Our vessel, the "Edith Gray"

Pilot Cutter Edith Gray at Bristol Docks

Bristol Channel Pilot Cutters were renowned for their seaworthiness, reliability and speed,  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.

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

For a traditional vessel she is no slouch, she is fast acquiring a reputation for speed (See below for List of Honours so far).

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.

 

 

 

Pilot Cutter Edith Gray racing at St Mawes

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, can be used very efficiently.

 

 

 

 

 

Deck plan and Interior

Honours:

2011

Cock of the Bristol Channel. Pilot Cutter Race.
 Tern Cup  (2nd place)

 'Classic Sailing' Pilot Cutter Review at St Mawes
1st place overall
Individual races:  1st, 1st, 1st, 1st

2012

 'Classic Sailing' Pilot Cutter Review at St Mawes
1st place overall
Individual races: 1st, 2nd, 1st, 2nd

Pilot Cutter Fastnet
Fastnet Challenge Cup (1st overall on handicap)
Fastnet Race Cup  (1st in class)

Round the Island Race
2nd in Class

Plymouth Classics
Yacht Haven Cup  (1st in Class and over 30ft)

Fowey Classics
Trafalgar Cup  (1st overall)
Most Ansom Transom (for showing off in the harbour!)

 

 

Skipper & crew

  • John Raymond - Barker, Skipper, s/v Edith Gray, Wild Sailing

    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.