Our vessel, the "Edith Gray"

Pilot Cutter Edith Gray at Bristol Docks

Bristol Channel Pilot Cutters were renowned for their seaworthiness and reliability and are reputed to be at the pinnacle of working sailing boat design.

“Edith Gray” is the latest Pilot Cutter built by RB Boatbuilding Ltd of Bristol, and is designed along the lines of the smaller transom sterned Pilot cutters.

At 38ft 6" she is a handy size to sail short handed, yet large enough to give even the most experienced sailor as much sail handling and challenges as they could wish for.

For a traditional vessel she is no slouch, this is her first season and she is fast acquiring a reputation for speed.

“Edith Gray” can accommodate up to 7 persons comfortably with berths to spare.

Accommodation & equipment

Interior of 'Edith Gray' - Saloon looking aft
The mast & hlliards of our vessel
The comfy interior with berths - Forpeak looking aft
Pilot cutter interior - Navigation and Galley looking aft

Our ship, the pilot cutter "Edith Gray" is traditionally built, Larch on Oak with Bronze / Copper fastenings. She has a Gaff Cutter rig, with roller furling on the main and jibs set flying.

She will accomodate up to 10 persons day sailing and will sleep up to 9, with 7 single berths and 1 double.

The interior of 'Edith Grey' - a spacious saloon

She has a full size chart table and a large Galley with hot and cold running water.

Best of all is the woodburning stove that can be kept alight whilst sailing for those chilly nights or winter days.

Specifications:

LOA: 38' 6"

Beam: 11' 6"

Draft: 7'6"

Displacement: 17 tonnes

Engine: Beta Marine 25hp

Prop: Folding on the quarter

notes on the engine size: "Edith Gray" has such a small engine for her displacement due to our philosophy of always sailing unless there is no wind. If there is no wind the engine is more than adequate to push her along at hull speed, and with the prop on the quarter what horsepower there is, is used far more efficiently.

 

 

Pilot Cutter Edith Gray interior

Skipper & crew

  • skipper Edith Gray Pilot Cutter

    John Raymond-Barker, Skipper

    John R-B started Sailing in his youth.  He has a commercial yachtmaster ocean certificate, and has been sailing around in traditional Gaff Rig vessels for the past twenty years or so all over the Atlantic seaboard.

    He also runs RB Boatbuilding Ltd, a company specializing in classic wooden boat construction, in particular replicas of the Bristol Channel Pilot Cutters, vessels which  hold a fascination for him.   "Edith Gray" is just one of the vessels built by RB Boatbuilding Ltd.   www.pilotcutter.co.uk.