Design and Construction
The 767’s hull is built in GRP sandwich laminate with a foam core, vacuum-infused with epoxy. The deck follows the same infused-polyester route, with an Airex blade core. Rosewest keeps the composite structure light and slippery.
There’s nothing traditional about the boat’s appearance. A pronounced reverse sheer, conspicuously negative deck rake, and hard-set chine edges shape a sharp canoe bow and a wide, flat aft section. Buyers can order the hull in pearl gray, cream, red, green, blue, or black. The creamy-white deck is laid with synthetic teak slats and black joints.
Retractable stainless-steel mooring cleats and flush deck gear keep the exterior uncluttered. The kick-up rudder pivots on a single point at the head of its casing.
Rig and Handling
The Cape Cod 767 has a solent rig, with the mast set far aft at roughly the boat’s center, a self-tacking jib on a curved track, and no backstay. The standard aluminium rig from AG+ has a squarehead mainsail and two spreaders; a carbon mast is optional.
Writing in YACHT, test sailors found the boat remarkably stiff under sail. She recorded 6.2 knots at a 90-degree tacking angle, while separate trials produced 5 to 5.5 knots upwind and more than 7 knots offwind. The single rudder was responsive and pleasant to use.
The YACHT test of hull number one did identify a problem with its extremely rigid, untapered aluminium mast, which was almost impossible to trim. Rosewest planned to fit later boats with a thinner, more flexible AG+ profile. Testers also criticized the tiller for being unnecessarily short.
Cockpit and Accommodation
The cockpit is immense. Its bench cushions have folding backrests, and there are two large lockers. A table recessed into the sole rises on X-shaped legs, while another large locker in the cockpit sole can swallow fenders and other gear. The self-draining cockpit is finished in synthetic teak.
Beneath the huge forward sunpad is a fully enclosed foredeck cabin. It contains two lengthwise berths, four lockers, and a chemical heads. The space isn’t cosy and has neither windows nor ventilation, but the berths provide good length and width for one- or two-night stops.
Equipment and Systems
The standard sail plan comprises a full-batten mainsail, self-tacking jib, and rollable Code Zero. A furling gennaker on a below-deck furler is also available.
The 350kg hydraulic swing keel takes about 20 seconds to lift. An inbuilt fuse allows it to rise automatically if the boat hits the beach too quickly.
The retractable outboard can be either a Torqeedo electric motor or a 5hp petrol engine. It’s offset to clear the rudder and hinges into a sealed stern locker. Under way, a box seals the slot in the transom. One Torqeedo battery provides two hours of motoring and also powers the keel.
Telescopic swim steps retract into the transom. Seasmart recessed deck fittings allow the crew to clip on fenders one-handed.
Verdict
The Cape Cod 767 is an inventive 25-footer with genuine beachable and trailerable versatility, without giving up sailing performance. Her hydraulic centerboard, flush deck gear, and recessed cabin make her unusual in a crowded daysailer field, while the infused composite construction keeps the boat purposefully light.
The compromises are clear. The enclosed forepeak is sparse and has no ventilation, and early boats carried a mast that was almost impossible to trim.
Pros
- Hydraulic swing keel reduces draft to 9 inches and has an automatic fuse for grounding
- Light, infused composite construction; easy to trail and launch without a crane
- Stiff, quick hull with a responsive single rudder and solent self-tacking rig
Cons
- Enclosed cabin has no windows or ventilation
- Early aluminium mast was almost untrimmable
- Tiller was criticized for being too short
