Yard News
A Pilot Gig for Bristol & Bath
07 Feb 2007
In the spring of 2006 RB Boatbuilding was approached to build a Cornish Pilot Gig for Bath “Minerva” Rowing club. Realising it would make more practical sense to build two Pilot Gigs side by side we decided to try to start up a Pilot Gig Club for Bristol. Spearheaded by the Underfall Restoration Trust (see Links), funds were raised to build the Pilot Gig “Isambard” by selling sixty four shares in the boat.
The keel was laid at the end of August 2006,
As an example of a wooden work boat, the Cornish Pilot Gig is quite extreme. It is a lean, fast, six oared rowing boat, with inbuilt flexibility, designed to withstand very rough seas.
They measure 32ft overall with a beam (width)of 4ft 10”.
They are all built to specifications taken off the Cornish pilot Gig “Treffry” which was built in 1846.
To give an idea of the fineness of the build, the planking is of 5/16” Elm, the Centreline of oak, the timbers (frames) 5/8” Oak notched over the lands(where the planks overlap), this ties the hull together but allows great flexibility in a seaway. The hull is all copper fastened.
The “Cornish Pilot Gig association” maintain by inspection, the standard of construction throughout the build.
RB Boatbuilding’s dedicated team of craftsman, worked on the two Cornish Pilot Gigs to get the boats ready for the Launch on 27th January 2007.
What has been achieved in the last five months is an heirloom for both Bristol and Bath, something to be used and cherished. To be proud of, and a reminder that skills to build these elegant and practical craft are not lost, but are alive, thriving, and ready to be passed on in time, to the next generation.
