Sailing yachts
Robert Clark Cutter ORTAC
(REF: 34699)€18000
Full specification
Wooden Ships Comments on this Robert Clark Cutter ORTAC
Designed by Robert Clark and built by Morgan Giles, Teignmouth in 1937 for a Colonel C.F. King.
The design is notably similar to Clarks smaller Mystery class which was a successful design in its own right, however Ortac is notably bigger at 49’ length on deck. Her waterline length of 35’ was not by accident, at the time of her build this was the magic number for the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) events and allows the boat to race in the smaller and larger fleets, giving the owner a choice of classes in which to complete. This meant there were many yachts built to this length creating a keen and active racing fleet with the attributes of the 8m yachts but the weatherliness to go around the Fastnet Rock.
Her plans show an easily driven yet powerful hull with elegant overhangs. Her 45% ballast ratio represents excellent stability and with the rig, ballast keel and water tanks all located close to the midships point she proved she could lift her ow and stern to the seas keeping the decks relatively dry.
Ortac performed as well as anyone could expect, winning her first outing at the Heligoland Race of 1937 and going on to have a huge number of racing successes, still wining races into the 1970’s. As one of the most decorated ocean racing boats of her period, this is a yacht with the heritage and provenance to set her apart and makes her deserving of the refit she now requires.
Much work was started by her late owner, but after his death the boat has been laid up in the shed and now requires a new custodian with the means to get her back to sea.
A true classic in every sense, an iconic part of British maritime history and a yacht we would all like to see racing once again.
More detailed information on the work required is available on request.
Length on Deck 49’
Length Waterline 35’
Beam 11’1”
Draft 7’6”
Displacement 14 tons
Sail Area 940sqft
Thames Tonnage 20TM
Construction
Hull
Teak hull planking copper fastened to sawn oak frames with steamed intermediate timbers.
New stainless steel floors across the centreline with stainless steel floor bolts.
Lead ballast keel with bronze keel bolts.
Decks and Cockpit
Marine plywood decks sheathed in epoxy glass cloth with a yacht laid teak deck over the top.
Self draining cockpit.
Superstructure
Teak superstructure, all original.
Rig
Spars
Bermudan cutter rig on a keel stepped alloy mast.
Standing and Running Rigging
Stainless steel standing rigging of unknown age.
Furlex roller furling headsail system
Sails
Mainsail, staysail, genoa and spinnaker of unknown age and condition.
Machinery
Engine
Mercedes Om616 72hp engine. Condition of the engine is not known and will certainly need work.
Accommodation
The interior is largely unchanged from original but much of it has been removed to gain access to the hull for the repairs.
All joinery that has been removed is with the boat to be used for the completion of the refit.
Wooden Ships classic yachts brokers have an extensive database of boats for sale. With a wide range of sailboats, classic yachts, motor yachts and small classic boats, Wooden Ships has one of the largest selections of traditional wooden boats and yachts for sale in the UK.
Disclaimer:
These particulars have been prepared in good faith from information provided by the Vendors and are intended as a guide, Wooden Ships cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. The Purchaser should instruct his agent or surveyor to validate all details as necessary and satisfy himself with the condition of the vessel and its equipment.
