What
is a Gig?
Pictures of the Cattewater Gig Pilgrim under construction
The Cornish Pilot Gig is a six-oared rowing boat, traditionally built of Cornish narrow leaf elm, which is 35 feet in length, and has a 4 foot 10 inch beam.
Gigs are usually built to weigh about 7cwt. The old oars or sweeps were made of ash and would be up to 18 feet in length.
The modern oars are usually of silver spruce and differ in size according to the positions of the rower in the gig.
The Stroke rower (or number 6) is the rower closest to the coxswain, with the second stroke (number 5) behind.
The strongest rowers are in positions 3 and 4 and are like the engine room of the gig.
In the bow of the Gig are rowers 1 and 2. These help with the flow of the gig, with the rower in position 1 able to switch sides during buoy turns.
Each rower has one oar, with the oars alternating between the 'Stroke' and 'Bow' sides.