Design and Construction
Jackett retained the hallmarks that made C&C famous — the flat sheer line and characteristic deck camber — while reworking the underwater form substantially. The hull carries a finer entry than its predecessors with a flatter run aft, and moderate deadrise produces a stiffer form that is less prone to heeling. Freeboard was increased slightly to accommodate the interior volume cruising buyers expect, a deliberate balancing act between the boat's racing DNA and real-world liveability.
The structural approach reflects a weight-conscious philosophy. Jackett used vinylester resin throughout combined with vacuum-bagging, with the vinylester offering both blister resistance and a claimed ten-percent weight savings over conventional polyester. The laminate employs bi-directional E-glass and Kevlar, with Kevlar strips running the length of the centerline and athwartships to reinforce the chainplate areas. Both hull and deck are cored with CoreCell structural linear foam — chosen over end-grain balsa for its lighter weight and superior impact resistance, with thicker panels used to compensate for the modest stiffness trade-off. Bulkheads are bonded with Plexis 320 adhesive rather than fiberglass tabbing, a joint that withstands loads of 1,700 to 2,000 pounds versus glass tabbing's 1,200 to 1,500-pound limit. Hull and deck are mated over an aluminum bar, bedded in 3M 5200 and fastened on nine-inch centers, following a joint design used for 25 years.
The keel uses NASA Lewis Space Center-optimized high-lift, low-drag sections with a bulb tip to lower the center of gravity and maximize stability. Three keel options span drafts from four feet ten inches to seven feet three inches, allowing buyers to tailor the boat to their sailing grounds.
Rig and Sail Handling
The triple-spreader Offshore Spars mast ships with Navtec rod rigging as standard — a performance spec that suits the boat's racing ambitions. One of the more thoughtful differentiators is the spinnaker arrangement: buyers can choose a conventional masthead pole setup or an optional carbon fiber sprit that retracts into a tube running from the bow into the forward stateroom, the same bowsprit concept popularized by certain J-Boats. Around half of all 110s left the factory with sprits fitted. The sprit configuration allows couples to fly large asymmetrical sails without the hassle or stress associated with a conventional pole, topping lift and fore-and-aft guys, and dousing an asymmetrical becomes as straightforward as furling a genoa.
All halyards and mainsail control lines are led aft under a fiberglass cover that keeps the sidedecks remarkably free of clutter, removing both toe-stubbing hazards and visual noise. The Furlex 200S furling drum is recessed below deck level, clear of the foredeck when anchoring. Three mainsheet and traveler configurations are offered — cabinhouse, bridgedeck or immediately forward of the pedestal — with the forward-of-pedestal option praised by at least one owner as very efficient for shorthanded sailing.
Performance Under Sail
The first sail test on San Diego Bay in a steady 12-to-15-knot breeze produced a memorable impression: the boat heeled quickly, then steadied and went like a train, perfectly balanced even in hard gusts. Upwind in fifteen knots apparent, she tracked about eight knots with only two fingers on the wheel — precise, intuitive, and quick through tacks with acceleration so rapid after each maneuver that it inspired immediate confidence. Owner reports from Lake Michigan corroborate this picture: in 25 knots the boat sails under genoa alone at 8 knots on a broad reach, heeling to 15-20 degrees then stopping.
Jackett's polars project best upwind performance at 7.25 knots in 20 knots of true wind sailing 36-38 degrees off true wind, and downwind performance peaks above 10 knots in 20 knots of wind at 135 degrees — figures that polars inevitably shade optimistic, but that align with the sail area-to-displacement ratio of nearly 23. One owner characterizes the boat as dry, non-dramatic in heel, and offering better creature comforts than a J/105, though not quite as high-pointing. The 28-horsepower Volvo Penta MD2030 moves the boat at 6.5 knots at 2,800 rpm, and the engine is accessible by removing the companionway steps and the soundproof engine-access cover isolated from the bulkheads.
Accommodations
Below, Jackett worked in varnished cherry over cored fiberglass panels — a nod to the wooden interiors Tartan was known for, achieved at considerably less weight. The result is a saloon that looks like a sailboat instead of a condominium, with dovetailed drawer joinery as evidence of the finish quality. Headroom runs to 72 inches throughout.
The galley sits to starboard at the companionway foot with a two-burner Force 10 gimballed stove and oven; the double sinks are compact at 12 by 10 inches and the icebox is sized for weekenders rather than bluewater passages. A genuinely large head by 36-foot standards occupies port amidships — the main compartment measures 45 by 28 inches — with a separate 22-by-44-inch shower stall behind Plexiglas panels fitted with a seat. The navigation station features Jackett's double-railed stainless-steel backrest that swings inboard from the cabinet to give the navigator back support while seated on the settee, a clever ergonomic detail. The aft cabin delivers an athwartships double berth measuring 80 by 60 inches, more practical aboard a 36-footer than a cramped fore-and-aft arrangement, though the engine box intrudes noticeably. The V-berth forward benefits from a hydraulic cylinder that holds the hinged bunk top open without collapsing, revealing large mesh storage bins sized for foul-weather gear and provisions.
Tanks are generous for the size: an aluminum 70-gallon water tank with a second unit under the V-berth, and a 26-gallon fuel tank. Wiring runs are color-coded and routed in PVC conduit along the hull, with cutouts where wires exit to fixtures — a detail that meaningfully aids future troubleshooting.
Known Shortcomings
The cockpit stowage situation is the boat's most cited limitation. The lazarettes run the full width of the stern but are narrow, 45 inches deep, and packed with the battery bank, hot water tank, inverter, refrigeration unit and holding tank, leaving maintenance in this area most easily performed by a person of Lilliputian stature. One reported build issue involves the anchor locker: at least one owner discovered a leak between the locker and the hull draining into the bilge, which was remedied by reglassing — an area to inspect carefully on any example. Below decks, serious racers will find that a full sail inventory spills over into living areas such as the shower and aft cabin, an inherent tension in a boat that tries to serve two masters.
Refit and Customisation Potential
The 110 was conceived as a modular platform. The cruising package adds refrigeration, entertainment electronics, microwave and an inverter; the racing package layers in a hydraulic backstay, spinnaker gear, adjustable genoa tracks and a rigid vang; the singlehander's package combines a carbon fiber mast with electric winches and a self-tacking jib. The optional carbon fiber mast drops weight aloft meaningfully for racing-oriented owners. The electric swim platform — a 24-by-36-inch panel that swings out and down at the press of a switch, deploying a telescoping stainless ladder — was widely regarded as a mechanical and cosmetic masterstroke at launch and remains an attractive fitment. Given the boat's modular origins, subsequent owners can layer in these packages over time without structural modification.
The Verdict
The C&C 110 is one of the more honest dual-purpose designs of its era — genuinely quick without demanding the sacrifices that a pure racer imposes, and genuinely comfortable without the weight and windage of a full cruiser. Jackett's construction refinements, from vacuum-bagged vinylester to adhesive-bonded bulkheads and color-coded wiring conduit, give it a build integrity that holds up over time. The stowage limitations are real and persistent, but for the sailor who races on weekends and cruises with family on holidays, the 110 delivers on both counts in a way few 36-footers of its generation managed.
Pros
- Exceptional upwind balance and accelerates quickly through tacks
- Vacuum-bagged vinylester construction with Kevlar reinforcement and CoreCell coring throughout
- Modular options packages allow genuine customisation for racing, cruising or shorthanded sailing
- Retractable electric swim platform is innovative and practical
- Large head and separate shower stall for a 36-footer
- V-berth with hydraulic lift reveals substantial mesh storage below
- Color-coded wiring in accessible PVC conduit eases maintenance
Cons
- Cockpit and lazarette stowage is severely limited, especially for cruising provisions
- Aft cabin is cramped by engine box intrusion
- Galley sinks and icebox are undersized for extended passages
- Anchor locker seal should be inspected — a known early-production leak point
- Deck area lacks a bow roller as standard equipment (an option on the original spec)
