Bill's Log: Privateer 20 Gaff Rigged Trailer Sailer

When I was rowing on the River Crouch not so long ago and I came across this Privateer 20. She was designed by Norman Howard who also designed the Shipmate Senior.* The Privateer 20 is a larger version, but with a clipper bow. Both boats have centre-plates and kick-up rudders. Built by Smallcraft of Blockley in the early 1970s, the Privateer could be rigged as a sloop or as a gaff cutter. The more rakish and attractive to me is the latter. Incidentally, Tony Smith (Creeksailor) rigged his Shipmate Senior** as a gaff cutter. Apparently the conversion from Bermudan sloop turned out to be very successful.

You can learn a lot more about Privateer 20s by watching John Turner’s videos. (See Links below)

*’My Shipmate Senior: http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/lisa-shipmate-senior.html

**Tony’s gaff-rigged Shipmate Senior: http://creeksailor.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/shipmate-senior-gaff-cutter-dimensions.html

Other Links

Privateer 20 and Clipper Bows

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/privateer-20-and-clipper-bows.html

Privateer 20 Details at Sailboat Data

http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=8117

Privateer 20 - Part 1 (Followed by 5 more videos) by John Turner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J551UcvADDg

Privateer 20 Sailing from Liverpool to Anglesey day 1 (Also by John Turner)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4prEQ0trgVE