Since drawing the Cape Cutter 19, I have been asked a few times for an open day-sailer version. It has finally happened, creating the CC19 Dayboat as a comfortable, stable and dry day-sailer to fit a large family.
With in-cockpit seating over sealed stowage compartments for large items like camping equipment, tog bags etc, she has space for sailing, picnicking and camp-cruising in safety. Seating forward of the centre thwart is slatted bench-style and hinged to fold down, gaining floor space when needed. With enough length and width to sleep four on the cockpit sole, there is also space for another two on the cockpit seating, all of them open to the stars or comfy under a tarp or two. The lockable cuddy under the foredeck is good for dry stowage when sailing.
The space under the self-drainging cockpit sole is also compartmented, each with a waterproof access cover for inspection and maintenance. All compartments are sealed except for small holes high up through the bulkheads for pressure equalization through to the cuddy, to avoid blowing any joints from the large pressure changes that can come from temperature variations.
Behind the seat backrests are cave lockers for sandwiches, winch handles etc. Above them the side decks are wide enough for competitive sailors to sit there when racing. Cockpit coamings are tall forward to help deflect spray from the cockpit in rough water and taper down aft for sitting comfort, also enhancing the springy sheer curve of the hull.
Sailing characteristics will be very much like the well-proven Cape Cutter 19. These boats are very quick in light conditions, regularly passing boats that have a much faster image. This is not a planing hull but it is easily-driven and attains the 5.7 knot hull speed in moderate breeze on all headings.
The centreplate of this version is a laminated plywood board that is ballasted with lead and sheathed in glass/epoxy. This can be made by the builder, rather than needing a metalworking shop to shape a steel blade. It is thicker than a steel plate, which allows for better shaping, for improved water flow and lift/drag characteristics but needs a slightly wider casing. The pivot pin for the board and the access hole to the lifting line attachment are in the cockpit and well above waterline, where leaks and access for maintenance are not an issue.
Primary ballast is lead in the bilge, inside the hull, in the form of lead shot set in epoxy and glassed over. Best stability and windward performance are with the plate down but the fine entry of the forefoot gives enough bite that it can sail to windward in shallow water, with the plate raised.
Steering is with outboard rudder and a long tiller to clear the engine cover. The rudder is semi-balanced for a light helm, protected by the long deadwood skeg that extends from the centreplate slot through to the engine well. The engine well is aft in the cockpit, with a dam formed around it to contain accidental fuel or oil spillage which may otherwise make the sole slippery. Cockpit drainage is primarily via the engine well, with secondary drainage through the centreplate casing. The engine is hidden under a cover for quiet motoring. The cover has a hinged door on the front and a removable deck panel over the top, for full engine access. In both quarters are lazarette compartments for fenders etc. under flush hatches.
The gaff mast stands in a tabernacle mounted forward of the centreplate casing. The top of the casing is extended forward on a short longitudinal bulkhead to support it, with a pin rail arranged around the foot. The tabernacle is tall enough to allow the mast to fold down and rest on the aft deck when being raised or lowered. The bowsprit hinges on the sunken foredeck, which allows it to be used as a gin pole to assist when raising or lowering the mast. The main forestay attaches to the stemhead, not the bowsprit, both for strength and to make it easier to raise and lower the mast. Shroud chainplates are outboard, bolted against the outside of the hull. The rig is easily raised by two people without use of the bowsprit for leverage.
She can be sailed with both headsails on close reaching to broad reaching courses in light to moderate winds. For beating she should be sailed with the genoa in light winds and the staysail in stronger winds. The roller furling genoa ensures good speed in lighter conditions and the ability to get rid of it quickly if needed. The hanked staysail gives a snug fully in-board sloop rig for stronger winds and is easily lowered and snugged down if rigged with a downhaul line. The forestay goes to the stemhead, with the staysail hanked to it. The genoa furler has no stay in front of it, so the hinged bowsprit can be folded back to lie along the deck, shortening mooring length.
The gaff mainsail is fitted with two rows of reefing so that it can be snugged down for heavier conditions. Sheeting is through a 5:1 tackle system fitted to the top of the transom, and a boomvang to the base of the tabernacle helps to control mainsail twist.
Build Her in Plywood
Hull construction is plywood lapstrake over stringers and plywood backbone. Stringers are notched into the bulkheads and the backbone is locked into the bulkheads eggcrate-fashion.
The stock plan package includes full size patterns of the bulkheads plotted on stable mylar. These are plotted in colour to make them easier to follow and minimise chances of builders making a mistake. We also offer an optional extra of full size mylar patterns for the hull and deck skin panels if you feel that you need help through the process of laying out these panels. These patterns can be ordered with the stock plan package or later.
Characteristics
LOD : 5.80 m
LWL : 5.50 m
Beam moulded: 2.20 m
Draft : 0.45/1.22 m
Displ to DWL: 1.100 kg
Displ light: 870 kg
Ballast : 380 kg
Sail area (main + genoa): 23.52 m²
Mainsail : 13.32 m²
Staysail : 4.99 m²
Genoa: 10.20 m²
Powering 6hp short shaft outboard
Plans can be sent either from DIX DESIGN or NAUTIKIT. Prices are the same, like as the shipping costs, calculated on the project value. Options for papersheet plans sent by courier or postal service, or pdf plans sent by e-mail in 24-48 hours. For more information see our shipping page. The "Royalty Kit" includes the building plans (pdf or papersheets), the dwg/cnc cutting files and the royalty for the purchase of our construction kits or for a CNC company of your choice
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