BOATS & EQUIPMENT
Our Pilot 520 Cabin Boats are roughly 17ft long (or as the 520 in the name would suggest, 5.2 meters). They can accommodate up to 5 people including any dogs. Equipped with wheel steering for much easier handling, a 8HP outboard (roughly does around 8/mph at full speed, which is plenty for the 16 mile round trip in a 2 hour window) and roughly 50% of the boat is covered in case of cold winds or rain.
New to 2024 we have purchased some brand new Whaley 435s and they are now available for hire.
With a very modern design and using modern materials these are able to hold up to 8 passengers. Also equiped with wheel steering for easier handling and do roughly the same speed as the Wilson Flyers these will also do the 16mile round journey in approximatly 2 hours.
Our safety equipment is all thoroughly checked by the appropriate government harbour authorities and all equipment provided has passed a safety guarantee that ensures the equipment is never less than 5 years before expiration.
Our life-jackets are also examined and maintained annually at the beginning of every season so you can be sure our equipment will give you peace of mind.
CATHEDRAL HULL DESIGN
A cathedral hull is a hull shape used in modern boats, usually power-driven. It can be thought of as a kind of vestigial trimaran in which the centre hull has two smaller side hulls which are so close to the main hull that there is no longer any open space. A cathedral hull is a vee-bottomed boat with sponsons which extend almost as far forward as the main hull.
The cathedral hull configuration tends to result in a very broad bow; many such boats are completely rectangular. This provides the maximum cargo or working space for a given length and beam. The hull shape is also very stable compared to a conventional v-shaped bottom, and in either light chop conditions or above 40 knots or so is faster than a flat bottom, for the same weight, length and beam. - Wikipedia
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
These handheld flares are designed to give maximum output from a minimum size container. The red IKAROS handheld flare is for short-range distress signaling on ships, lifeboats and life rafts. It is also the best pinpoint signal for pleasure craft. The flares have been developed from the IKAROS parachute flare, which is known to be the best in the world. The case is made of corrosion-resistant steel and carries clear and simple instructions for use. IKAROS handheld flares have been approved globally and meet the latest SOLAS regulations. - Ikaros Manufacturer
We also provide Oars, Fire Extinguishers (with a minimum of 5 years life before expiry) and state of the art (award winning) Baltic Life-jackets approved to EN ISO 12401 standards. (These particular jackets can hold up to 150kg!)
THE PILOT 520 "Wilson Flyer"
The hull is stable enough for fishing on the drift and is not prone to tipping even with the weight distribution being one sided. Some fishermen find that the downside of the design is a bit more hull slap though this can be more down to the waters and conditions than the Flyer itself.
The lateral stability makes handling very solid under choppy conditions and can be planed comfortably at speed.
Sometimes compared to the British spitfire, a functional and traditional boat (not entirely perfect but nevertheless an icon), you won’t find many Flyers that don’t ‘fit the mould’, so to speak. Wilson was known for creating boats by the book and remaining true to the form and design for every single vessel.
The hull is also very responsive holding tight turns and capable of taking far more punishment than you’d expect.
One of the major benefits to the design of the hull is the performance to horsepower ratio and makes the Flyer a very economical boat to run.
Unsurprisingly for a design created by a fisherman, the deck space is roomy and doesn’t have a small boat feel even in the 17’ model (which provides a deck space of 40 sq. ft.). - findafishingboat.com by fafb