Karate Mk I (Aft Cabin) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The story of the Karate Mk I begins in 1969, emerging from the workshops of CNSO, a French yard founded by Otto Tiefenbach in 1960. CNSO quickly established a reputation for building popular and accessible sailing vessels, a commitment that defined their operation until 1982. The yard's manufacturing ethos focused on crafting yachts that appealed to a broad spectrum of sailors, prioritizing robust construction and comfortable interiors. Like many builders of its era, CNSO embraced fiberglass construction, a material that offered significant advantages in durability and reduced maintenance.

The Karate series, including the Mk I (Aft Cabin), was a cornerstone of CNSO's line, a result of their collaboration with prominent naval architects like Michel Bigoin. While specific details on Bigoin's exact design philosophy for the Karate Mk I are not widely documented, his work for CNSO consistently produced seaworthy and practical cruising yachts. The "Karate" designation itself was part of a series of martial arts-themed boat names, hinting at their sturdy build. It's important to note that variations existed, such as the "Karate Sport" or "Karate Mk II (Sport)", which likely offered different performance characteristics compared to the cruising-focused Aft Cabin model. The Karate Mk I (Aft Cabin) was specifically designed for performance and comfort at sea, aligning with CNSO's overall mission.

Sailing Performance and Handling

With a length overall of 32.64 feet and a waterline length of 23.95 feet, the Karate Mk I (Aft Cabin) presents as a capable cruiser. Its sail area to displacement ratio (SA/Disp) of approximately 22.06 suggests a sailboat that should perform admirably in lighter winds, capable of moving well even when the breeze is modest. This indicates a design leaning towards reasonable performance without sacrificing comfort.

The ballast to displacement ratio (Ballast/Disp) of around 37.78% points to a boat with decent stability. While not exceptionally high (ratios typically above 40% indicate very stiff boats), it suggests the Karate Mk I (Aft Cabin) is designed to stand up to a good amount of canvas and maintain a comfortable motion in a seaway. Its displacement to length (Disp/LWL) ratio of approximately 322.3 categorizes it as a heavier, more traditional cruiser, emphasizing its robust build and comfortable ride over outright speed. This combination of ratios aligns with its reputation as a comfortable cruising sailboat. The boat features a fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, a common and effective configuration for cruising boats of its era, offering a good balance of directional stability and maneuverability.

Accommodations and Layout

The CNSO Karate Mk I (Aft Cabin), as its name suggests, incorporates an aft cabin design, a desirable feature for cruisers seeking enhanced privacy and living space. While detailed interior layouts and specific headroom figures are not readily available in provided data or easily found through general search, boats of this size and vintage (early 1970s) typically feature a traditional cruising arrangement.

This would generally include a V-berth forward, providing a primary sleeping area. A main salon mid-ship would feature settees that often convert into additional berths, surrounding a dinette table. A galley, typically U-shaped or linear, would be positioned to one side, equipped with basic cooking and storage facilities. A dedicated head compartment with a marine toilet and sink would also be standard. The defining feature, the aft cabin, would provide a private double berth, likely accessed either through the main salon or via a separate companionway, though the exact configuration varies by model and builder. Interior finishes of the era often emphasized practical fiberglass liners combined with warm wood trim, prioritizing durability and ease of maintenance. Storage solutions, while often ingenious, were typically functional rather than expansive, reflecting the boat's cruising purpose.