PANACEA
Panacea is a 23-foot gaff cutter designed by Ed Burnett (No.110). She was built in our old workshop in Restronguet between 2017-18 and her maiden sail was at Falmouth Classics, after which she was sent to Western Australia to be enjoyed and admired as a family day-sailer on the Swan River. She was nominated in the Traditional Newbuild Category of the Classic Boat Awards in 2019, coming runner-up.
GALATEA
We were commissioned to build a replica of Panacea after she was seen sailing locally by a couple hoping to purchase a new yacht that better suited their requirements. They fell in love with Panacea and asked Ben if he could build another to the same design.
Galatea is currently being built in our workshop in Gweek, Cornwall and is due to be launched next Spring (2024).
Specifications:
Length Deck: 23’1″ / 7.04m
Length Waterline: 20’2″ /6.15m
Beam: 7’9″ / 2.36m
Draft: 4’0″ / 1.22m: 3.31 tons
Displacement: 3.31 Tonnes
Designer's Comments
There are many small boats out there that try to tick all the boxes. The problem is, if you try to do all these things in a small package you can very easily end up with a boat that doesn’t really do any of them all that well, and suffers a bit in the trying. The solution was to keep things simple and versatile, and rely on the fact that a straight forward and honest little boat will always hand out a good measure of enjoyment for those who are prepared to recognise it.
So, here is a boat that has a nice big cockpit, two bunks, a loo and a bit of space for a galley. The boat has enough sail area to keep her moving along nicely in light airs and the theme of simplicity is carried through to the rig – there is minimal standing and running rigging. Topsail and reacher are entirely optional but would be fun to play with if one has the inclination.
For the rest of it, it’s just trying to be a nice little boat. You can go for a sail around the bay, perhaps do a little fishing, or just chug up the river on a quiet evening to spend the night. After all, the things you are likely to remember are the fish you caught (or didn’t), the various noises from the mud, the birds and the river banks as the tide went out in your favourite anchorage. The boat sets the scene – the fun you make for yourself.
CONSTRUCTION:
Straight grain larch planking on steamed oak frames
Oak sheerstrake, garboard planks and centreline
Bronze strap floors
Lead ballast keel
Teak laid deck on plywood
