ALPHA

Bristol Channel Pilot Cutters are generally recognised as being among the most successful fore and aft rigged sailing boats ever built (see The Sailing Pilots of the Bristol Channel by Peter Stuckey , Gaff Rig by John Leather, and many other sources). The pilots of the period were self-employed privateers, competing for the available work and therefore requiring to gain every possible advantage. Alpha was commissioned by Pilot William Prosser in 1904, towards the end of the period during which these vessels flourished, and hence represents the pinnacle of evolution of the type. She is a particularly beautiful example of our maritime history, maintained in exceptional condition.

She was built in Fleetwood by William Stober, a master builder of Morecambe Bay prawners, and she has some characteristics of these fine boats combined with Prosser's specification, which would have included requirements for speed and sea kindliness. The amalgamation of the pilot service and the introduction of power led to the de-commissioning of most of the sailing Pilot Cutters by the early 1920s. Alpha was sold out of the Prosser family in 1924 for use as a private yacht, in which capacity she served seven subsequent owners until I bought her in 1990.

I bought her with the specific intention of using her as a charter boat in the Hebrides, and therefore between October 1990 and March 1992 with the help of “Sam” Samuels and Alan Robinson I undertook a substantial rebuild and up-grading to DOT requirements, fitting out to an appropriate standard for charter guests whilst retaining the essential character of a turn of the century Pilot Cutter.

Under my ownership Alpha operated successfully between 1992 and 2000 carrying a full complement of 8 including myself as skipper, mainly in the Hebrides but on occasion in the Canaries, Northern France, Channel Islands, Scillies, the South Coast of the UK and the West Coast of Ireland. During this period more than 1000 people had the privilege of sailing aboard Alpha. She is fully equipped to DOT specification and with an extensive inventory to provide high quality cruises off-shore, but in common with all the Bristol Channel Pilot Cutters of the period, she is set up to be sailed by a man and a boy and is therefore equally suitable for service as a private yacht.

At Christmas 2004 Alpha was bought by Willem Scholtes and Beatrijs van der Vorm who took her to Holland in January. Updates of Alpha will be posted at this web address.

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LOA 60ft

Beam 14ft 6ins

Draught 9ft

Displ. 40 tons