The Most Seaworthy Small Sailboats - Bristol Channel Cutter - Ep 278

Have you seen the One Simple Question sailboat movie? Ever heard of the Bristol Channel Cutter? Lin and Larry Pardy had this as their first circumnavigation sailboat. Interested in a world travelling sailboat? Want to know the history of Bristol Channel Pilot Cutters? This week we explore the sailboat made to pilot the Bristol Channel in Great Britain. We look at the history of tall ship piloting in England and how this little sailboat was fast, agile, and extremely seaworthy not just for that job but also, to sail around the world many circumnavigating many times as what might be, the most seaworthy small sailboat ever made.
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[@cmurph321]

It's the boatiest looking boat that ever boated. I love them.

[@joshthalheimer]

Indeed! Such boatacity!

[@skyedivers]

Wait til you see Boaty McBoatface. Lol

[@teresacarey2215]

Hey, Lady K Sailing, thanks so much for the shout-out!! We're glad you like the movie. And it brought back great memories to see clips of it and pictures of BCCs. Although, I still say the Nor'Sea is better! ;-)

[@LadyKSailing]

Wow! Thank you for watching!

[@Sailor7sea89]

where can i watch your movie maa'm

[@ChasingFreedom8]

How can we watch the film?

[@destrollip506]

Feature Film: One Simple QUESTion A journey in a small sailboat to find a record-breaking iceberg

[@Rsapper37]

Seriously? Because BCC is a bit out of my price range. But I found a Nor'sea that's reasonable...and closer. Not a big fan of bow either.

[@sjd9214]

I built an William Atkins channel cutter and sailed her from Vancouver, Canada to Mombasa, Kenya, crossing the Pacific and the Indian Ocean. Incredibly seaworthy boats, and champions of heaving to. Journey took me 5 years.

[@LadyKSailing]

Very nice!

[@dherman0001]

The kind of boat that puts a smile on your face when you see it.

[@stevevics]

I learned how to sail on the Bristol Channel and Severn estuary. It certainly made seamanship a high priority. Love Bristol Channel cutters and pitot cutters. Thanks Lady K Sailing

[@LadyKSailing]

Wonderful! Thanks for watching!

[@newfiescreech7328]

A movie recommendation and a review of a small seaworthy boat! My kind of video!

[@cellobob2358]

My wife and are taking a sailing class in Maine at Teresa and Ben's school, Morse Alpha Expeditions. We're excited about it!

[@LadyKSailing]

Nice!!!

[@MurkyDregs]

They run a great teaching expedition, have fun!

[@markmurphy3739]

One of the best channels on KZbin. I don't miss an episode.

[@johnnyhag675]

It is Theresa's fault that I became addicted to sailing channels. She sailed a Nor'Sea 27 solo and made some incredible videos years ago. Met her husband, who also sailed his own boat solo....the rest is history.

[@marinejoiner2388]

Nice Video. What about a review of the Cape George 36? Same boat used by Kirsten in the Golden Globe. Fast and solid.

[@robertgold2643]

Sailing Artha’s doing a smashing job refitting one of these on her own down in the islands for anyone wanting to see all the ins and outs of a BTC. 😉

[@skyedivers]

Hi Tim, I love your channel and I love all of your episodes. But this is easily one of my favorites. It's exceptionally good. Great job. Well done. Keep on rocking it

[@LadyKSailing]

Wow, thanks!

[@svsalserenity4375]

Great Video as usual. You should do a whole series on great sea boats and what makes one .

[@mrgearha7188]

Good job. Your summary is accurate. I had my BCC built by Sam Morse Co back in 1995. I still have her. She will definitely outlive me.

[@Mr_G_in_Alba]

Norwegian Colin Archer pilot boats as an alternative, at a fraction of the prices being quoted for the Bristol Cutter 👍

[@Westsail]

That is why I chose a Westsail 32. 👍👍

[@ICFUBAR]

The Pardys, Larry and Lin, are sailing legends and did so without a motor, using a long sweep instead. Spent an evening listening to Larry speak on sailing and life. Sadly Larry is gone now. Don't know if Lin is still with us. Anyway great review of a truly great sailboat design.

[@sailingmrnice]

I grew up on the Bristol Channel. Born in Barry we had the second highest tide in the world. It's where we learned to sail!!

[@MurkyDregs]

Ben & Theresa are awesome people. Ben basically taught me how to sail.

[@johnsranchlife8634]

I’ve been drooling over this boat for many many years.

[@adrianskipper-i8o]

Very reassuring this design is robust and up to the task of blue water ocean sailing ⛵️.thanks for the review. I’m adding this one to my list of possible boats suitable for ocean cruising.

[@gregoneil2036]

BCC's are still built and available from Cape George Marine in Port Townsend WA. (from the Sam Morse molds)

[@knlazar08]

Speaking of Pilot Cutters, your viewers might enjoy checking out a YT channel called "Sampson Boat Co." It consists of a Brit named Leo that's spent many years rebuilding a Pilot Cutter called "Tally Ho", that won the Fastnet race in 1927. And then had a really interesting history, including running aground in the Pacific, nearly sunk, and being repaired by the local natives! She ended up abandoned on the Oregon Coast, until Leo bought her, moved her to Washington, lofted her from scratch, and finally got her launched. Just a few weeks ago in Port Townsend, in fact. They plan to continue rigging and sea trials, and end up sailing her back to England and race her again, in Fastnet 2027 this time. At over a century old, she won't be the youngest girt at that ball, but she might still be the prettiest! Watching the years worth of videos show that the entire thing has been a labor of love. They polished the floors to a mirror finish... just to install them under the sole where they'll never be seen. One can get a hint of the beauty from the hanging knees that do show though. IMO, Tally Ho is utterly gorgeous. I don't know if Fastnet has various classes, but it wouldn't surprise me if she wins again. And if she doesn't, she'll still be the prettiest Centenarian around! :-)

[@LadyKSailing]

Nice!

[@knlazar08]

@@LadyKSailing Is Tally Ho not the most gorgeous boat around? The newest vid is just out today and guess what? She ran aground on the second outing returning to Port Townsend harbor! I might consider that an ill omen... except that everybody runs aground eventually. I think that Tally Ho was just getting it out of her system now, when it was an easy grounding. Or maybe she remembers her big grounding in the Pacific in the 50's and wants to ground easy this time, instead of rip her side open! I believe that even inanimate objects have feelings. Esp. sailboats. 🙂 Fastnet 2027! I'll be putting money on her!

[@dominicthomas8726]

I sailed from Cardiff (in the Bristol Channel) the other week. Rough seas for sure but stunning scenery.

[@freemansmith1]

Well done! Very interesting back story. Great vid, tthanks Tim!

[@tomcostello2274]

You definitely have a talent for helping us all feel the romance of sailing the world on a small wooden boat. They may be a total pain to maintain, but they are true beauty on the water.

[@todddunn945]

BCC 28s are fiberglass.

[@factanonverba6169]

Looking at the sail plan and hull reminded me of SV Tally Ho. Thanks, good stuff.

[@kevingardner1658]

Mate, I'm in love with BCC's and I think that this is probably your best episode yet

[@skyedivers]

I'll second that. One of my fav too.

[@SimonCrouch-qu6gh]

I've always loved these vessels, Tim. Well done as usual.

[@LadyKSailing]

Many thanks!

[@SurfinScientist]

And as a bonus, these boats are eye candy.

[@Trevessa24]

Just found Lady K... Excellent information. All sensible and correct too.

[@LadyKSailing]

Thanks for watching!

[@knlazar08]

OFC. He's Canadian! Besides politeness, sensible and correct are a Canuck's main features.

[@michaelguy6812]

I have to agree with everything you said - My BCC Adventure Hull No 79 is one of the photographs you've used ! At 6.08in your video. Lyle Hess said "It's a boat that will bring you home!" no matter what.

[@72Mrmojojojo]

Really good information. I really like these boats.

[@teeheeteeheeish]

Ive seen Blackbird in Port Hadlock in person, she turns heads everywhere she goes. Having that pilot house is a necessity in the NW, but definitely a selling point for anybody.

[@noneomarxistactor2863]

Westsail 32 is sea worthy in all conditions and will get you home ! Survived Halloween Storm of 92 if I remember year correctly ! Most know as the Perfect Storm !

[@hsiwbdksndhsksnd]

What cool and informative video! Nicole from Sailing Artha has been doing an extensive refit on her BCC and has quite a few videos on the process. Since she is a very good writer, I bet she can come up with a great Practical Sailor article on these boats once she finishes!

[@BlueMoon-rm9yv]

www.youtube.com/@SailingArtha/videos

[@bellwether9496]

Small but mighty!

[@goodnewsfromgod-bybob5710]

I love this story and “recommendation”! Thanks again!

[@kirks386]

Thanks for sharing your sailing history knowledge. Peace be the Journey.

[@rimasmeleshyus9486]

Bristol Channel Cutter wooden classic design sailboat ⛵️. My favorite is. all the time .I sailed in the Pacific and really liked it .

[@chrispitchford6045]

Great stories, great boat.....I'm sold!

[@rogerc4196]

Another excellent video, as always. As for the most seaworthy small boat... I think the Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 is a strong contender too. But they're all good at this tier.

[@ericthomsen9644]

I believe the molds for this boat ended up in Port Townsend, WA at the builder of Cape George cutters. I visited the factory in Costa Mesa many years ago and was graciously given the tour by then-owner Roger. They were a primarily semi-custom opperation only doing about three hulls at a time. Good boats and great design!

[@timdunn2257]

I'm confused. Is this boat wood or fiberglass?

[@ericthomsen9644]

@@timdunn2257 They're glass, but there are many examples of Hess designs out there in wood as well. The Samuel Morse company used to build them in Costa Mesa, but the molds are now in Port Townsend from what I understand.

[@timdunn2257]

@@ericthomsen9644 Hi, Eric - I finished out a Skookum 34 built in Port Townsend. Blondie Hasler designed a junk schooner rig for me for it. Her masts were fir trees cut from the hill above Port Townsend in the Hadlock area, trimmed and tapered with a broad axe and a drawknife, in 1974. It sounds like she would have been tender, but she was actually as stiff as a church. She had a big rig, 740 sq. ft., but low. Her mainmast head was only 35' above the partners. Her hull was designed by Ed. Monk Sr., surely his last sailboat design. I sailed her to Hong Kong via the South Pacific. At that time, back in the early 70s, there were a couple of companies there that made Atkin designed Ingrid glass hulls. We ancient mariners remember Lynn and Larry Pardey and their engineless Bristol Channel cutter. Sadly, he has passed away.

[@richardstever3242]

First sail was on a boat named Serenity. It should have been called Calamity as we almost ran aground off Beausoliel Point on Georgian Bay.

[@brucegarrison4999]

Thank you Tim

[@martinsaunders7925]

The first sailboat I sailed on was Equinox,from circa 1880. It led to me living on a sailboat for 34 years. Presently a 1968 Pearson 300 pilothouse.

[@philboynz]

My home stomping ground, I have jumped off that pier as a kid so many times, huge tides and lots of water moving.

[@sirjabbas]

Interesting vid. Really liking the boat history/backstory line. More please :) 👍

[@Mira3441]

Aw, I like that review! Thanks!❤

[@LadyKSailing]

Thanks for watching!

[@Mira3441]

@@LadyKSailing you are so welcome! I only sailed sunfish and 410's on a lake in college, but they brought me infinite joy. I always wonder if my sailing ability with small craft would transfer to larger vessels. They just seem like so much more management!

[@maurolimaok]

What a beautiful boat! Classic, romantic living, boat.

[@daijones101]

Great post

[@LadyKSailing]

Thanks for listening

[@rogerirwin8878]

OK I give up! Where do I find this movie. I've tried Netflix, Apple, Amazon Prime. Please direct me to a source? Thx!!

[@JenkinsBoatWorks]

I have an infatuation for the pilot cutter. Awesome video. thanks! Chuck

[@knlazar08]

If you like pilot cutters, you'll LOVE Tally Ho: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqSxhmmDoqt1a8k

[@jasondevine4210]

Do you have a couple of recommendations for a 6’4” man looking for a Bluewater sailboat? Thanks for your videos!!!!!

[@patreilly4293]

Great video. There is a KZbin channel called Sailing Artha, where a young single woman is restoring one of these right now in the Dominican Republic. Solid boat!

[@rogerirwin8878]

Nicely done!

[@LadyKSailing]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@niccat7051]

There's a saying here where I live in Cardiff. “If you can sail single-handed in the Bristol Channel “ you can sail anywhere!! I can confirm that this is probably true!!

[@TheCrabbers]

Beautiful little video.

[@LadyKSailing]

Thanks for watching!

[@thetraveller3577]

Can you tell me if william and john aitkin boats have much of a following in your part of the world. ? Loved the video ....amazing history. Before the gaff cutters it was all square rigged!

[@kristjanvanwissen1315]

at 9:28, that boat reminds me of a Dreadnought. Wondered if that was a BCC or some variant? Nice video, thanks.

[@richardduval9237]

Thank you!

[@LadyKSailing]

You're welcome!

[@stevewaechter7759]

Tim, I have been watching a lot of sailing youtube channels and love them, yours being a favorite. You mention Delos all the time. I have seen the Sailing SV Delos channel with the man and wife and daughter. But tonight you said something about two or three guys sailing on Delos for years. Is that the same? Clue me in here! I don't know if the couple with the daughter are the Delos people you are talking about.

[@michaelrobinson8915]

Awsome work, blessings...m

[@LadyKSailing]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@kirenireves]

How do you get out to the end of the bowsprit in rough seas to change head sails or fix a furler? I would guess that pilot cutters back in the old days didn't have to change head sails so often since they would set the boat up for the day's conditions before leaving harbor to go meet ships. Anyone with a long bowsprit care to comment. I love BCCs but I can't see shimmying out there (even with netting on both sides of the sprit) in a mid-Atlantic storm to fix or change something. What am I missing? On larger boats (e.g. Tayana 37) the bowsprit has a platform. Can the BCC be retrofitted with a platform?

[@10lauset]

Cheers.

[@patrickconnor8223]

I own its little sister-the Falmouth Cutter 22; incredible quality and a surprisingly fast cruiser despite its heavy displacement. My only wish is that they used an interior layout like the Pacific Seacraft Flicka. If they did, it would double the interior storage capacity of the Flicka with only two additional feet of hull length.

[@Peter-jo3wt]

I've been a big fan of Taiwanese Teak Monstrosities, but you mau have permanently turned my head to Bristal Cutters.

[@markjennings2315]

Desiderata is for sale. Wonderful boat. Met it in New Zealand.

[@rickemmet1104]

Hey Tim, that boat reminds me (not that it looks similar to it) of Joshua Slocum's boat, the Spray. The story of the creation of the boat and how it was sailed. Slocum's book was published in 1900 and is extremely well written. Slocum was not a professional writer, but wrote better than most of the novelists of that era. It's a great story, Joshua was the first person to sail around the world alone, hence the title, "Sailing Alone Around The World." And Joshua also built the boat himself!

[@rickemmet1104]

Two Years Before The Mast was also fantastic. I read that about four times.

[@timdunn2257]

You can read Captain Slocum's book free on the internet. It's amazing. His boat couldn't possibly be more different than a Bristol Channel Cutter, though. It's lead mine versus skimming dish.

[@SuperChriscunningham]

Larry was a great sailor. His passing is very sad

[@beorbeorian150]

. Love the vids.

[@LadyKSailing]

Thanks for watching!

[@luapbopbop]

Ha! Growing up our family boat, a Coronado 34, was named Desiderata. I’m in my 60s and never met anyone who knew the poem, let alone tattooed with it.

[@SailingAwayNZ]

Six knots 🤣🤣 Great video. I'll stick with my Catamaran build, light and fast

[@MrChrisHobday]

Hi I’ve just got a Fisher 25 check them out very similar boat designs & another work horse. I would love to know what you think, please? You’re doing fantastic work on both channels & you should be very proud of what you’ve achieving. Thank you for all the great content, it’s a real pleasure to sit down & get out of my wheelchair after sailing & watch some Lady K.

[@LadyKSailing]

I will check it out

[@MichaelMechsner]

Unfortunately BCC's are few and far between. As such they are very expensive!!

[@MM-vv8mt]

Royal Navy and Yankee Coast Guard cutters were the maritime highway patrol of their day, winging in to interdict smugglers. The evolution of cutter design in the 18th and 19th centuries were indeed part of a long technological arms race that began with Henry the Navigator and which continues to this day.

[@donnasingleton6320]

The penultimate sailing vessel. My all time favorite design is the Bristol Channel Cutter.....unfortunately I'll never be able to afford one short of winning the lottery(that I never play)

[@douglas9825]

Hey Lady K, are you savey to Leo and the Tally Ho story? Incredible You tube venture.

[@colinbarnard6512]

You may wish to pick another astronaut. Neil Armstrong did NOT complete many Earth orbits in his career as a NASA astro. In Gemini 8, he and Dave Scott completed only 7 orbits before having to return to Earth after a thruster malfunction. Apollo 11, he, Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins only orbited 1.5 times before TLI. So, Armstrong has only orbited the Earth 8.5 times. I'd choose Peggy Whitson, or Sergei Krielev. Or, as a fellow Canuk, Chris Hadfield. Great vid!

[@scotmcpherson]

Not gonna lie, the frank zappa riff totally pulled this video together

[@patricesavard366]

There's a Bristol 30 for sale on marketplace, in my area, 500$... No clue of the state, there's only one picture. Unfortunately, I don't have the space to store it ☹️

[@todddunn945]

There has been a BCC 28 next to Seaquestor in the shed for the last two winters. It looks pretty small next to my Allied 36 and isn't any more seaworthy. They are pretty, but I wouldn't buy one because I don't like sprits, boomkins and the small interior.

[@kjaubrey4816]

I might have had a few drinks the other night, put in a $17 bid on an abandoned trailer sailboat on a military base right outside of DC and won the auction for $20 with auction fees. They don't know what the make or model is but from looking at pictures, I think it is a Halcyon 23. The description says that the rough measurement is 25 ft. I don't know how accurate that is. Either way, I have a project and I am excited.

[@LadyKSailing]

Nice!

[@Sailor7sea89]

where can i watch the movie ?

[@sabincolton602]

What about the Bristol 35.3 (1967)? It is well appointed and built like a brick house. It does quite week with only a genoa.

[@sabincolton602]

well

[@tomlambert1833]

There is one here in Gibsons Marina BC Canada kept in pristine condition..

[@gsullivan3262]

Hilaire Belloc would be proud!

[@RussOcean]

Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning

[@loveyou211ful]

I follow you and I’d like to ask, am I crazy to want to learn and buy a sailboat at 60?

[@LadyKSailing]

you are definitely not crazy - anyone can learn to sail at any age - go for it!

[@luisadriandelgado5343]

can you share some light on Lyle Hess other boat design the Nor Sea 27

[@BlueMoon-rm9yv]

also "SILLY GOOSE NorSea 27"

[@Monkeywrenchmotorcycles]

I came across them when I was searching for an old full keel bluewater boat and had to sadly rule them out based on price.

[@billfromgermany]

Have you not heard of the Vertue? I think the Vertue was a contender for the title long before the Bristol Channel Cutter.

[@dvldr]

Besides the name, does the channel cutter have anything in common with the original bristol channel pilot cutters? I mean, the hull lines are completely different, the rig is different, probably the sailing characteristics are also different. Looks more like a marketing strategy.

[@130bowman]

Watch “Chasing Bubbles”

[@LadyKSailing]

Already have, many times- one of my favourites 😊

[@seanrhone5306]

Thought they were using a Nor'sea 27?

[@johnnyhag675]

Theresa sailed a Nor'Sea 27 solo. Her future husband Ben, had the Bristol Channel Cutter, if memory serves me.

[@SailingArtha]

😃❤

[@waynebuzzell2483]

Haven't even heard of it.

[@KenDavies-qv3fs]

The BCC is the best small boat on the water.

[@saltydogashore]

Tal- yes - inn is how you say it

[@mfournier12]

Expensive boat if you can find one for sale you’re going to be paying a lot for a 28ft boat. So it’s a boat for the well healed sailor. (I suppose you could find a barn or put up a shed and build your own if you have the skill like Larry Pardy)

[@SalingSamantas]

There's no hin number on my Columbia 10-7 either paid in 79