The Story of the Picarooner – From Clovelly to Mylor
A traditional West Country boat with a fascinating history – and a modern home on the River Fal in Cornwall.
If you've ever wondered what makes a Picarooner different from an ordinary small motorboat, the answer lies in its history.
The Picarooner is a traditional Clovelly-style boat, originally developed in North Devon as a small fishing boat. Around 1880, Clovelly's harbour was becoming increasingly difficult for larger fishing boats to use at low tide. A smaller boat was developed, based on the local herring boats, but with a much shallower draft.
From Devon to Cornwall
Although the Picarooner began life in Clovelly, North Devon, its story continued in Cornwall.
Traditional boatbuilder Martin Heard, based at Tregatreath Yacht Yard on Mylor Creek, built Clovelly Picarooners in Cornwall. These boats retained the distinctive character of the original design while being adapted for modern use, including motor versions.
Clovelly
The Picarooner developed as a small working fishing boat, suited to the harbour and tides at Clovelly.
Mylor Creek
The traditional design continued in Cornwall, including Clovelly Picarooners built by Martin Heard.
The River Fal
The Picarooner has found a new life as a distinctive little motorboat for exploring Cornwall by water.
Picarooners at Mylor Boat Hire
At Mylor Boat Hire, we have a fleet of Picarooners based at Mylor Yacht Harbour near Falmouth, Cornwall.
Our Picarooners are motorboats, offering a simple and enjoyable way to get out on the water without needing previous boating experience. With their traditional lines, shallow draft and easy tiller steering, they make distinctive little boats for exploring the waters around Mylor, Falmouth and the Fal Estuary.
From Mylor Yacht Harbour, you can enjoy the scenery of the Fal Estuary and Carrick Roads, taking in the coastline, beaches and landmarks from the water while enjoying the freedom of your own boat.
A Small Boat With a Big Story
The Picarooner has come a long way from its days as a working herring boat in Clovelly.
From its North Devon fishing heritage, through the boatbuilding yards of Mylor, to the modern motor Picarooners now enjoyed on the River Fal, the design has retained a character that makes it unlike an ordinary modern hire boat.
So when you take the helm of a Picarooner at Mylor Boat Hire, you're not just hiring a small motorboat – you're experiencing a little piece of West Country maritime history, right here in Cornwall.
The Story of the Picarooner – From Clovelly to Mylor
A traditional West Country boat with a fascinating history – and a modern home on the River Fal in Cornwall.
If you've ever wondered what makes a Picarooner different from an ordinary small motorboat, the answer lies in its history.
The Picarooner is a traditional Clovelly-style boat, originally developed in North Devon as a small fishing boat. Around 1880, Clovelly's harbour was becoming increasingly difficult for larger fishing boats to use at low tide. A smaller boat was developed, based on the local herring boats, but with a much shallower draft.
From Devon to Cornwall
Although the Picarooner began life in Clovelly, North Devon, its story continued in Cornwall.
Traditional boatbuilder Martin Heard, based at Tregatreath Yacht Yard on Mylor Creek, built Clovelly Picarooners in Cornwall. These boats retained the distinctive character of the original design while being adapted for modern use, including motor versions.
Clovelly
The Picarooner developed as a small working fishing boat, suited to the harbour and tides at Clovelly.
Mylor Creek
The traditional design continued in Cornwall, including Clovelly Picarooners built by Martin Heard.
The River Fal
The Picarooner has found a new life as a distinctive little motorboat for exploring Cornwall by water.
Picarooners at Mylor Boat Hire
At Mylor Boat Hire, we have a fleet of Picarooners based at Mylor Yacht Harbour near Falmouth, Cornwall.
Our Picarooners are motorboats, offering a simple and enjoyable way to get out on the water without needing previous boating experience. With their traditional lines, shallow draft and easy tiller steering, they make distinctive little boats for exploring the waters around Mylor, Falmouth and the Fal Estuary.
From Mylor Yacht Harbour, you can enjoy the scenery of the Fal Estuary and Carrick Roads, taking in the coastline, beaches and landmarks from the water while enjoying the freedom of your own boat.
A Small Boat With a Big Story
The Picarooner has come a long way from its days as a working herring boat in Clovelly.
From its North Devon fishing heritage, through the boatbuilding yards of Mylor, to the modern motor Picarooners now enjoyed on the River Fal, the design has retained a character that makes it unlike an ordinary modern hire boat.
So when you take the helm of a Picarooner at Mylor Boat Hire, you're not just hiring a small motorboat – you're experiencing a little piece of West Country maritime history, right here in Cornwall.