Wooden Ships Comments on this Fowey River Pilot Launch Built by Frasers of Mevagissey in 1951 as a pilot lines boat for use out of Fowey in Cornwall. She was built for the current owners father in law, a local pilot, who used her to run far out to sea to meet incoming cargo vessels and to help with handling heavy lines once coming alongside. Because of the nature of the work she was built for, she is a stable and sturdy vessel, heavily constructed and excellent at sea. She is quite shallow in the bows, a feature built into her because of a specific task required of her, she had to run the bows ashore for embarkation at one particular point on the river in Fowey. After being retired from the pilot service, she went to the harbour master who used her as a general work boat in Fowey, before being acquired by the present owner. In 2014 she underwent a thorough refit which included some new planking in the bows and back aft on the port side, all new gunwhales and capping rails, new sole boards and an overhauled engine. Since that time she has been used for pottering around the local coastline and up the river. A purposeful looking boat in generally good sound condition, with a lot of space to carry plenty of people and a very safe sea boat. Length 20’7” Beam 8’ Construction Carvel planked in some type of Fir, or pine. Copper rivet fastened to steamed oak timbers . 4 sawn oak frames spaced throughout the hull. Very heavy section sawn frames adding enormous strength to the hull. Sawn oak floors across the centreline spaced between the sawn frames. Marine plywood sole boards, notched around the frames. Heavy gunwhales, all fitted new around 2014, made of pine with a wide and solid capping rail. Aft deck of plywood sheathed externally in GRP. No foredeck, instead she has a V-shaped thwart in the bows. Transom hung wooden rudder with tiller steering. Machinery 4cyl Ford 1.8 litre diesel engine of approximately 55hp. Professionally marinised by Beta Marine, this engine was originally supplied to Fowey Harbour commission for their work launches. Reconditioned and fitted in this boat in approximately 2014. PRM hydraulic gearbox with stainless shaft to a centreline 3 blade bronze propeller. Single lever Morse controls easily to hand from the helm position. Plastic fuel tank under the aft deck of approximately 40 litres. CAV fuel filter with water separator. Heavy duty 12 volt 110ah battery charged from the engine alternator. Equipment Navman chartplotter Ford 1.8l 55hp diesel with PRM gearbox 12 volt battery Sole boards Fenders Warps Rudder and tiller Auto electric bilge pump Manual bilge pump Disclaimer: These particulars have been prepared in good faith from information provided by the Vendors and are intended as a guide, Wooden Ships cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. The Purchaser should instruct his agent or surveyor to validate all details as necessary and satisfy himself with the condition of the vessel and its equipment.
