Robert Perry Yacht Design Homepage
Previously published in
Sailing Magazine Homepage
I've said it's tough to design an effective racer-cruiser today; I did not say it was impossible. As evidence that it is very possible, I offer the new C&C 38.
In this case it is hard to tell which came first, the hull or the interior. The designer can draw the ultimate hull for an overall length and rated length, then put whatever interior he can in it, or the designer can draw the interior dictated by the marketing division, the wrap a hull around it. It is usually pretty easy to tell which came first, but not with this design. We have here a hull closely oriented to IOR measured points, while encompassing an interior that is pure cruise and schmooze. The newest C&C is an honest effort to give you a boat that can win in your local races on corrected time without giving up any creature comforts.
Considering the skill of the C&C designer headed by Rob Ball, the result should do the job. Start with the draft. The 38 draws a whooping 7 feet 6 inches. Nothing helps like a deep keel. But if you can't cruise in your area with that much draft, you have the option of choosing a center board model or the new wing keel model. This boat is not a lightweight. The D/L ratio is 223 and this puts it toward the heavy end for a racing boat and the medium-light end of the cruising boats.
The general shape is very angular and hard in order to take advantage of the IOR. The waterline beam is quite narrow but the midships shoulders at the "B" point should make the boat harden up very quickly. The entry is very fine with a half angle of 21 degrees, which in itself is not extremely fine, but this angle is carried into the topsides and swells to a mere 23 degrees at the sheer. The bow shows an interesting shaved stem. The beam has been carried aft to a broad and flared transom. Note the long ventral find forward of the rudder. This find runs almost to the trailing edge of the keel filet, which is also drawn out. The bottom is flat from station .5 all the way to the transom.
Below we find all the necessary components and few tricks or novel areas. It is, in fact, basic layout A just smoothed and refined. This is fine. Basic A is hard to beat. Note the bulkheads angle like the Baltic series. To appreciate a C&C interior it is not enough to study the drawing; you must study the individual molded interior components to see the refinement. The detailing of this interior is as "turbo" as an interior from France, while keeping the layout consistent with what we have learned works best for a variety of uses. There are pilotberths port and starboard in the main cabin, with the option of eliminating the port pilot berth and substituting a row of lockers.
The sail plan shows three spreaders and no babystay. The sail area to displacement ratio is 19.44 using the "half loaded" displacement. Once again the combination of hull shape and deck shapes is extremely well orchestrated by the C&C group.
It's easier to draw more attention to a design by stretching out a clipper bow or "?wicked old witch's cabin in the woods" styling techniques. You can always find design excitement at the radical ends of the design spectrum. If you tread the delicate middle area that C&C does it is harder, but if you study the market carefully, you will find that the C&C approach covers a very wide and appreciative band of sailors.
Boat Specifications
| LOA | 37.55' |
| LWL | 31' |
| Beam | 12.8' |
| Draft | 7.6' |
| Displacement | 14275 lbs. |
| Ballast | 6246 lbs. |
| Sail Area | 729 sq. ft. |
"Bob Perry's design reviews are available in book form. Five volumes of his work, going back over twenty years, have been assembled. Information on ordering these books is available from Sailing Magazine, www.sailingonline.com or by e-mail at sailingmag@ameritech.net.com."