Classic 45' Gaff Rigged Cutter for sale in Sussex United Kingdom

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 to achieve more internal volume and 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 has been flattened a little, creating a cavernous interior space that makes 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. 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, employing a wealth of knowledge and skills to build this fine yacht. Every tree was carefully chosen to ensure the timber used was just right; the larch was all felled on an estate in southern England specially for this boat. The choice of materials for fastenings and fixings ensures she is built to last.

The design strays away from the traditional pilot cutter effectively, taking the best features of those seaworthy workboats tested over time while adding to them to create an excellent boat for modern cruising and sailing. The most notable addition is the doghouse, which provides an excellent sheltered area while allowing occupants to enjoy the passing scenery on deck. It also allows easy and safe access below decks without scrambling in and out of a narrow sliding hatch and provides two extra sea berths if necessary. The hydraulic wheel steering is set on a box on the aft deck with the wheel facing forward, allowing the helmsman to sit astride the box in a safe, secure, and comfortable manner. The hydraulics have been carefully balanced to provide good feedback while allowing 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, the West Country, and across the Channel. She has 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″

• 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 around 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.

• 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 galvanised chain plates.
• Full suit of sails new in 2014 by Crusader Sails.
• Single pair of large sheet winches mounted on the deck.

• 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.

• 10 berths in total including 2 double quarter cabins, 2 saloon settee berths, a pilot berth, and 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 the aft starboard corner of the 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.

• Sestrel steering compass
• Clipper sounder
• DSC VHF
• Garmin 128 GPS
• Autohelm 7000 hydraulic autopilot

• 4 x lifejackets
• Life buoys with lights
• Danbuoy
• Fire extinguishers

• 34kg CQR anchor
• Electric windlass
• 90m of 1/2″ chain
• 100m 1.5″ warp
• Mooring warps
• Fenders

• 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

• Seago 2.9m inflatable dinghy