Cracksman 20 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The story of the Cracksman 20 begins in 1963, a period when Newbridge Boats Ltd., based in Bridport, Dorset, UK, was establishing itself with a vision to make sailing accessible through affordable and practical yachts. Designed by Michael Henderson, the Cracksman 20 quickly emerged as an advanced cruising catamaran for its time, utilizing fiberglass for its hull construction—a material that would become synonymous with Newbridge's production ethos. Henderson's initial design was well-regarded for its sailing performance, though its interior amenities were noted as being more spartan.

Over its production run, the Cracksman 20 saw evolutionary changes, reflecting efforts to enhance its practicality. A notable development was the introduction of the Cracksman 20 Mk II. This updated version featured a masthead rig, a departure from the earlier fractional rig, along with minor structural and rigging adjustments. Crucially, the Mk II also aimed to improve interior accommodations, addressing some of the feedback regarding the original's more basic layout. The Mk I, by contrast, was characterized by its smaller cabin and fractional rig, typically equipped with hanked foresails.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a catamaran, the Cracksman 20 offers inherent stability and a relatively light, strong platform. With a length overall of 20 feet and a waterline length of 16.01 feet, she is designed to be nimble and efficient. The boat features a twin centerboard keel system, allowing for a highly versatile draft that can be reduced from 2.76 feet to a mere 0.82 feet. This design choice makes the Cracksman 20 particularly adept at navigating shallow coastal waters and inland waterways, even allowing for drying out on suitable moorings – a highly valued attribute for UK sailors, consistent with Newbridge's broader design philosophy. Owners and enthusiasts have generally described the Cracksman 20 as a "good sailer," highlighting its performance capabilities, which were a primary focus of Michael Henderson's original design.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Cracksman 20, particularly in its earlier Mk I guise, was characterized by a more functional and compact layout. Initial iterations were appreciated more for their sailing characteristics than for their interior amenities, leading to design modifications over time. The Mk I featured a smaller cabin, reflecting its origins as a boat suitable for day trips and more minimalist cruising. While specific detailed layouts for every variant are scarce, the internal arrangement would typically include basic V-berth style sleeping forward, and potentially a compact galley or seating area in the main cabin, all within the constraints of a 20-foot catamaran hull. The subsequent Mk II version aimed to address these limitations by offering an enlarged cabin area, suggesting that later models provided a more accommodating internal volume for cruisers seeking extended stays aboard.