Sotra

In September 1985, correspondence with the curator of the Maritime Museum in Oslo led to the purchase of a set of drawings of a Colin Archer pilot cutter. This design without a motor was converted by the owner to a steel yacht with motor where the underwater hull has been adjusted to obtain a good flow of the propeller. In Woudbloem, near Groningen, a shipyard was found on which the truss floor, together with the shipyard boss, the boat was drawn to full size and where the hull was built. After the launch in August 1991, the boat in Zwijndrecht (near Dordrecht) was completed.

The Colin Archer gaff rig was also modified. The Sotra got a slightly higher mast and shorter clevis, resulting in a more efficient rigging. It is a thoroughbred gaff cutter with mainsail, jib and jib possibly extended with various side sails.

The 'Sotra' is a welcome guest within both the English and Dutch Old Gaffers Association and always seems to attract attention in harbors and under sail.