BoatsCracksman 20

Cracksman 20

Catamaran, twin centreboards · Fractional Sloop · First built 1963

A Michael Henderson-designed 1963 catamaran built for performance, featuring a high sail area-to-displacement ratio

Designed by Michael Henderson, built by Newbridge Boats.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Hull type
Catamaran Twin Cbrd.

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

TrailerableBeam 2.44 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 522 kg of hull, so roughly 1,100 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Ramp-launchableAbout 522 kg of hull, with a keel that raises or a draught shallow enough to float off a trailer — she can go back on the trailer at the ramp, not only into the water.Shoal draughtDraws 0.25 m, board up where she has one — creeks, sandbars and thin anchorages most keels have to stay out of.
LightHeavy

125 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 125
EasygoingPowered-up

29.2 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.

Sail area / displacement 29.2
  • Heavier than ~90% of boats her size on file

Compared with 137 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
29.2
Displacement / length
125.2
Hull
Hull type
Catamaran Twin Cbrd.
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1963
Designer
Michael Henderson
Builder
Newbridge Boats

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Hobie 21 SE6.48 mSame hull family0.4 m longerA high-performance catamaran with a rotating spar, originally developed as a one-design for professional racing
Astus Boats 20.55.95 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA VPLP-designed trimaran offered in Leisure and Sport configurations, the latter carrying 24 square metres of sail
Hobie Tiger 185.51 mSame hull family0.6 m shorterDesigned to the Formula 18 rule, this 5.5-metre catamaran features twin daggerboards and a high power-to-weight ratio
Hobie Getaway5.05 mSame hull family1.1 m shorterA 17-foot rotomolded catamaran featuring a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio and a trapeze for spirited daysailing
Hobie 165.05 mSame hull family1.1 m shorterThe most popular sailing catamaran ever built, featuring a rotating spar and boardless hull for high-speed beach sailing
Supercat 154.65 mSame hull family1.5 m shorterA high-performance beach catamaran with a rotating spar and an exceptional sail-area-to-displacement ratio

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

Two ways to keep looking — both search what the fleet has actually recorded.

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