Launch of Polly Agatha, Wooden Pilot Cutter Replica

The team at Cockwells, their customers and a impressive list of pilot cutter experts including Tom Cunliffe celebrated the launch of Polly Agatha, a replica of a 104 year-old, 45 foot Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter at Mylor Yacht Harbour this week. The original, Peggy, who is still sailing today, was built by Rowles of Pill in Bristol in 1904.

Dave Cockwell, owner of Cockwells has known Peggy for many years and sailed on her on numerous occasions. “For me it is a dream come true to build a replica of this beautiful wooden boat and see her sailing today. It has been a brilliant team effort from all who worked on her. Wooden boats are definitely back in Vogue. With the ability to combine both traditional and modern techniques a new breed of wooden yachts are appearing. At Cockwells all of our wooden boats both power and sail are bespoke, individually designed with every detail finished to perfection.”

Externally this new Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter, Polly Agatha is an exact replica of Peggy, the original boat, all of the scantlings are the same as the original and the method of construction is also the same with only two exceptions. One is the use of bronze bolts and screws rather than iron and the other is a modern composite deck. The new deck is two layers of marine plywood sheathed in epoxy and glass overlaid with 3 inch wide teak. This option has been selected as an improvement to the original build to increase strength, stiffness and durability.

The new owners of Polly Agatha, Kim and Trudi Hartley are thrilled to see their boat in the water. “Having our boat built by Cockwells enabled us to have a big say in the design of the interiors. Trudi’s input has made the interiors more appealing to the wives and family charter market and I was able to specify all the technology I required for a state-of-the-art sail school.” Says Kim Hartley, owner of Bowsprit Sailing.

Internally Kim and Trudi have selected a modern interior using solid English Oak. The layout has a large luxurious master cabin with an en suite head and shower. There is another traditional head in the bow and a forward cabin with two berths and two extra occasional berths. The saloon has another 4 berths including two occasional on the saloon seats, providing a maximum of 10 berths. There is a large galley and navigational area.

Polly Agatha is a new hybrid of the Pilot Cutters. She has all the appearance, charm and original features of an Edwardian Cutter combined with a modern luxurious interior fitted with the latest technology. The planned use for this vessel is chartering for corporate and private entertainment and a sea school based in the Solent, UK.

For further information on charter contact Kim on 00 44 7795480254 or visit their website at www.polly-agatha.com.

Brief specification outline for Polly Agatha

Accommodation

There is a large aft master cabin with en-suite head and shower all with fitted units made from English Oak

Midship's saloon area with a large oak table, seating for 10, with two pilot and two extra occasional berths. It is well lit from the central skylight and has navigation station to starboard.

Galley is to port with an ideal layout including a double sink, diesel cooker and hob and large fridge.

In the bow, there is another head with shower and a cabin with two beths and additional occasional berths providing a total of 10.

Main systems

The main systems for Polly Agatha are the 75 HP Catapillar main diesel engine running from two 150 litre fuel tanks all with digital senders and fillers.

Water system is pressurized giving hot and cold through out the boat (450 litre capacity water tank).

12-volt electrical system with an engine start and service batterys (390Ah) and Max Power Fuel Cell providing the power for lighting and electrical equipment onboard.

Rig

The rig uses hollow spars from Nobel Spars in Bristol with galvanized fittings, galvanized steel wire standing rigging with dead eyes in elm and traditional block in ash.

The working sails are SKB Terylene and includes main, staysail, jib and topsail however there are plans for a Code Zero and a fly jib to be added later. The main has Appledore reefing with Wykenham Martin roller reefing for the head sail.

Download the complete specification for Polly Agatha, please follow this link:

'Polly Agatha' Specification as a PDF*

Polly Agatha being named

Polly Agatha out sailing

Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter sailing

Fore Cabin

Pilot Cutter's Galley

Pilot Cutter's Navigation Station

Aft Cabin