The Cornish Pilot Gig is a fixed seat, six-oared rowing boat. It is built of Cornish narrow leaf elm and measure 32 feet (9.8 m) long with a beam of four feet ten inches.
A gig is rowed by six rowers and helmed by a cox, it is recognised as one of the first shore-based lifeboats that went to vessels in distress, with recorded rescues going back as far as the late 17th century.
The original purpose of the Cornish pilot gig was as a general work boat, and the craft is used for taking pilots out to incoming vessels off the Atlantic. In those days the race would be the first gig to get their pilot on board a vessel (often those about to run aground on rocks) got the job, and hence the payment.
Today, pilot gigs are used primarily for sport, with around 100 clubs across the globe. The main concentration is within Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, however clubs exist in Somerset, Devon, Dorset, Wales and London. Internationally there are pilot gig clubs in France, the Netherlands, the Faroe Islands, Australia and the USA.
All modern racing gigs are based on the “Treffry“, built in 1838 by William Peters of St. Mawes, and still owned and raced by the Newquay Rowing Club. The building of new gigs is overseen by the CPGA, the governing body of the sport to make sure that the sport retains it’s traditions and one class design specifications.
Here is a list of all the gigs GigRower is aware of, if your gig is missing or information is incorrect please email: info@gigrower.co.uk The CPGA have reported that there are 170 registered with them. We are trying to get them to give us a list of them all.
You might also be interested to see a list of all the gig clubs around the world here, and a list of all the gig builders and the boats they have built here.
A
Active
Ajax
Alfie Jenkins
Amelia Lee
Amy Shaw
Ann Glanville
Arry Paye
Arveth
Avarack
Azook
B
Bacchante
Bedehaven
Black Rock
Black Ven
Black Bird
Bolt
Bolster
Bonnet
Boy Ben
Brabyn
Brisons
Bryanek
Buller
Bucky Doo
C
Cadmus
Campernell
Cape Cornwall
Catalina
Christina H
Cìrce
Corsair
Cormoran
Cream of Cornwall
Czar
D
Daedalus
Dall Lewyer
Dauntless
Dagger
Dasher
De Leifde
Defender
Defiance
Dove
Dolphin
Double Dutch
Drake
E
Ella Rose
Emma Louise
Endeavour
Endurance
Energetic
Energy
Essa
Excalibur
F
Faith
Falcon
Fear Not
Fortitude
Fly
Fury
G
Galatea
Geevor
Ginnette
Golden Eagle
Golden Gear
Good Intent
Governor
Grace
Gull Rock
Gwineas
H
Heart of Hayling
Helford
Henry Smardon
Hollandsche Nieuwes
Hugo Mar
Hope
I
Idas
Invermore
Isambard
Isis
Isolde
Islander
Irene
Irene Too
Iron Maid
J
Jeannie
Joker
Jupiter
K
Kathrin Rose
Kensa
Kerens
Killigerran
Keith Owen
Klondyke
L
Lady Freda
Lantic
Lark
Leah C
Lightning
Lannvorek
Leander
Liberty
Lyonesse
M
Majestic
Manacle Belle
Melusine
Merthen
Men a Vaur
Messack
Millers Daughter
Minnadhu
Morgan
Morvorren
Morlander
Morvoren
Mystery
N
Nipper
Newquay
Neptunus
Nornour
O
Old Harry
Odessa
P
Pedn Billy
Pegasus
Penarrow
Penlee Point
Penny
Petroc
Peveril
Phantom
Pinnacle
Poll Gwragh
Pulpit Rock
Polvarth
R
Ralph Bird
Raparee
Rebel
Regatta
Rhos
Richard Lander
Rival
Rodney Bey
Rouge
Roscarrock
Rose
Royal
Ryder
S
Samphire
Sarafìna
Seahawk
Senara
Shearwater
Sir Tristain
Socoa
Speedwell
Spirit of Langstone
Spirit of Rame
Spy
St. Elvan
Storm
Swift
T
Talisman
Tamar
Tamarisk
Taran
Templer
Teazer
Teign Spirit
Teylu
Top Catch
Torrent
Tregarthens
Treffry
Tristan
U
Unity
V
Verbena
Vliegende Hollander
Volante