Bristol Channel Cutter
The Bristol Channel Cutter, also called the Bristol Channel Cutter 28, is an American sailboat that was designed by Lyle Hess as a "character boat" cruiser and first built in 1976.[1][2][3]
| Development | |
|---|---|
| Designer | Lyle Hess |
| Location | United States/Canada |
| Year | 1976 |
| No. built | 129 (US), 30-45 (Canada) |
| Builder(s) | Sam L. Morse Co. Cape George Marine Works Channel Cutter Yachts |
| Name | Bristol Channel Cutter |
| Boat | |
| Boat weight | 14,000 lb (6,350 kg) |
| Draft | 4.83 ft (1.47 m) |
| Hull | |
| Type | monohull |
| Construction | fiberglass |
| LOA | 28.08 ft (8.56 m) |
| LWL | 26.25 ft (8.00 m) |
| Beam | 10.08 ft (3.07 m) |
| Engine type | Volvo MD 7A 13 hp (10 kW) diesel engine |
| Hull appendages | |
| Keel/board type | long keel |
| Ballast | 4,600 lb (2,087 kg) |
| Rudder(s) | transom and keel-mounted rudder |
| Rig | |
| Rig type | Cutter rig |
| Sails | |
| Sailplan | Cutter rigged sloop |
| Total sail area | 673.00 sq ft (62.524 m2) |
The boat is based upon Hess's earlier Renegade design.[4]
Production
The design was built by Sam L. Morse Co. of Costa Mesa, California, United States, who completed 128 boats between 1976 and 2007. In 2011 one boat was built by Cape George Marine Works in Port Townsend, Washington. Between 30 and 45 boats were also built in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, by Channel Cutter Yachts. Blue Water Boats reports "these were bootleg versions for which no design royalties were paid".[1][3][5][6][7]
Design
The Bristol Channel Cutter is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a cutter rig, a spooned plumb stem, an angled transom, a keel and transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed long keel. It displaces 14,000 lb (6,350 kg) and carries 4,600 lb (2,087 kg) of lead ballast.[1]
The hull length is 28.08 ft (8.56 m), but including the bowsprit and boomkin it is 37.75 ft (11.51 m)[1]
The boat has a draft of 4.83 ft (1.47 m) with the standard keel.[1]
The boat is fitted with a Swedish Volvo MD 7A diesel engine of 13 hp (10 kW) or a Japanese Yanmar diesel of 27 hp (20 kW) for docking and maneuvering. The fuel tank holds 30 U.S. gallons (110 L; 25 imp gal).[1]
The design has sleeping accommodation for four people, with two straight settee berths ans a pilot berth in the main cabin and an aft quarter berth on the starboard side. The galley is located on the port side at the companionway ladder. The galley is "L"-shaped and is equipped with a stove and a sink. A navigation station is opposite the galley, on the starboard side. The head is located in the bow and includes an optional shower. The fresh water tank has a capacity of 64 U.S. gallons (240 L; 53 imp gal) and the holding tank has a capacity of 15 U.S. gallons (57 L; 12 imp gal). Cabin headroom is 75 in (190 cm).[1][3][7]
The design has a hull speed of 6.9 kn (12.8 km/h).[3]
Operational history
The boat is supported by an active class club, BristolChannelCutter.org.[8]
A Blue Water Boats review noted that the design, "represents a pinnacle of ruggedness and practicality while retaining respectable performance. Few boats can take the abuse of extended voyaging as well as the Bristol Channel Cutter and I guess it's become something of a Lyle Hess masterpiece."[7]
See also
Related development
Similar sailboats
References
- McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Bristol Channel Cutter". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Lyle C. Hess 1912 - 2002". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- Sea Time Tech, LLC (2021). "Bristol Channel Cutter". sailboat.guide. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- Malseed, Chuck (January 1977). "Lyle Hess: A Profile". Cruising World. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Sam L. Morse Co. (USA) 1976 - 2007". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Cape George Marine Works". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- "Bristol Channel Cutter 28". bluewaterboats.org. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Bristol Channel Cutter class". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.