page_title: Cracksman 20
hierarchical_section_title: Cracksman 20
caption_attribution_description: English: Sailing (early model)
context_page_description: The Cracksman 20 is an early fibreglass-hulled Fractional rigged sloop sailing catamaran used for 'day boat' trips and longer cruises. Designed by Michael Henderson in the early 1960s and built by Newbridge Boats Ltd from 1963, the boat's shallow draft of less than three feet allows the boat to sail with versatility in even the shallowest of waters. When under motor, the dagger boards and twin rudders can be lifted, reducing the draft to just 8 inches. This allows the boat to operate easily in tidal areas and beach for quick loading and unloading of crew and equipment.
  The boat is 20 feet long and has a beam of just over 8 feet, allowing four or more adults to comfortably sail for extended periods of time. The front cabin area, on both the Mk I and Mk II versions allows the stowing of food, equipment and clothes out of the elements, facilitating longer passages where conditions may change unexpectedly.
  However, there are some problems with the early version of the Cracksman 20; whilst the boat did grow popular fast, this was more due to its sailing performance than the interior amenities.
context_section_description: The Cracksman 20 is an early fibreglass-hulled Fractional rigged sloop sailing catamaran used for 'day boat' trips and longer cruises. Designed by Michael Henderson in the early 1960s and built by Newbridge Boats Ltd from 1963, the boat's shallow draft (when sailing) of less than three feet allows the boat to sail with versatility in even the shallowest of waters. When under motor, the dagger boards and twin rudders can be lifted, reducing the draft to just 8 inches. This allows the boat to operate easily in tidal areas and beach for quick loading and unloading of crew and equipment.
  The boat is 20 feet (6.10m) long and has a beam of just over 8 feet (2.44m), allowing four or more adults to comfortably sail for extended periods of time. The front cabin area, on both the Mk I and Mk II versions allows the stowing of food, equipment and clothes out of the elements, facilitating longer passages where conditions may change unexpectedly.
  However, there are some problems with the early version of the Cracksman 20; whilst the boat did grow popular fast, this was more due to its sailing performance than the interior amenities (or lack thereof). Michael Henderson and Newbridge Boats Ltd decided to launch a successor model, the Cracksman 20 Mk II, which along with some minor structural and rigging differences, aimed to address the lack of interior amenities and improve the possibility of overnight passages and passages of a greater length.
caption: A Cracksman 20 under sail. Photo taken in 2017.
exif: {}