Lytham Pilot | Drascombe.uk

The Lytham Pilot

Hampshire Character Boats specialise in the building of these traditional and classic sailing craft which are widely recognised throughout the world for traditional style and quality of build.

The Lytham Pilot has its origins in the small working craft used by local pilots and fishermen as boarding boats. The long shallow keel enables her to be launched and sailed staright off the beach and she can be run ashore without fear of damage. Ballast in the keel gives her better stability than dinghies of a similar size and a more sea kindly motion.

The Lytham Pilot

The craft has rigid buoyancy built in and is certified as a Category C craft for three persons under the EU recreational craft directive.

Like all Character Boats the Lytham Pilot can be launched with the rudder and engine in place, as they are protected by the keel, and therefore can be sailed immediately afloat without the need to get into deeper water to ship a rudder or lower a centre-plate.

They are sturdy boats with good sailing performance, ideal for teaching children to sail or for the owner who wants a small but stable and forgiving craft.

The Lytham Pilot is available with a choice of rigs. She has two mast positions allowing use of either as a single sail rig with the mast forward for simple leisurely sailing or with the mast aft for a sloop rig. The boat is well balanced under either sail plan. The spars are a similar length to the boat making for easy transport.

The Lytham Pilot has a stowage locker under the foredeck and an aft locker which is large enough to store a small 4 stroke outboard engine, its bracket and spare fuel.

The engine is mounted on a removable bracket which simply slots into a base plate mounted on the transom, which is less obtrusive than a permanent bracket. Oars are stowed along the side seating leaving the cockpit unobstructed.