The pilot cutters that operated around the coasts of northern Europe until the First World War were amongst the most seaworthy and beautiful craft of their size ever built, while the small number that have survived have inspired yacht designers, sailors and traditional craft enthusiasts over the last hundred years. Even in their day they possessed a charisma unlike any other working craft; their speed and close-windedness, their strength and seaworthiness, fused together into a hull and rig of particular elegance, all to guide the mariner through the rough and tortuous waters of the European seaboard, bought them an enviable reputation. This new book is both a tribute to and a minutely researched history of these remarkable vessels. The author, perhaps the most experienced sailor of the type, describes the ships themselves, their masters and crews, and the skills they needed for the competitive and dangerous work of pilotage. He explains the differences between the craft of disparate coasts - of the Scilly Isles and the Bristol Channel, of northern France, and the wild coastline of Norway - and weaves into the history of their development the stories of the men who sailed them. Written to complement the recent histories of pilot schooners and open boat pilotage, edited and written by the author, this book will be an essential addition to the libraries of historians and enthusiasts of traditional boats. AUTHOR: Tom Cunliffe has sailed more miles aboard original and replica pilot cutters than almost anyone alive, and has voyaged the Atlantic from Brazil to the Arctic and from the Caribbean to Russia. Well known for his journalism, he is also the author of many books on the sea which include historical works on pilot schooners and a definitive text book on gaff rig seamanship.

SELLING POINTS: * Definitive history on perhaps the most popular class of traditional sailing vessel * Author an internationally renowned sailor and maritime historian * Superb collection of colour and black and white illustrations ILLUSTRATIONS: 160 colour & b/w illustrations.