| Development | |
|---|---|
| Designer | Lyle Hess |
| Location | United States/Canada |
| Year | 1976 |
| No. built | 129 (US), 30-45 (Canada) |
| Builder(s) | Sam L. Morse Co. Cape George Marine Works Steveston Fiberglass/G & B Woodworks |
| Role | Cruiser |
| Name | Bristol Channel Cutter |
| Boat | |
| Displacement | 14,000 lb (6,350 kg) |
| Draft | 4.83 ft (1.47 m) |
| Hull | |
| Type | monohull |
| Construction | fiberglass |
| LOA | 28.08 ft (8.56 m) |
| LWL | 26.25 ft (8.00 m) |
| Beam | 10.08 ft (3.07 m) |
| Engine type | Volvo MD 7A 13 hp (10 kW)diesel engine |
| Hull appendages | |
| Keel/board type | long keel |
| Ballast | 4,600 lb (2,087 kg) |
| Rudder(s) | transom and keel-mountedrudder |
| Rig | |
| Rig type | Cutter rig |
| Sails | |
| Sailplan | Cutter riggedsloop |
| Total sail area | 673.00 sq ft (62.524 m2) |
TheBristol Channel Cutter, also called theBristol Channel Cutter 28, is an Americansailboat that was designed byLyle Hess as a "character boat"cruiser and first built in 1976.[1][2][3]
The boat is based upon Hess's earlierRenegade design.[4]
The design was built bySam L. Morse Co. ofCosta Mesa, California,United States, who completed 128 boats between 1976 and 2007. In 2011 one boat was built byCape George Marine Works inPort Townsend, Washington. Between 30 and 45 boats were also built inVancouver, British Columbia,Canada, by two companies. The hulls were built by Steveston Fiberglass and the finish work performed by G & B Woodworks.[1][3][5][6][7][8]
There are reports of royalties not being paid to Lyle Hess and Sam L. Morse for the construction of the Canadian hulls.[7]
The rumor is a result of confusion over Hull Identification Numbers (HIN). At the time the Canadian Bristol Channel Cutter hulls were built, Canada did not require HINs and this resulted in a number of Bristol Channel Cutters without HINs. This lack of accountability for the hulls led to disagreements with Sam L. Morse, which amongst other reasons, led to them rescinding their license to Steveston Fiberglass and Canadian production was then stopped.[9]
The company often mentioned in these rumors, Channel Cutter Yachts, has never produced a Bristol Channel Cutter, but the owner, Bryan Gittins, is the G from G & B Woodworks who originally finished the Canadian hulls. G & B Woodworks dissolved with the ending of Bristol Channel Cutter production. Sometime after this Gittens purchased the rights to Lyle Hess'sFalmouth Cutter 34 design and setup shop as Channel Cutter Yachts in order to produce this new design.[10]
The Bristol Channel Cutter is a recreationalkeelboat, built predominantly offiberglass, with wood trim. It has acutter rig, a spoonedplumb stem, an angledtransom, a keel and transom-hungrudder controlled by atiller and a fixed longkeel. It displaces 14,000 lb (6,350 kg) and carries 4,600 lb (2,087 kg) of lead ballast.[1]
The hull length is 28.08 ft (8.56 m), but including thebowsprit andboomkin it is 37.75 ft (11.51 m)[1]
The boat has a draft of 4.83 ft (1.47 m) with the standard keel.[1]
The boat is fitted with a SwedishVolvo MD 7Adiesel engine of 13 hp (10 kW) or a JapaneseYanmar diesel of 27 hp (20 kW) for docking and maneuvering. The fuel tank holds 30 U.S. gallons (110 L; 25 imp gal).[1]
The design has sleeping accommodation for four people, with two straight settee berths and apilot berth in the main cabin and an aftquarter berth on the starboard side. Thegalley is located on the port side at thecompanionway ladder. The galley is L-shaped and is equipped with a stove and a sink. A navigation station is opposite the galley, on the starboard side. Thehead is located in the bow and includes an optional shower. The fresh water tank has a capacity of 64 U.S. gallons (240 L; 53 imp gal) and the holding tank has a capacity of 15 U.S. gallons (57 L; 12 imp gal). Cabin headroom is 75 in (190 cm).[1][3][7]
The design has ahull speed of 6.9 kn (12.8 km/h).[3]
ABlue Water Boats review noted that the design, "represents a pinnacle of ruggedness and practicality while retaining respectable performance. Few boats can take the abuse of extended voyaging as well as the Bristol Channel Cutter and I guess it's become something of a Lyle Hess masterpiece."[7]
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