1987 Newbridge Pioneer Pilot Elite 26

• GRP construction
• Pilot house motor sailer constructed to builder’s ‘Elite’ specification (with optional larger engine)
• Original gelcoat finish throughout
• Cast iron bilge keels
• Skeg-hung rudder (new skeg to rudder shoe and pivot 2022)
• Non-slip decks
• Anchor locker
• Last ashore, antifouled and anodes changed April 2022
• Date of last survey unknown
• #40 of about 50 built

• 18hp Volvo 2002 series two cylinder inboard diesel engine (raw water cooled, reliable, last serviced May 2021 with apporx. 28 hours since)
• Shaft drive to rope cutter and 3 bladed propeller
• ManeCraft maintenance free shaft seal
• 58 litre stainless steel fuel tank with deck filler and dipstick
• Steering from either wheel at internal helm/nav station or tiller from cockpit
• Engine controls (including 2 x rev counters) in both cockpit and at internal helm position
• 2 x 12V batteries (60Ah & 100Ah)
• Battery isolator/selector switch
• Batteries charged by alternator or 20 watt solar panel and controller (2022)
• 4 amp 230V battery charger (2022)
• Renogy battery monitor with shunt (2022)
• Wired for shore power with 2 x double sockets in cabin
• 230V (mains) shore power cable

• Bermudan Sloop rig
• Deck stepped aluminium mast with in-mast roller reefing
• Aluminium boom
• Rotostay headsail roller reefing (new upper swivel 2022)
• Stainless steel standing rigging (age unknown)
• Polyester running rigging (most renewed 2022)
• Winch for mainsail out-haul and in-haul lines
• 2 x Antal self tailing winches for genoa sheets
• All lines lead back to cockpit (ideal for single handing)
• Mainsail (by Rockall Sails, age unknown, in fair condition, rolled in/out from behind the mast)
• Genoa with UV strip (by Rockall Sails, age unknown, in fair condition, roller reefing)
• Mainsail cover

• 6 berths in 2 cabins
• V-berth at bow (converts to double) with escape/ventilation hatch over and access to anchor locker forward
• Double berth and bench seat in cabin central section
• Double berth in aft cabin to port
• All berth upholstery renewed in 2021
• Internal helm seat and navigation table to port
• Galley and separate heads to starboard
• Folding doors to both heads and aft cabin for privacy
• Galley provides Nelson gas cooker (2 burners, grill and oven), insulated ice chest with drain, stainless steel sink (12V pumped cold supply), worktops and stowage
• 2 x Calor gas cylinders (not full) in self draining cockpit locker
• Heads provides Jabsco marine toilet (no holding tank) and sink (12V pumped cold supply)
• Saloon/cabin table (height adjustable)
• Crockery and cutlery for four persons
• Curtains for all windows
• 12V lighting to all areas, plus 3 x 230V (mains) powered lights
• Maximum headroom approx. 1.96m (6ft 5in) in nav station/galley/heads/aft cabin access areas, lowering to 1.83m (6ft) forward of pilothouse windows and 1.75m (5ft 9in) under raised cabin table

Navigation Equipment

• 2 x steering compasses (one in cockpit, one at internal helm position)
• Autohelm electronic handbearing compass
• Autohelm ST2000 tiller pilot with remote control
• Autohelm ST50 depth sounder wtih weather cover
• Autohelm ST50 wind instrument with weather cover
• Autohelm ST50 depth and wind repeater at internal helm position
• 10″ Android tablet with Navionics charting at internal helm position
• Standard Horizon 5″ chartplotter with CMap charting and weather cover in cockpit
• Standard Horizon fixed DSC VHF radio at internal helm position
• Standard Horizon remote handheld DSC VHF radio (with 12V cockpit socket)
• V-Tronics VHF aerial and hawk wind indicator (2022) at masthead
• NASA LED combi tricolour and anchor light (2022) at masthead
• LED bicolour nav light (2022) on pulpit

Safety Equipment

• Firdell Blipper radar reflector
• Jotron 121.5 Mhz emergency transmitter (probably needing new battery)
• 2 x fire extinguishers (probably need replacing)
• Stainless steel pulpit and pushpit rails, stanchions and guardwires
• Horseshoe lifebuoy and bracket
• Manual bilge pump

Deck Equipment

• Simpson Lawrence vertical axis manual anchor winch/windlass
• 7.5kg claw type anchor connected via swivel (2022) to 25 metres of 8mm chain (all in excellent condition)
• 10lb plough type kedge anchor to short length of 8mm chain and warp
• Sprayhood (elderly but waterproof and serviceable)
• Cockpit spray dodgers with boat name (not currently fitted)
• Fore, aft and centre cleats
• Many ropes
• 8 x fenders
• Boathook
• Mooring aid
• Red ensign
• Bucket, brush, etc.

Other Equipment

• Over boom cockpit tent with zipped access panel and window (appears to be unused)
• 2 x cockpit cushions
• RWO telescopic tiller extension
• Tiller cover
• Operator’s manuals, etc.

The Newbridge Pioneer Pilot is one of the smallest pilothouse motorsailers ever built. Following on from their earlier success with the Corribee, the Pioneer 26 and Pioneer Pilot 26 were the largest of a range of what proved to be popular and distinctive, thanks to the solid dark-painted band around the coachroof, cruising yachts built by Newbridge Boats, the smaller models being the Virgo 23, Venturer 22 and Navigator 19. Designed by Bill Dixon, well known for his Moody designs, the Pioneer Pilot offers two steering positions (wheel inside and tiller outside) and surprisingly spacious accommodation for up to six including a small aft cabin.

The current (and fifth) owner bought “Voorlooper” early in 2022 for his single handed ‘swansong East Coast cruise’. This successfully accomplished, he states that he has now joined the ‘Old Bloke Pottering on a Boat going Nowhere club’! Voorlooper is in far too good condition to provide adequate pottering opportunities and hence she is now offered for sale.

PLEASE NOTE: This vessel was previously British Part 1 registered, but the registration was not renewed by the previous/fourth owner. This vessel does not have a BSS certificate, having not previously been used in waters requiring certification. The vessel’s original builder’s invoice (showing spec., the fact that she was delivered by sea in late 1987, and VAT having been paid) is held by the vendor.

MOORING: It’s understood that the vessel’s current berth (finger pontoon with water and mains electric, £130 paid monthly by standing order) may be available, subject to the approval of the berth management.

And finally, for those who are interested… Voorlooper is Dutch for pioneer or scout (literal translation fore looker) and the double OOs are pronounced as in cook, rather than as in soon.