Cambridge Cadet Information, Review, Specs

The story of the Cambridge Cadet begins in 1947, when production commenced at Graves Yacht Yard in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Founded by James E. Graves around 1895, the yard established a sterling reputation for quality and traditional boatbuilding, excelling in intricate wooden boat construction and maintenance. This ethos of craftsmanship aligned perfectly with Winthrop Warner's design philosophy, who, educated at MIT in Naval Architecture, specialized in creating enduring wooden cruising yachts throughout his career. While specific design goals for the Cambridge Cadet are not extensively documented, its popularity suggests a successful blend of seaworthiness, sailing ability, and comfortable accommodations for its size, consistent with Warner's focus on practical cruising vessels. The production period for the Cambridge Cadet began in 1947, with no specific end year widely reported, a common characteristic for many traditionally built wooden yachts that continued to be constructed or commissioned over an extended period based on demand. There is no publicly available information indicating significant variations or marks in the production run of the Cambridge Cadet.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Cambridge Cadet is characterized by a long keel and fractional sloop rig, indicative of a design intended for steady, comfortable cruising rather than high-performance racing. With a displacement of 15,500 pounds and a ballast of 4,500 pounds, the boat has a ballast-to-displacement ratio of approximately 29.03%. This ratio suggests that the Cambridge Cadet, while stable, may be relatively tender and might benefit from reefing early in stronger winds. While the exact Length Waterline (LWL) and total calculated sail area are not readily available in public databases, the reported sail area for the mainsail and jib is approximately 400 square feet (37.2 m2). Without the LWL, a comprehensive interpretation of other performance ratios, such as Sail Area to Displacement and Displacement to Length, is not feasible. Anecdotal descriptions of its specific handling characteristics in various sea states are also limited in available public information.

Accommodations and Layout

Despite its modest length overall of 28.58 feet, the Cambridge Cadet is designed to offer practical interior living space for cruising. Publicly available information confirms that the boat is equipped with one cabin and typically features three berths. Detailed descriptions of the interior layout, including the specific arrangement of the V-berth, salon, galley, or head, are not widely documented. Similarly, comprehensive information regarding the general finish quality, types of wood trim or other materials used, storage solutions, or ventilation systems within the cabin is not extensively available through public searches.