Cockwells go from strength to strength (From Boating Cornwall)

Cockwells go from strength to strength

9:50am Tuesday 9th February 2010

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In November last year the team at Cockwells boat builders in Falmouth celebrated the launch of Merlin, a 48 foot replica of a Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter, which they had built entirely of wood using traditional methods.

Two years ago, Lance Whitehead, a former RAF Squadron Leader who is now an investment banker and venture capitalist, sailed on Polly Agatha, another of Cockwells’ Pilot Cutters.

“Despite the light weather she was impressively fast and the quality of her construction was really outstanding. The finish was more like a Mediterranean racing yacht than an old working boat – just right for my planned high-quality charter business,” said Mr Whitehead.

In 2008 he commissioned Cockwells to build Merlin, based on the lines of Peggy an original Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter built in 1903 by Rowles of Pill. Although based in Bristol, Peggy is often seen sailing the waters of the Carrick Roads.

Mr Cockwell said: “It gave us all great pleasure to see Merlin come out of the shed after we had been working on her for over 14 months. She floated on her lines perfectly. The team here are real craftsman and I am proud to say they did a fantastic job. Sea trials for Merlin began in December and she has been impressing us ever since. Merlin had her first competitive outing on Boxing Day (a fun race in the Carrick Roads) and she took line honours.”

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