Pilot House 20

The new Pilot House 20 is the latest thinking from Orkney and TT Boat Designs.

TT are renowned for their Nelson range of launches and pilot boats which have enviable reputations for sea keeping and the ability to operate year round in all conditions.

The brief for the Pilot House 20 was that it should share many of the characteristics of the hugely popular DA19+ in that it should be light enough to be easily trailable whilst imparting a big boat feel afloat.

They also wanted more cabin space whilst retaining the large cockpit area of the DA19+ and without a significant increase in the overall dimensions.

Because the original hull is so good, the new boat is similar in shape in the forward sections to give soft riding characteristics, but more beam is added aft of midships by widening the spray chines, giving improvements in stability without too much increase in drag.

Carrying capacity has been increased, and so too has maximum horsepower - 65hp to 80hp, although a new generation 60hp 4-stroke outboard will cope extremely well.

The extra beam produces a wider cockpit and changes to the outboard well create more space aft, so the new cockpit has the same overall area as the 19+, but the cabin bulkhead is significantly further aft.This ensures much more room in the cabin, which now houses a full length berth convertible to a double, space for a toilet and for a good sized galley beneath the wheelhouse seat.

Another major difference is the fully moulded cockpit which has permitted under floor storage for outboard fuel tanks, general items and batteries in fully lidded lockers.

The cockpit is still self-draining but now has the facility for optional fold down seats in way of the outboard well.