Mischief replicas

In the great ‘pilot cutter boom’ that started in the late 90s and ran for a couple of decades or so, sailors were commissioning new pilot cutters from the likes of Luke Powell (Working Sail) in Cornwall and John Raymond-Barker in Bristol, what seemed like every year. Working Sail built the Scillonian type, while JRB built the Bristol Channel shape. The typical cost for a new one was around the half-million mark, but who knows what that would be now. The boats were often bought for charter, where the skipper would live aboard, taking small charter parties on cruising holidays to pay for their keep. It’s not hard to see why the pilot cutter was such a popular choice, for charter or for private use. They are legendarily seaworthy, comfortable, handsome and, for a boat of the size and age, weatherly and fast. These two 45-footers (13.7m) are among the many built or restored by John Raymond Barker and built just a year apart – 2008 for Mischief and 2009 for Morwenna of Bristol. Both were worked up from the original (lost) 1906 Mischief, by the late yacht designer Ed Burnett with the builder, and you could not name two people better experienced to do so. As Mischief was launched, work was starting on Morwenna (as she was then known). Both are built in larch planks on oak frames. The difference between the two, which share the replica Mischief hull shape, is to deck and cabin layout, and finish. Mischief was built as a comfortable owner’s cruising yacht, while Morwenna was built to charter. This is not to say that Morwenna is spartan, as the editor can attest, having sailed most of a Fastnet race in her in 2009. Both are in good shape and ready to go, with plenty of recent work.

There is a lot made these days of the lore of the pilot cutters: how they evolved for speed (to get to the waiting ships first, to get the work of guiding them safely home); how they could cope with all sea conditions; and how, with the pilot put aboard the big ship, they were so easy to sail, that the apprentice would sail the pilot cutter back to port on his own. These days, you wouldn’t buy one as a singlehander, or to race, but they arguably remain as the aristocrats of the working boat, with the great qualities of reasonable speed, great seaworthiness and comfort, and enormous appeal. As a bluewater cruiser or charter yacht, you’d still be hard pressed to beat a pilot cutter at the size.

Both boats are lying in the UK. Details at sandemanyachtcompany.co.uk Tel +44 (0)1202 330077