, new bowsprit 2014 (revarnished 2023) Standing rigging replaced 2019 Rig inspection and tune - 2024 Dyneema 10mm pad eye rigging fully adjustable 2023 Dyneema whisker stays - 2024 220m of 10mm dyneema rigging line held onboard 200m of main sheet multibraid in reserve new Numerous other lengths and diameter new and unused mutibraid Handmade bow net - 2023
Sails: Lawrence Sails UK – Dacron mainsail – 2019 Lawrence Sails UK – Dacron main topsail – 2019 Lawrence Sails UK – Dacron flying jib – 2019 Lawrence Sails UK – Dacron staysail – 2019 Lawrence Sails UK – Dacron working staysail – 2019 Asymmetric Cruising Sail with snuffer assembly - 2023 Total sail area approx. 1700 sq ft. Sails cleaned and stowed during winter.
General: Cockpit and aft hatch bare wood stripped and revarnished - 2024 Stirling and Sons custom designed and fabricated deck chocks for Pilot Punt 2022 Teak flagstaff and pig stick.
Covers & Canvas: Complete Sun awning for every area of the deck - 2019 Cockpit cover, helm cover - 2019 Mainsail cover - 2019 Full boat winter cover in 3 pieces. Custom made by Quay Canvas Burseldon, UK – 2019 - Used for winter 2023/24, a simply wonderful fitted cover with silicon flue flashing kit allowing winter use of multifuel stove.
Tender & Outboard: 11ft Stirling and Sons replica Pilot Punt. Built in 2012. Full lug rig sailing kit fabricated 2022 by Stirling and Sons with canvas sail two reefs. Rudder box, tiller and rudder, centre board and Douglas fir mast. EPropulsion Spirit 1.0 electric long shaft outboard for punt - 2023
Misc: CARLOTTA Shipwrights tool chest with all required tools, caulking mallet, irons, numerous spare cotton rolls and caulking spares for offshore foreign passaging. Huge portfolio of old letters, history, documents, photos, videos dating back to her commission request in 1898. This history is amazingly comprehensive and kept in three huge lever arch files onboard. Original certificate of registration and Thames tonnage.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
General note on safety equipment: Any safety equipment such as liferafts, Epirbs, fire extinguishers and flares etc. are usually personal to the current owner(s) and if being left on-board as part of the sale of a used vessel may require routine servicing, replacement, or changing to meet a new owners specific needs.
MCA requirements (flares, fire extinguishers, life rings, etc.) 6-man Valise Liferaft - (next service due July 2026) Rescue Me 406Mhz EPIRB CrewSaver 190 newton buoyancy automatic lifejackets x6 - serviced and in date
For more information or to arrange a viewing please contact us.
Please Note: Due to the varying locations of our yachts, your travel time and the distances that may be involved, we recommend that you only make arrangements to view if you are actively considering purchase.
Lead Broker : Alex Grabau Tel: +44 (0)1590 673715 Email: @grabauinternational.com
Details
ModelW.H. Halford Bristol Pilot Cutter
Length18.3m
Total Power75 hp
Beam4.0m
Specifications
Dimensions
Length18.3m
Beam4.0m
Hull
MaterialWood
Accommodation
Guest Cabins2
Berths8
Propulsion
Engine 1
Engine MakeBeta Marine
Engine Hours614
Fuel TypeDiesel
Power75 hp
Listing details on this page are provided by Grabau International as marketing material. Please contact the broker directly for full details.
