PRIDE AND JOY
A reader’s superb restoration project.
Conceived in the 1960s by two West Country craftsmen seeking to create the perfect British-built inshore fishing boat, the Plymouth Pilot range of displacement inboard vessels achieved that goal. Originally, Plymouth Pilots were supplied only as hull mouldings, which were fitted out either by their owners or by professional boatyards.
Even today, Pilots are custom built and equipped to suit all budgets.
Testimony to the build quality of these boats is that even having sold in excess of 2,500 hulls, the majority of the earlier boats are still in use today.
The traditional shape of the Plymouth Pilot evolved from the old Teignmouth Pilot launch, a wooden boat constructed in the late 1930s, featuring a displacement hull that is renowned for its seaworthiness, stability and reliability, and which needs minimum maintenance.
Plymouth Pilots are very economical to run, with their long keel and skegs combined with a traditional transommounted rudder to give incredible grip on the water. Today the range consists of three basic hull models, 16ft, 18ft and 24ft. These can be fitted out in a variety of styles, ranging from basic open motor boats through to cuddy options, and the top-of-the-range cruiser version of the 24ft Plymouth Pilot.
SUBSTANTIAL
Last winter I received an invitation from Geoff Farmiloe to travel down to Plymouth (where else?) and take a look at his pride and joy; Polaris, a Plymouth Pilot 24. Originally commissioned in 2002, Polaris is 24ft long with a substantial 9ft 2in beam, and draws 2ft 8in. Her original weight was 2036kg but, following modifications, she now displaces 2500kg.
Polaris is powered by a 43bhp Beta Marine engine that produces 2,800rpm and is supplied with fuel from a 110-litre diesel tank, and she carries a 20-litre reserve tank. The standard size tank is 80 litres.
Her average speed is in the region of 6.5 knot to 7 knots, which is typical for a displacement boat of this size; she would not perform any faster even when fitted with a larger engine.
The maximum speed for a Plymouth Pilot 24, which is rated for use with engines up to 70hp, is given as 9.5 knots. When running at 2,500 rpm, Geoff informed me that Polaris consumes about five litres per hour. She is coded for carrying up to eight persons
IMMACULATE
Stepping aboard Polaris at her berth at Yacht Haven Marina, I was amazed by her condition; she is immaculate. Had I been told she had been initially launched just a few weeks earlier, I would have accepted that fact at face value. This is testimony not only to the great skill with which she has been restored, but also to the quality of her initial build, which has made this possible.
Along with his wife, Rose, Geoff fishes on average about three times a month from March to October, during which he clocks up about 150 engine hours a year. In addition to fishing, Geoff and Rose enjoy using Polaris as a weekender, typically during extended trips to Fowey, Falmouth, Salcombe and Dartmouth. They fish mostly on the drift and enjoy eating what they catch, especially cod, pollack and mackerel.
Geoff and Rose have owned Polaris for three years. “After a lot of research and looking around I decided that I wanted a Plymouth Pilot 18. I wanted to buy a secondhand one but these rarely, if ever, come on the market – their owners simply don’t want to part with them,” explained Geoff.
“Then I received a phone call from the manufacturers saying that a 24ft 2002 model was available. She needed a bit of work, but would I be interested? Well, we took a look and decided that, yes, she was the boat for us, and set about her restoration. We’ve owned her three years now.”
DISPLACEMENT
Clearly, Geoff is delighted with his boat, and rightly proud of his restoration work. What was it that he felt made this particular boat so special for offshore angling?
“She is a relatively heavy displacement boat and incredibly secure and stable in rough weather,” said Geoff. “Last year we brought her all the way back from Fowey to Plymouth in a Force 6 complete with thunder and lightning; it took us five hours to complete the 22-mile run.
“It was a hell of a trip, but she really did inspire great confidence and perform incredibly well, even under such adverse conditions. After that trip I’d be confident in her seakeeping qualities should I ever get caught out in a Force 8.”
As expected, he has some favourite features. “Access to the engine is excellent, which makes routine checks and any necessary maintenance so much easier,” Geoff explained.
“There is a lot of deck space, which is clearly an obvious advantage aboard any fishing boat, and, as a result, she’ll fish up to four in comfort. She has excellent inboard freeboard, which further enhances that feeling of overall security. Some of our friends are elderly, and they all find Polaris to be a comfortable boat to be aboard.”
There was more. “She has lots of stowage space, both within the cockpit, the wheelhouse and forward cabin, which has a 6ft 8in berth. We have built a small galley, installed heating and I have also incorporated a small chart table. We do have all of the necessary electronics on board for navigation, but I enjoy doing things the traditional way using a paper chart, dividers and a pair of parallel rulers in conjunction with a compass.”
One feature Geoff has included is an aft gantry. The primary function of this is that it includes a small bracket on to which he can attach a rescue harness, which he carries in case anyone should fall overboard.
“I also like the fact that she can be tiller steered and, of course, we carry a small auxiliary engine mounted outboard on a bracket, just in case,” added Geoff. “The engine is fitted with a trolling valve so that we can troll at very slow speeds. We also have a cockpit canvas that provides additional shelter during overnight stays in port. Polaris really is a very versatile boat, she is exactly what we wanted, and we both love spending time aboard her whenever we can.”
DELIGHT
After my conducted tour, Geoff and Rose took me for a short trip into Plymouth Sound. Over the years I’ve spent quite a lot of time aboard various displacement boats, but not so much recently, and it really was a delight to once again experience the ‘slowly but surely’ approach.
These boats inspire the feeling that “there’s no rush – we’ll get there when we do”, so if you are intent on blasting many miles offshore to fish, then these really are not the boats for you. If you are in no great rush to run maybe 10 miles to fish while enjoying a quiet chat with your friends and a cup of freshly brewed tea along the way, you need look no further for your ideal boat.
Polaris really was a comfortable boat, beautifully appointed, and an absolute delight to be aboard. Geoff told me that her maximum range, given a full standard tank of fuel, was in the region of 20-22 hours producing a range in the region of 130 nautical miles, leaving a reserve of about 25 nautical miles.
“This makes a channel crossing to Guernsey from Salcombe on a fine day an achievable goal, albeit a long one,” Geoff said with a grin.
Were I ever to relocate near the sea and decide that I was ready to own another boat for fishing and general pottering about on the water, I know exactly what boat I would buy. It would be a Plymouth Pilot, or something very similar.
I can’t promise I’d keep her in the same pristine condition as Polaris, but I can guarantee a decent cup of tea while fishing. ■