Cape Cutter 19 Information, Review, Specs

The Cape Cutter 19 was conceived by Nick and Lyndsay Voorhoeve, who commissioned Dudley Dix to design a trailerable sailboat with the robust appearance of a traditional English workboat, offering shallow draft and strong sailing characteristics. The design brief also stipulated that the boat should be capable of fitting into a standard 20-foot shipping container for economical international transport. Production of the Cape Cutter 19 began in 1998, with the first 55 hulls constructed by Cape Yachts in South Africa. Due to fluctuating currency exchange rates, Nick Voorhoeve sold the production rights and tooling to Bob and Norma Brown, then owners of Honnor Marine Ltd., who commenced building the Cape Cutter 19 in the UK from 2003 onwards. Honnor Marine, known for its long-standing legacy of producing sturdy and versatile Drascombe boats, applied its ethos of combining durable GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) construction with classic wooden trims to the Cape Cutter 19. 1, 11, Builder Article In 2018, upon the retirement of Bob and Norma Brown, the Cape Cutter 19 molds and production were acquired by Nick and Suzy Scroggs, who continued building the model under the name Cape Cutter Marine Ltd.

Dix designed the hull with a plumb bow and a long waterline to maximize performance, while a fine entry helps her cut through chop. The bow flares out at deck level, providing reserve buoyancy to resist burying and keep the deck dry. Her full stern, with straight buttocks, contributes to good reaching speeds and allows her to carry crew loads effectively. The choice of a gaff cutter rig, unusual for a boat of this size, was deliberate; Dix explained it provides better separation between sails compared to fully inboard cutter rigs on small boats, balancing the center of effort and offering a flexible sail plan.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Cape Cutter 19 is characterized by its substantial stability, attributed to its generous beam and significant ballast, which includes 300 kg of lead and a 100 kg centerplate. This combination gives her a "substantial" and "staid" feel, more akin to a heavier keel boat than a large dinghy, capable of standing up to more wind. She boasts an impressive ultimate stability, reportedly self-righting to about 110 degrees.

Under sail, the Cape Cutter 19 performs surprisingly well. Owners report good speed in light airs, often reaching her hull speed of approximately 5.5 knots, and she proves particularly fast when sailing off the wind. While not designed to point as high as modern racing yachts, she offers commendable upwind performance for a gaff-rigged boat. Her long, shallow keel, complemented by the centerboard, aids in tracking but can make tacks a little slower. The gaff cutter rig offers significant versatility, allowing sailors to utilize the mainsail with one or both foresails (a genoa and staysail/jib), adapting to varying wind conditions. Owners frequently praise her ease of handling, noting that all sail controls are led aft to the cockpit, making her straightforward to single-hand. She has proven her mettle in demanding conditions, with owners reporting safe passages in winds up to Force 7 Bft and substantial seas. Under power, the inboard motor well design, with the prop located forward of the rudder, provides exceptional maneuverability.

The Cape Cutter 19's shallow minimum draft of 1.48 feet (0.45m) with the centerboard up, combined with bilge runners, makes her ideal for exploring shallow estuaries, drying out safely on a beach, or accessing remote anchorages. Weighing just over a ton (2535 lbs displacement), she is also readily trailerable behind a medium to large family car, although rigging can take an hour or two due to the number of components in her traditional gaff cutter rig.

Accommodations and Layout

Despite her compact length overall of 23.62 feet, the Cape Cutter 19 offers a remarkably well-thought-out and spacious interior for her size, often noted as more accommodating than many direct competitors. The cabin features an open layout with comfortable sitting headroom, extending surprisingly far out to the hull sides.

Below decks, the typical arrangement includes a full-size V-berth forward, providing generous sleeping space. Aft, two full-length quarter berths serve dual duty as comfortable salon seats, maximizing the usable interior space. A dedicated galley area is situated opposite a small sink, offering space for a single-burner stove, ideal for preparing hot drinks or simple meals while aboard. Storage is thoughtfully integrated beneath the berths and within the cockpit lockers, which are sealed and discrete. A designated area for a Porta-Potti is also typically provided. The interior generally features quality finishes, including mahogany trim, which contributes to its classic appeal.

The cockpit is deep, self-draining, and offers excellent protection from wind and spray due to its high coamings. The coamings are wide enough to sit upon comfortably, and the design includes an inboard motor well in the footwell, which keeps the engine weight low and the propeller submerged even in choppy conditions.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners consistently praise the Cape Cutter 19 for its solid construction, seaworthiness, and exceptional stability, even in challenging conditions. Many highlight its comfortable motion in a seaway and its ability to ride waves remarkably well, instilling confidence in offshore passages. The flexible gaff cutter rig and lines led to the cockpit are frequently cited as strengths, making the boat surprisingly easy to single-hand and adapt to varying wind strengths. Its generous interior accommodation, particularly the V-berth and quarter berths, is often lauded for its comfort and practicality for overnight trips and even longer cruises, especially when compared to other boats in its size category. The ability to be easily trailed and launched, along with its shallow draft and beaching capability, significantly expands cruising grounds, a feature highly valued by owners. The active and supportive Cape Cutter 19 owners' association is also a frequently mentioned positive aspect, fostering a strong community around these beloved boats.

However, common discussions among owners include the time required to rig the traditional gaff cutter, although this is generally accepted as part of the boat's character. Some older models have experienced issues with the rudder, particularly cracking of the fiberglass sheathing and water ingress into the plywood core, which can lead to weakening at the tiller connection point. Owners advise regular inspection and potential reinforcement for these older rudders. While headroom is acknowledged to be limited due to the boat's classic lines, most owners find the interior highly functional and practical for its intended purpose.