Cornubia in the Antigua Classics Regatta 2025
Cornubia is a stunning example of one of the original “Bristol Channel Pilot Cutters”. Built in 1911 at J Slades & Sons, Polruan, Cornwall. She sailed was operated out of Barry on the north side of the Bristol channel as “Barry Pilot 25” until 1920.
During the Saturday race of the 2025 Antigua Classics Regatta, the 114 year old pilot cutter broke the pivot on the gaff saddle causing the yard to become detached. Fortunately the wind was un-customly light and the sprightly and alert crew noticed before any further damage was caused.
With a race the next morning, Cornubia’s hopes to stay on the podium diminished. In conversation with their neighbor, the equally illustrious “Ticondaroga” suggested they call us.
Within 30 mins we had our fabrication shop open and the yard and saddle back to the shop. Within another hour we had fixed the assembly and substantially beefed up the connection. It was back on the charming cutter by dusk and she was back out racing in the morning.
The owner of Cornubia noted “We called their emergency number at 3pm on a Saturday. They opened up the workshop for us, collected the gaff, fixed it, and returned it within a couple of hours. Quality repair with a smile at a reasonable cost.”
