For a quick get-up-to-speed on pilot cutters, settle in for this short BBC-produced film hosted by our friend and OCH Guide Tom Cunliffe. There’s simply no better person in the world who we’d rather listen to about pilot cutters:
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Neil Henderson says:
Very interesting video of beautiful boats. Wonder if we can persuade some people with deep pockets to fund the building of some more because it would be really sad to see them disappear.
Also, would be interesting to learn more about how the pilot cutters were built – I guess strip planked with nails or screws?
Regards Neil
Maynard Bray says:
The pilot cutter hulls are built with double-dawn frames and carvel planking, traditionally caulked. Christian Topf’s book From The Loft Floor To The Sea illustrates and describes the building of the cutter Pellew, and the hull construction shows clearly.
Joe Hill says:
Living as I do In Cardiff and growing up in the 50s and then working on the docks here in Cardiff I saw many Pilot Cutters, I remember Mascot, Mischief, Would berth in the old Dock at Penarth, beautiful lines and when all sail standing out in the Bristol Channel a rare and stunning sight, I was lucky enough to see Tom Cunnliffe’s cutter Hirter when on a Diving trip out of Plymouth Devon. Have loved Pilot Cutters all my life.