CORNISH CORMORANT

I was astonished to see Edwin Dewhurst's criticism of the Cornish Cormorant, based apparently on the relationship of its mast position to its point of maximum beam. I am sure that Liz Baker will have something to say in its defence. However I would like to add my twopenceworth.

The Cormorant is a reasonably wholesome example of the American catboat. The first of these called 'Una', 16' 6" long, was brought over to England in 1853 resulting in the rig often being misnamed 'Una' in this country ever since. They normally have a beam of about half their waterline length which naturally gives great stability. Nevertheless there are thousands of successful small boats in this country in which the mast is set well forward carrying the only sail, yet with narrower beam. They seem no more likely to capsize in the conditions described than those with masts further aft.

A more valid objection to the forward siting of the mast would be the extra weight in the bows tending to aggravate any digging in tendency. However catboats are normally designed with fairly full bows to avoid this danger. The low gaff rig also helps as the forward leverage of the sails producing this effect with the wind aft is thus reduced. Presumably the designer discourages a metal centreboard conversion on the Cormorant because the bow is somewhat finer than on typical catboats.

The centreboard has to be forward if the centre of effort of the sail is forward in order to retain balance but is the centreboard on a Cormorant so far forward? The Finn which I converted has the mast stepped even further forward, its original position, in relation to the point of maximum beam than the Cormorant and with a beam of only one third of its length. Nevertheless there are very few dinghies I would prefer to be in when running downwind in strong conditions. I normally give it just a little centreboard to help steering, but of course it is good seamanship not to have the centreboard down on any open boat when the wind is aft so one can scarcely criticise a design on this point. Most of my gear is stowed level with the centreboard, and forward of the point of maximum beam. The Finn's good manners in this regard are even more noteworthy as it has no skeg. The sail area is the same as the Cormorant but the hull of course is 25% longer but narrower.

Peter Bick