FOR SALE:

CARLOTTA - Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter 1899

CARLOTTA, originally named THE SOLWAY, was designed and built by W.H. Halford in Gloucester in 1899 for the Cumberland Sea Fishery Committee. She served as a 'Police Boat' or 'Protection Cutter' patrolling fisheries in Cumberland. Over the years, she transitioned through various owners and roles, eventually becoming a private yacht. Notably, she underwent extensive refits and restorations, blending her historical charm with modern amenities. Recently, she has been meticulously upgraded for ocean sailing, making her an exceptional vessel for racing or extended cruises.

Owner Comments:

Under the present custodianship of a retired Royal Navy Officer, CARLOTTA has undergone significant refurbishment, ensuring her structural and mechanical integrity. Notable upgrades include new deck components, standing rigging, and a suite of modern navigational and safety equipment. Her current owners have spared no expense in maintaining and enhancing her capabilities for discerning sailors.

HISTORY

CARLOTTA was designed and built by W.H. Halford at Gloucester in 1899 for the Cumberland Sea Fishery Committee, who ordered a ‘Police Boat’ or ‘Protection Cutter’ to patrol fisheries in the Cumberland area. She was originally named THE SOLWAY. Halford built at least two other pilot cutters, but CARLOTTA is the sole survivor from this yard. Their boats differed from other pilot boats; the bowsprits were not always offset, instead being placed on the centre-line of the vessel; they featured ‘Valkyrie’ bows – straight stems with substantial rake; and in addition to internal ballast, an external iron keel. Framing was specifically ordered to be just 6 inches allowing for extreme conditions rigidity. That compared with her yacht lime lines made her a very fast protection cutter. When completed, CARLOTTA worked in the River Solway and off the coast of Cumberland around Maryport and Whitehaven with a crew of four to seven men and a Master. In 1907 she was replaced by a steam driven vessel and sold off as a yacht. In 1907 she was sold into private ownership, renamed CARLOTTA, and moved to the Isle of Man, where she was converted to a yacht. Shortly afterwards she was sold again to the next of many owners, David A. Croall of St James’, London, and registered in Ramsey. In 1913 she won the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club Regatta under the ownership of A.R. Hoette. By 1915 her owner was W.G. Luke of Hamble, Southampton, and by 1920 she was owned by a property developer, John Rene Payne, who sailed CARLOTTA out of the Royal Burnham and Royal Corinthian Yacht Clubs. She was beautifully kept and took part in cruiser races. By 1925 she was owned by Lord Gort of East Cowes, a soldier who later rose to the rank of Field Marshal. He fitted her with every comfort and convenience. By 1929 she was owned by a retired Lieutenant Colonel, but in 1933 she was sold again, to George Henry Jordan of Monmouth, who sold her on to Sir Thomas Hewitt Skinner before the end of the year. In 1937 she was bought by Bessie and Aleck Bourne of London, who in 1939 sailed her from France to Guernsey thinking she would be safe there. In 1940 ownership was transferred to three Guernsey men. In 1942 CARLOTTA was found laid up in a canal basin dock near Fleetwood by Richard Twist, who became her next owner. He sailed her out of Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland for about four years, and later chartered her out of St. Mawes, Cornwall, making frequent voyages to France. The Twists kept CARLOTTA for twenty-seven years, until 1969, but in 1970 they sold her to two men from Golant, Cornwall. She subsequently fell into a state of decay, with many frames smashed. But in 1973 a Canadian, Peter Heiberg, found her in the Fowey estuary, bought her then restored her in Falmouth. Heiberg sucessfully sailed her to the Caribbean and then Vancouver in 1981 without the use of an engine. Heiberg continued to sail CARLOTTA and was a regular winner of Old Gaffers’ races in Vancouver. Heiberg owned her for over 30 years, but in 2004 he sold her to the Mohan family, who began the process of restoring her to how she was in 1899. She was back sailing in 2009, although her interior refit was only completed in 2011. In 2015 she was purchased by Michael Wright in London, and she underwent further repair and restoration work. In 2017, she was transported by road and sea to the UK after more than 43 years in British Columbia. Since 2019 she has been under the present custodianship and has been professionally upgraded for ocean sailing by the ‘Elephant’ Boatyard in Burseldon. A refit in May 2023 added a custom made anchor assembly along with a modern generation anchor, hydraulic Wills Ridley autopilot systems backboned into her RayMarine plotters. For planned ocean passaging a hydrogenerator was custom designed in Germany and fitted by the yard. Carlotta won class 2022 Falmouth Classics, placing second in 2023. Carlotta presents immediate ready for her next custodians to racing or extended cruise. She wants for nothing structurally, mechanically or other. Her present owners offer potential delivery options to Med, Caribbean or further afield by negotiation. 2024- Carlotta is booked to race Pilot Cutter Review May, Falmouth Classics June, Brest International Festival of the Sea July and Douanenez Festival followed by planned passage to the Mediterranean July/Aug 24.

Specifications:

• Length: 55’

• Beam: 13’

• Draft: 8’

• Year: 1899

• Builder: W.H. Halford, Gloucester

• Location: River Hamble, United Kingdom

Accommodation:

• Berths: 8

• Headroom: 6'2" throughout

• Layout: Traditional pilot cutter layout with berths fore, amidships, saloon, and aft cabin

• Galley: Equipped with Taylor Oven/2 burner, galley sink, and ample storage

• Heating: Multifuel solid fuel heater (6KW)

• Hot Water: Engine-heated system

Equipment:

• Sails: All made by Lawrence Sails UK 2019: Mainsail, main topsail, Flying jib, Staysail, working staysail. Total sail area 1700 sq ft.

• Rigging: Dyneema 10mm pad eye rigging fully adjustable 2023. 220m of 10mm dyneema rigging line held onboard.

• Ground Tackle: New anchor windlass/winch, 300’ of ½” chain anchor rode, 40KG Rocna Vulcan 2023, and additional anchors.

• Navigation: Full RayMarine Backbone system 2023, Raymarine Hybridtouch 12 inch screen chart plotter with platinum chart series and new transducer (chart table), RayMarine Hybridtouch 8 inch plotter (cockpit), and more.

• Extras: Hobie tandem Out-island pedal drive kayak 2023, Inflatable SUP 12ft 2023, FONE wing foil x2, IFoil inflatable wing board 120L, Armstrong Carbon Foil, and more.

Recent Maintenance:

• Refit Work: New deck, deck beams, bulwarks, rail caps, and more.

• Frames: Some frames replaced or sistered with Oak.

• Planking: All planking replaced with fir/Larch.

• Engine: 2012 Beta Marine 75 hp engine on a hydraulic drive out port quarter with Darglow feathering Featherstream propeller.

• Electrical: New electrical systems throughout in 2014.

• Painting: Bottom anti-foul painted October 2023, Topsides painted September 2023.

Events and Racing:

• Scheduled Events: Carlotta is booked to race Pilot Cutter Review May, Falmouth Classics June, Brest International Festival of the Sea July, and Douanenez Festival followed by planned passage to the Mediterranean July/Aug 24.

Asking Price: £ 320,000. (Approximately $560,000 CND)

CARLOTTA embodies a rich maritime history combined with modern functionality, making her an ideal choice for passionate sailors seeking adventure on the high seas. Serious inquiries only. Contact us for further details and viewing arrangements.

More photos and information upon request. Martyn Clark. sales@agboats.com

Contact Broker Martyn Clark

1 250-880-1415

sales@agboats.com

Abernethy & Gaudin Yacht Brokers