About Us

Working Sail offer classic wooden sailing vessels for the connoisseur who wants to stand out from the crowd and own a piece of craftsmanship that is totally unrivalled in the new boat market of today. Recreating vessels from our rich maritime heritage Working Sail are bringing to life the lost traditions and beautiful craft of the past. Based on the lines of the pilot cutters from the Isles of Scilly, which were renowned for their seaworthiness and performance, each vessel is individually designed by designer/shipwright Luke Powell.
Our vessels are built using only traditional materials and methods of construction to the highest possible standard. Each vessel is solidly built using grown oak frames, larch planking and is bronze fastened throughout, giving great strength and longevity. The hardwood decks are caulked with oakum and pitched in the traditional fashion while the hardwood capping rail, coachroof, skylight and hatches are bright varnished.

Description

Working Sail build traditional wooden pilot cutters which are based on the vessels which plied their trade from the Isles of Scilly during the later parts of the19th century. All of our vessel are solidly built using grown oak frames, larch planking and they are bronze fastened throughout, giving them great strength and longevity. The hardwood decks are caulked with oakum and pitched in the traditional fashion while the hardwood capping rail, coachroof, skylight and hatches are bright varnished, making these boats entirely unique in the new boat market of today.
Each vessel is individually designed by boat designer and master shipwright Luke Powell who strongly believes that recreating vessels from our rich maritime heritage is helping to bring back to life some of the nearly lost skills and traditions as well as a few of the once plentiful and beautiful craft of the past.

Our Boats

Working Sail offer classic wooden sailing vessels for the connoisseur who wants to stand out from the crowd and own a piece of craftsmanship that is totally unrivalled in the new boat market of today. Recreating vessels from our rich maritime heritage Working Sail are bringing to life the lost traditions and beautiful craft of the past. Based on the lines of the pilot cutters from the Isles of Scilly, which were renowned for their seaworthiness and performance, each vessel is individually designed by designer/shipwright Luke Powell.
Our vessels are built using only traditional materials and methods of construction to the highest possible standard. Each vessel is solidly built using grown oak frames, larch planking and is bronze fastened throughout, giving great strength and longevity. The hardwood decks are caulked with oakum and pitched in the traditional fashion while the hardwood capping rail, coachroof, skylight and hatches are bright varnished.

The Boatyard

All of our vessels are built using only traditional materials and methods of construction to the highest possible standard. Each vessel is solidly built with double sawn grown oak frames, larch planking and bronze fastened throughout, giving great strength and longevity. The straight-laid decks are scrubbed hardwood complementing the beautiful varnished companionway and skylight. The solid oak bulwarks are capped in a stout varnished rail giving the whole deck area a great sense of security, strength and craftsmenship. The hand carved features such as the bow boards, counter and oak tiller complete the elegance of yesteryear.

Sailing Our Pilot Cutters

Pilot cutters carry a versatile gaff rig which is designed to give the vessel power and speed whilst arranged to be handled by an experienced crew of two. This rig has proven to be extremely adaptable for both racing and long distance cruising. When carrying all their sails, these elegant vessels are most exhilarating to sail, while in their working rig they are able to maintain a steady cruising speed with an easy motion. When balanced the boats are easy on the helm and a absolute joy to sail.