Pilot Gigs

Voyager and Spirit of Westport are built on the lines of the traditional Cornish Pilot Gig. Both are 32 feet long and powered by six rowers with a coxswain to steer.

Pilot Gigs were in common use as early as the 17th century on the rugged Cornish coast. They were used as shore-based lifeboats, fast passage makers, and even had an outlaw streak as they were among the fastest boats of their day. The most famed use of the Pilot Gig (and the use from which the name derives) was to bring a local pilot out to incoming sailing ships to guide these deep draft vessels safely through the treacherous, rock strewn waters that guarded the entrances to protected harbors.

Invariably, there would be more than one pilot in each harbor wishing to get the job, so as soon as a sail was spotted, each pilot would gather their broad-shouldered rowers and race out to the merchant ship. To get the job as pilot, they would simply have to be the first one at the site! As soon as one Gig continuously won, all others would be redesigned, resulting in ever faster craft. Going out in any weather, they balanced speed with great seaworthiness. The result is the fast, safe, beautiful boat that we use today.

Our gigs have a few modifications to the traditional design. We use Concept 2 oarlocks and carbon fiber oars (wonderfully light weight). They are built using a combination of tarditional boat building methods and modern composite materials encapsulated with clear fiberglass cloth inside and out – retaining the beauty and spirit of wood, with a lighter hull that requires substantially less maintenance.

Dories

Products of our Youth Boatbuilding Program, Boatbuilding in Westport, our dories are based on traditional designs for boats used for hunting and fishing along the New England Coast. They approximately 25’, powered by 4 sweep oars, and steered by a coxswain. Our dories and gigs are used in our Community Rowing and Race Training programs.

Singles

In 2019, Boatbuilding in Westport constructed a modern version of a Pete Culler rowing bateau. Two boats were built, each measuring 18' and designed for a single rower on a sliding seat. Construction, using Okoume marine plywood, began by building the hull upside down on station molds. The hull was then strengthened by applying a layer of fiberglass cloth and two skim coats of epoxy. Liberty and W.S. Creamsicle were launched June 1, 2019 at the Head of Westport Landing.