Robert Clark Cutter ORTAC

Wooden Ships Comments on this Robert Clark Cutter ORTAC

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