Our Gigs...

Rapparee...

Rapparee is a replica Cornish pilot gig - a six-oared rowing boat, originally built of Cornish narrow leaf elm, 32 feet long with a beam of 4ft 10ins. They were one of the first shore based lifeboats that went out to vessels in distress, with recorded rescues going back as far as the late 17th century. Originally a general work boat, the Cornish gig was used to take pilots out to incoming vessels off the Atlantic, and the races were between gigs competing to get their pilot aboard the vessel and so win the business.

All gigs are built to the same specification and the Cornish Pilot Gig Association (CPGA) inspectors monitor each new gig at least three times during its construction to ensure compliance with the standard. All modern gigs are built to the specification of the gig ‘Treffry' which was built by Peters of St Mawes, Cornwall, in 1838 and is still owned and raced by Newquay Club.

Gigs are built to weigh approximately 7cwt (355.6kgs) - Rapparee is estimated to weigh about 5cwt. There are eight thwarts (seats) : one for the Coxswain, six for the rowers, with three rowers on each side of the gig, and one - the ‘Seagull'- for the pilot/passenger.

Rapparee is made of Scottish Wych Elm - 50 cubic feet of timber is reduced by selection of the most suitable wood to the 28 cubic feet that eventually forms the boat.

The Builders...

Rapparee is the fourteenth gig built by Brian and Andrew Pomeroy of Dartmouth, Devon. Brian has a lifetime's experience in his craft, serving his apprenticeship in Dartmouth in 1962, and working for a time in North Devon for J.Hinks & Son of Appledore. The keel was laid in November 2007 and the build completed in May 2008. Contact Brian and Andrew on 01803 833887 to order your gig for about £18,000 - while stocks of elm last.

Capstone and Lantern

IPGC are lucky to have two fibreglass training gigs, they are Capstone (2008) & Lantern (2009)

The training boats allow for the club to still row whilst Rapparee is at regattas. The training boats are both predominately white with burgundy trim.  Lantern and Capstone whilst heavier than Rapparee are both more stable to help combat the elements outside of our harbour.

Capstone and Lantern are named after the hills that form Ilfracombe's coastline. Lantern hill features on the club's logo.