Cape cutter 19

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IJL

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I was looking around a CC 19 at Rutland yesterday, they look good, paticularly the wooden mast and spars . Has anyone on here got one or sailed one. I have only ever sailed sloop rigged boats so wondered if gaff rigs are more difficult to sail singlehanded.
 
like you, I really like the CC19 and it's bigger brother the Cape Henry 21, both designed by Dudly Dix.

Performance is supposed to be pretty good but I have not sailed one + plenty of string to play with and keep you busy.

Don't see why you wouldn't be able to single-hand it.
 
Never sailed the CC19, but have sailed a variety of similar sized boats with gaffs. I reckon they are better for single handing that bermudan boats because of lower aspect ratio, and because sail lowering can be pretty well instant and, if supported by a twin topping lift/ lazy jack, reasonably controlled! You do have to accept that performance to windward might not be so good, but I am happy to take that as a given and not complain about it.
 
Pretty looks, solid and well built, and one of the best of her type. She sails well, losing out a bit up wind but, with the big gaff main, not so much in need of special downwind sails. Good accommodation for length. Extra bits of string mean more to do but all well within the compass of one person. It's hard to imaging a 19ft boat that does demand two crew.
 
Consistant class winner in the RTIR. So a bit faster than the Shrimper. But to be fair, D Dix used a much more advanced underbody than the Crabbers.
 
Great thread, I am also interested in them having spotted one in Bosham last weekend. I wondered about the comparison with a Shrimper (but Shrimper for me is a bit disappointing on areas of design which a few owners have modified!) Interesting the CC is a bit quicker.

Sailing a Gaff is no problem single handed, even better with a mizzen! ;)

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Don't think you can get a Cape Henry 21 in GRP unfortunately...
 
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Sails very well. Cutter rig gives you flexibility. Boats seems happy up to 20 kts plus with one reef in main and staysail. By easing peak halyard on main the main can be depowered which is useful manoeuvring etc. Hoisting/dropping/reefing sails can all be undertaken from companionway so no need to clamber forward except when anchoring. A great little boat. See the reviews on the Honnor marine website.
 
I'd be happy to take you for a spin in mine some day. Pointing seems to depend on how you config the staysail. Mine is hanked on, so we tent to point higher than those with furlers. A fantastic single handed sail - I've done weeks on mine already.
 
First season with a CC19

We (family of 4 with two girls 7 & 11) bought a cape cutter 19 after a fair bit of research.

Our requirement was:
1) Trailer sailer easily towed (we live in the midlands)
2) Able to sleep all four of us (admittedly two smaller persons)
3) Able to make passage
4) Able to be sailed single handed
5) Value for money

The CC19 meets all of these criteria. We looked at Hawk 21, Drascombe longboat, shrimper, beneteau and cc19.

We chose it because it looks very hansome, can sleep all 4 of us (I didnt think this would be possible till I saw inside one) and handles really well. It is also excellent value for money. The main alternative was the shrimper in our minds, but it is a lot more expensive and doesnt do anything more or better than the CC (IMHO).

We bought this boat second hand on brokerage from the builder (Honnor Marine) and have not been disappointed. Coming from dinghy sailing, the boat handles really nicely- very responsive helm. All the controls are run back to the cockpit, so single handing is pretty straightforward.

The gaff rig has taken some getting used to (thanks for getting us going Ru88ell!), but for such a large main is very easily raised and dropped. The two jibs give the rig a lot of flexibility- yankee, staysail, main in light winds, furling one or the other as the wind increases. Easy to reef; reef early to keep it manageable. Am learning to set the main sail properly- small adjustments of gaff make quite a difference. You can tell when the sails are set right, as the helm is very neutral (almost sails herself!).

On a recent trip to Anglesey in winds from F3-F6 the boat easily averaged 4kts; often 5kts. I have a furling staysail which, as Ru88ell says, means that it does not point quite as well as a hanked on jib. Upwind performance seems fair enough to me, better than other gaffers I have sailed in.

Hope this is of some help
 
Thanks for the feedback, they look good and seem to be a lot of boat for the money, In terms of trailering whats the mast like to raise?
 
Raising the mast is easy with two but possible on own. Procedure: 1) lay mast along boat, foot in tabernacle (solo task) 2) bolt mast to tabernacle (solo) 3) raise mast (easy if helper pulls rope on forestay as you walk astern through cockpit, lifting mast) 3) secure with second bolt. Mast is now free standing. At a pinch, one could raise mast and secure forestay, but this would be risky IMHO.
 
Easy. Place mast in tabernacle and insert top bolt. Fix shrouds in place. Join a short extension line to forestay and invite wife to haul away while you lift top end clear of roof. A third hand to deal with any snagged rigging helps.
 
IJL said:
Thanks for the feedback, they look good and seem to be a lot of boat for the money, In terms of trailering whats the mast like to raise?
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The South African made ones have a hollow mast which is a fair bit lighter than the UK ones. I can raise my SA one easily alone. I keep the shrouds attached to save time as I do travel quite a bit with mine. It's important to be able to keep the mast firmly on the centre line of the boat when putting the tabernacle bolt through.
 
I was looking forward to seeing the Cape Cutter at SIBS but was very disappointed :(. Largely because getting in and out of the cabin was ridiculous, apparently the original ones had a larger hatch. Also getting 4 people sitting in side would be a very uncomfortable squeeze. It was a shame the interior GRP wasn't lined and some of the fittings more qualitative.

I sat for the first time in a Shrimper and it was a world of difference, no problem getting in and the standard of fittings and fit was much better but then that might be reflected in the price - not sure.

I liked the cheaper BayRaider Expedition and probably would have one over a Drascombe Coaster (more attractive to my eyes!). The BayCruiser23 was very nice but too much money at 34K+ :eek: for what it is.
 
Zagato said:
I sat for the first time in a Shrimper and it was a world of difference, no problem getting in and the standard of fittings and fit was much better but then that might be reflected in the price - not sure.
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There's a very big difference in price, and in sleeping space. The CC19 has a much bigger cabin overall, including a full size double bed in the forepeak. I had my wife move between both for at a previous SIBS before I went for a CC19 - it was a 'no brainer' as far as she, and I were concerned. When I arrived at a Shrimper rally last year there was much fuss amongst the wives - all wishing they had nearly as much space to work with. Unless, of course, Cornish Crabber's have redesigned their internal layout recently.
 
We sleep 4 in our CC19. I looked at the shrimper last year before we bought our boat and not only does it have less room but is considerably more expensive. We are very happy with our CC, but its always horses for courses (thank goodness!)
 
erbster said:
We sleep 4 in our CC19. I looked at the shrimper last year before we bought our boat and not only does it have less room but is considerably more expensive. We are very happy with our CC, but its always horses for courses (thank goodness!)
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For me it was a very close choice between the CC19, shrimper and the Yarmouth 23.

Finally for us the trailering aspect versus permanent moored with more headroom swayed us towards the Yarmouth.

Trouble is we love all Gaffs!
 
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