The builder described the result as exceptionally stable, able to point well upwind, and easy to trailer. It was also intended to be manageable enough for family outings with additional crew.
Design and Construction
The Caneton 57 was built either from bakelized plywood glued over frames or from polyester fiberglass. The fiberglass version enjoyed remarkable success, but wooden construction continued because it kept the cost price lower. Wooden boats have removable deflectors, while plastic-hulled boats have integrated deflectors.
The hull is a fiberglass-wood composite with solid core and composite deck. The boat has a centerboard keel, a minimum draft of 0.4 foot, a maximum draft of 3.61 feet, an overall length of 16.24 feet, a beam of 3.84 feet, and a displacement of 353 pounds. Its sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 49.65, and its capsize ratio is 2.17.
Rig and Handling
Cornu gave the 57 a fractional sloop rig. A spinnaker was included in the basic inventory, and Tergal sails were available in any color. Soon after the boat’s launch, sail area increased from 13.30 m² to 14.45 m².
Period reviews describe the Caneton 57 as a sporty racing dinghy with a generous sail plan. One account says it is much livelier under sail than a Zef. The builder credited it with speed and maneuverability in regattas without requiring exceptional athletic ability, while also presenting it as comfortable for family promenading.
An editorial contributor called it a tamed model for family regattas. It was shorter and carried less sail than its predecessor, the ancestor of the 505.
Accommodations and Use
The 57 was conceived for day sailing and family outings rather than overnight cruising. Its low weight and compact dimensions make it easier to trailer, while the open cockpit and built-in buoyancy tanks suit confined waters.
The centerboard’s broad draft range helps when beaching the boat but still provides windward ability when lowered. The choice of sail colors and the standard spinnaker suggest an emphasis on accessible family racing rather than strict one-design uniformity.
Engines and Refits
The Caneton 57 wasn’t originally designed to carry an engine. A period reviewer expressed surprise at seeing a powered example because an engine installation hadn’t been planned from the outset. Any engine fitted to a particular hull is therefore a later, non-standard refit.
The two construction methods also gave owners different options: lower-cost wood with removable deflectors, or fiberglass with integrated deflectors.
The Verdict
The Caneton 57 is a thoughtful small dinghy. Cornu added buoyancy tanks and opened the cockpit, producing a stable, trailerable, quick boat suited to family sailing and mild racing.
Pros
- Excellent stability and good upwind ability for a five-meter dinghy
- Trailerable at 353 pounds, with comfortable capacity for family crews
- Watertight side buoyancy tanks and no rear decking keep the arrangement simple
- Lively yet forgiving, with regatta speed that doesn’t demand extreme athleticism
Cons
- Not originally engineered for an engine; any fitted power is a non-standard refit
- Wooden and fiberglass versions differ in how their deflectors are integrated
