Yachting World — November 2017

November 2017 67

pressed but still in control. The PC55 felt
most in her element on a close reach. With
the sheets cracked a little, she leans over a
few more degrees and takes off. On this
point of sail she heeled onto her full
waterline length and felt nicely balanced.
She is also a dry yacht. Even with the
leeward rail low to the water, not a drop
reached the teak decks. This is due to a
combination of the high freeboard
including bulwarks and traditional sheer,
a fine entry and the near vertical
forward topsides.
I really enjoyed helming on the large
wheel. There is good visibility forward over
the low, angular coachroof. The sole at the
helm slants up at the sides, which is useful
when steering from leeward. Bearing in
mind she is very much a semi-custom
yacht, however, I would also ask for foot

Above: a tall rig,

combined with a

headsail tacked

off the bowsprit,

equates to a lot

of sail area

Left: the

coachroof

mounted main

traveller creates

space for a

› cockpit bimini

Pilots make history

Bristol pilot cutters in the

19th and early 20th Century

in particular gained a sound

reputation for being fast and

seaworthy for their relatively

shallow draught. Speed was

important as the pilots were in

competition with each other to

reach the incoming ships. The

cutters also needed the pace

and agility to outrun the seven-

knot tides experienced in the

inhospitable Bristol Channel.