The Boat, A Bristol Channel Cutter 28
[adapted from Lin and Larry Pardey and their series of cruising books. Through the magic of books and articles written by the Pardeys, an interest in small boat voyaging emerged with the famous Pardey tagline “go small, go simple, go now”. The Bristol Channel Cutter 28 was created in answer to sailors wanting a “Pardey” style boat in fiberglass. The boats were built by the Sam L. Morse Company, the first hull was launched in 1975. The molds have recently been sold to Cape George Marine Works, where production continues.
Lyle based his design on workboats that were heavy in displacement, long in waterline with wineglass sections and hard bilges. Their rigs carried lots of canvas, they’d lug a lot of cargo, and could sail fast on all points of sail. Among the endearing features for this long distance sailor are huge stowage, a sensible layout and a proven track record. Besides the Pardey’s Serrafyn and Teleisin’s well known 40,000 mile circumnavigation and five passages of the potentially treacherous Tasman Sea, a Bristol Channel Cutter was first in the Newport to Ensenada Race of 1978, and first in class in 1979.
Upon first glance you’ll notice the long bowsprit, together with the bumpkin, she can carry an immense amount of canvas for her displacement. A peek under her waterline reveals lines that look conservative and traditional. There’s the familiar wineglass section profiles and a full keel that’s missing the popular forefoot cutaway that many designers employ to improve nimbleness and reduce drag. Yet on closer inspection performance tweaks can be found. A fine bow entry coupled with maximum beam quite far aft is good for close windedness and flat sections with minimal deadrise aft aid righting efforts when heeled over under sail.
The Bristol Channel Cutter layout has been thoughtfully designed to the minute details. On this boat all berths are seagoing. There’s four of them, two settees, a pilot berth, and the all important quarter berth. Stowage is abundant and everywhere. In short a long distance voyager’s dream.
You can learn more about Elizabeth, the Bristol Channel Cutter used for One Simple Question at Ben’s blog: BCCElizabeth.com
Other resources:
» Lyle Hess: A Profile by Chuck Malseed, a historic look at his work, Cruising World Magazine Feb, 1977.
» The Bristol Channel Cutter on the official Cape George Cutters website.
» Bristol Channel Cutter Review by Jack Horner, BoatUS.com
» Bristol Channel Cutter Review by Boats.com, Aug 2000
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Designer: | Lyle C. Hess |
| Length, Overall | 37′ 9″ |
| Length on Deck | 28′ 1″ |
| Length, Waterline | 26′ 3″ |
| Beam | 10′ 1″ |
| Draft | 4′ 10″ |
| Displacement | 14,000 lbs. |
| Ballast, Solid Lead | 4,600 lbs. |
| Total Sail Area | 637 sq. ft. |
| Headroom | 6′ 1″ |
| CAPACITIES | |
| Water | 70 US Gallons |
| Fuel | 45 US Gallons |
| Waste | 12 US Gallons |
| DESIGN/SAILING CHARECTER | |
| Range Of Positive Stability | up to 133 degrees |
| Immersion Factor | 900 lbs per inch of immersion |
| Capsize Screen | 1.67 |
| Hull Speed | 6.92 Knots |
| Sail Area to Displacement Ratio | 18.53 |
| Displacement To Length Ratio | 347 |
| Hull Strength | 25,000 psi at the waterline |
