The Ship
Grayhound was built by Marcus and Freya Pomeroy-Rowden. She was launched on the 4th of August 2012. She is a 5/6th scale replica of a three-masted Customs Lugger built in 1776 in Cawsand, Cornwall, UK. Grayhound carries a Category 0 licence for world-wide travel. She can carry 10 to 12 passengers and a crew of 5. She is armed with two cannons.
Accommodation
The interior of Grayhound bears witness to the craftsmanship that characterises the entire ship. The internal spaces are very well thought-out, with a great deal of flexibility to accommodate guests, families and a professional crew.
The Midship and forwards saloon
Grayhound accommodates up to 12 people on a day sail, 10 on a holiday voyage and 8 on a cargo run. If Grayhound is hosting an event at the harbour-side she can take many more on board. She has two toilets. Bunks are dormitory-style, and bed linen is provided. There is a shower for occasional use. Grayhound provides heavy wet-weather and safety gear. We have a communal eating area below with a wide hatch so we can star-gaze while eating. In hot climates we eat alfresco.
The Pilot House
The pilot house at deck level is large and serves many purposes. It is a main route to below deck, chart-room for navigating, daytime shelter with large windows, a place to change clothes and shift to night vision before night watch and, most importantly, as a chill-out area and gathering spot for aperos and meals. It is situated just a few steps up from the galley.
The Galley & Food
The galley is the heart of the ship and is designed to be an efficient and inspiring workspace for the chef. Meals are a highlight of the voyage. Grayhound has a great tradition of using fresh produce and of foraging, producing wholesome meals inspired by local cuisine and maritime traditions. We serve healthy, organic and vegetarian food.
Ship Layout
Ship Specs
| Call sign | 2FMM5 | |
| Flag | Great Britain | |
| Category | 0 – Unlimited | |
| Home Port | Fowely, UK | |
| LOA (Length overall) | 63ft 6” | 19.57m |
| Total Length -including Bowsprit & Outrigger | 108ft | 33m |
| Beam | 19 ft 5” | 5,92m |
| Draught | 10 ft ’9” | 2,8 m |
| Air Draugth | 32 m | |
| Tonnage | 60 tonnes | |
| Sail area -Three masted lug rig | 3500 sq ft | 470 m2 |
| Masts | 3 | |
| Hull | Oak | |
| Loading Capacity | 5 tons + 2 barrels | |
| Engine | Beta Marine, 90 Hp | |
| Generator | Beta Marine, 12,3 kVa | |
| Fuel Tanks | 1600L | |
| Water Tanks | 1200 L + Water maker | |
| Armament | 2 × 6-pounder guns | |
| Sound system | 4x 140W Speakers | |
| Build/Launched | 2010/2012 | |
| Professional Crew | 5 | |
| Voyage crew /Passengers (more for day sails) | 12 | |
| Heads | 2 | |
| Showers | 1 |
The Build
In 2010, Freya and Marcus Pomeroy-Rowden decided to build an English version of a three-masted lugger – something that hadn’t been done for 200 years. The well-respected boat-builder, Chris Rees, brought the plans of the 1776 Revenue Lugger, Grayhound, to the table. He agreed to take on the design and head the build.
In December 2010 Marcus started to fell oak trees in his mum’s fields. Fairlie Restorations fed Chris Rees’ plans into their computer and produced the structural assessments, stability information and…
The History
Towards the end of the 16th century the boat-builder, John F. Parkin, was living at Cawsand Bay in East Cornwall. Parkin had a reputation for building fast coastal craft. During his working life he built revenue, privateer and smuggling vessels. Grayhound was most probably built in Cawsand as a Revenue Lugger in 1776.
After Grayhound was launched she was commissioned by the collector of customs in St Ives. As a Revenue Lugger her work involved patrolling and chasing smugglers. On catching them…
“When I went sailing with the Grayhound I knew I had booked a trip to another place, but I didn’t know I booked a trip to another time!” – Milla Lahtinen