Editing Colin Archer (section)

== Pilot boat reformator ==
Archer's first pilot-boat, 33 feet in length, was built in 1872. Influenced by Scott Russell's theories, it had the midship section 58% from the forward perpendicular as opposed to the traditional position of 44%. The traditional boats were thus of the old blunt ''Cod's Head-Mackerel Tail''-type. They were also beamy and shallow with poor windward abilities.
[[File:Vellamon museovenelaituri 4.JPG|thumb|Pilot cutter ''Pitkäpaasi'' built 1898 as one of eight for the Finnish pilot department 1898-1903. Here pictured in Finland in 2011.]]
Archer also made his boats deeper with more ballast, built strongly with oak and they soon became known for seaworthiness and speed. Thus he started revolutionizing the Norwegian double-ended pilot-boats from his first boat.

The next and biggest pilot-boat improvement came in 1882, when he introduced the ballast keel and carvel building as before used on his yachts. With the improved stability generated by the ballast keel, Archer reduced the beam to 33% as opposed to the traditional 38-40%. The 36-foot boats were outstanding in performance and resisted capsizing.

In 1886 his pilot-boats outclassed all others in a pilot race with 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 7th place of 12 participants. After that, he was made a [[Order of St. Olav#Grades and classes|Knight of the Order of St. Olav]].