Gaff Rigged Cutter
information needed

I know that you are primarily interested in amateur boat building but, after more than two years of searching for information about a boat, I am turning to Duckworks for help.

The boat, whose model name is “Pepper”, is a gaff rigged cutter with a club-footed jib and staysail; both head sails are set flying. The sparred length is 18 feet 6 inches, the length on deck is 15 feet and the waterline length is 12 feet; it has a full, unballasted keel. The hull is fiberglass but all else is wood — spars, rudder, cleats. The Pepper has a clipper bow, teak dead-eyes and a bowsprit.

She was built in 1977 by Salt Marine, Inc. of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and was designed by a William E. Hitchcock, a marine model and diorama maker. (Salt Marine, Inc. made sailboats, with and without engines, catamarans and trimarans. Salt Marine went out of business July 31, 1980 with a last know address of 931 SW 22nd Avenue, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33315.)

The boat was rescued from oblivion by a couple of dreamers who did their best to get the boat back on the water. After I bought the boat (I am the third owner after the rescue.) I decided that, for a boat like this, restoration is in order and I began searching for information. I was able to get a photocopy of the original sales brochure and, by comparing the brochure to the boat, it looks like several items are not correct and others, like the pin rail, the belaying pins and blocks, are missing. I have found three other Peppers -- one is close to original -- and I have become the central point for information. A Pepper website has also been created.

My hope is that you, or one of the Duckworks readers, recognizes the Pepper and can give me any information that can help – pictures, specifications, drawings, plans, molds. At a minimum am hoping that I can get names and addresses of others that may be able to help.

Thank you for your time and for your help.

Fran Marinaro

Cadet

Mid-Chesapeake