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View Full Version : Whereabouts of the Pilot Cutter Hirta?


neoclinus
06-12-2010, 06:59 PM
Does anyone know whatever happened to the pilot cutter Hirta?
Can't seem to find any recent news on her, though last I heard she was in pretty sorry condition.

Any information would be much appreciated!
Stephen
06-13-2010, 12:52 AM
Hirta has been totally rebuilt by Tommi Nielsen's yard in Gloucester and has been relaunched this spring under her original name of Cornubia.
Here is a great slideshow of how she looks now:
http://setsail.com/cornubia-an-original-pilot-cutter/#more-11530

http://setsail.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Cornubia-100.jpg

http://setsail.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Cornubia200-119.jpg

I think she may be at the 2010 Pilot Cutter review in Falmouth next weekend?
Stephen
TimH
06-13-2010, 12:54 AM
Nice.
PeterSibley
06-13-2010, 04:04 AM
Understatement of the year !
TimH
06-13-2010, 11:36 AM
Almost as nice as Carlotta. ;)

Actually not too many boats have the attention to detail that has been lavished on Carlotta.
Hwyl
06-13-2010, 11:43 AM
My gob is smacked. Twin hydraulic drives I presume. Love the cockpit and the tiller over the comings. I'd take a chainsaw to the counter.
neoclinus
06-14-2010, 01:57 PM
Absolutely incredible boat!
So glad to see she's getting the care she desperately needed.
TimH
06-14-2010, 02:03 PM
My gob is smacked. Twin hydraulic drives I presume. Love the cockpit and the tiller over the comings. I'd take a chainsaw to the counter.

:eek::eek::eek:
Stephen
06-14-2010, 10:01 PM
Wow - I'm flattered by your compliment.
There have been some very serious pilot cutter restorations lately that I fond over while chanting "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy..."
Perhaps I can up the ante by varnishing the bottom instead of copper painting it.;)
Hirta was actually the boat that peaked my first interest in BCPC's. The cover shot of The Boatman Magazine issue #1 was it for me:
http://www.aandc.org/ims/boatman.jpg
It's great to see her back in the h2o.
David Cockey
06-15-2010, 10:50 AM
We sailed on Hirta for a day in 1992 in Brest during the festival. My recollection is she had only one propeller with the shaft angled inboard to the engine, which makes maneuvering in reverse rather interesting. I could be wrong though.
Stephen
06-15-2010, 02:36 PM
That's right David, previously Hirta just had the one shaft out the quarter. The twin folding props driven hydraulically are a new addition. It's possible to spin the boat within its own length with this set-up - which is quite amazing for a 30ton, 8'-plus draft, full-keel boat!
I would love to take C to Brest someday.