SET FOR ANOTHER CENTURY

Curlew has been through a lot over the last 108 years, but her owner’s philosophy was to make a strong boat even stronger

- NIGEL SHARP

It was in the early part of the 19th century that Falmouth quay punts began to transport supplies, messages and crew to ships visiting the port of Falmouth, as well as providing pilotage. They would race out to sea in all weathers to ‘seek’ incoming ships and offer their services. A characteristic of the quay punts was a main mast short enough to clear the lowest yardarm of a heavily laden ship, and so the mainsail was gaff with no topsail. With their mizzen masts stepped immediately forward of their transom-hung rudders, by definition they are ketches, but their small bermudan mizzen sails sheeted to a bumkin give them the appearance of yawls, and they have always been referred to as such. They were typically three-quarters decked for ease of handling cargo and, astonishingly, considering the conditions they often faced, there is only one recorded instance of a foundering – Fear Not, off the Lizard in 1900, with the loss of two hands.

By the early 20th century, the days of working quay punts were numbered, but their characteristics (seaworthy, suitable for shorthanded sailing, relatively fast and with roomy hulls) were highly desirable for cruising. So, not only were the retired boats easily converted to fulfill that role, new ones were commissioned to be built as yachts.