Sloop or Cutter

[Bama5150]

I was reading an article by Dan Segal about the Cape Henry 21. He says "The Cape Henry is a sloop, not a cutter".

I am still trying to learn all the difference between the 2 (and sailing in general)

Is his confusion because the mast lies on the 4th station, and this boat has a bowsprit?

Thanks,

Jeremy

[Dudley Dix]

I was on the boat with Dan Segal and explained my design philosophy about the CC19 and CH21 to him, which he used in the article. The CH21 follows exactly what I intended for the CC19.

Although named the Cape Cutter 19, I intended it to be sailed as a sloop, with either the forward headsail or the aft one, not both. For that reason, I designed them as a Genoa and  jib, not a Yankee and a staysail. My intention was that it be sailed with the Genoa in light conditions, then change to the jib when the wind gets up. It would only be used with both headsails on a beam to broad reach.

Yes, the mast is stepped at Station 4 and it has two headsails, so it is technically a cutter. As it has turned out, most owners of the CC19 (possibly also the CH21) prefer to sail as a cutter. In that case it needs a high-clewed Yankee instead of a low-clewed Genoa. So I added the Yankee to keep everyone happy.

As illustration of my original intentions, about 20 years ago I raced a CC19 in the Traditional Boat Regatta in Cape Town. I helmed the boat, with Nick and Lyndsay Voorhoeve aboard (they commissioned the design). Nick wanted to use both headsails but I went for Genoa only. After starting 20 minutes late (I was judge for the Concourse d'Elegance so was late getting onto the water), we were half-way through the fleet by the first mark, sailed through the lee of a 30sq.m (Scandinavian racer with spinnaker) on a reach, caught the lead boat port/starboard at the 2nd mark and led the fleet to the finish. We were second smallest boat in the fleet of about 25-30 boats. I doubt that we would have been as quick with a cutter sail plan in the conditions that we had.

DD

[Bama5150]

Thanks Dudley for the thorough answer. I truly appreciate your involvement in these forums.