Swale Pilot Gaff Rigged Cutter With Topsail. Drascombe, Crabber, Shrimper

Built in GRP the Swale Pilot is a very pretty traditional gaff rigged dayboat. They are strongly built, easy to maintain,and are great trailer/sailers: very seaworthy and easy to launch/recover from the purpose built De Graff trailer. They can also be kept on a mooring. The origin of these boats is very interesting. The hull was modeled on the sailing/rowing boat off a decommissioned lightship.

A mould was taken from this hull by JEP Marine, based on the Swale, who developed both an open and 3/4 decked version. Whilst JEP sadly no longer manufacture new boats (though they still have the moulds) you can still order spars, sails, fittings, covers etc.The boat pictured sailing with topsail is a slightly older boat (2003) which belongs to a friend and sails on Rutland Water, where I also sailed. There is an internal outboard well (outboard not included) starboard stern side. There is also ample locker storage and a set of oars. I also have life jackets which I would sell at a small extra cost.

I have sailed various types of boats for many years. Originally I sailed and raced dinghies but for the last 15 years I sailed larger boats on the south coast. I bought the Swale Pilot to sail on Rutland water and have found her to be a lovely boat to sail and would also make a brilliant family boat, but at 76 I am finding that I am losing some mobility so am reluctantly giving up what has been an extremely enjoyable sport/hobby. New from the builder these boats were in the mid teens of £'000's some 11 years ago. If you are interested in owning one of these beautiful boats then please contact me.