[cabobo09]

Does anyone have any information about the Cape Horn 81’ trawler. I have heard they have issues with stability when heading into head seas? Any information would be appreciated.

Bo

[JWY]

I have not heard of this issue on the Cape Horn 81s nor have I experienced it on any of the sea trials when I was aboard.

The earlier models of the CH 63s tended to have wetter foredecks and later models added more bow flare and toerails which did diminish green water on deck.

Judy

[cdg]

Hi there - thanks for contributing to the forum everyone. I am interested in buying a Cape Horn vessel (Wright of Passage, now called Columbus) and wanted any owner info about the yachts, their sea worthiness,
construction, history, issues and so on - especially from owners. Any information or links would be gratefully received. the archived info was especially useful, thanks. I also have heard that the earlier vessels (from/to date?) lacked flare in the bow, meaning more pitch in head seas, but this was altered in later hulls? (I only seek info and dont want to start a wrong rumour here). Also any specific info on WoP and Columbus would be great. Thank you very much in advance.
cdg

[CYSB]

The ex “WRIGHT OF PASSAGE” now “COLUMBUS” is a 2001 Cape Horn 81’ X 22’ X 7’ 10” trawler that was designed by Charles Neville out of Maryland in the USA. The 330,000 lbs. displacement trawler was originally built for a Microsoft executive from the Pacific Northwest. The trawler was sold a couple of years ago to a banker from your neck of the woods and is presently lying in Auckland, New Zealand. Regarding the potential pitching tendency of the craft; I seriously doubt that the potential pitching motion is a factor due to the savvy knowledge of Mr. Neville, NA who had the trawler fitted with a bulbous bow when built. Bulbous bows tend to dampen pitching as much as 50% over traditional bow shapes and soften the bow wave as well as improve speed and decrease fuel consumption. A few months ago Pete Watson gave a bid to construct a new Watson 72 for $4,800,000.00 NZ and a Watson 79 for $6,250,000.00 NZ plus an export fee of 12 ½% for a foreign buyer. It also requires 20 months to complete construction. The Cape Horn 81 “Columbus” is offered for sale at a terrific value for a fully found any ocean cruising vessel…

['roundthehorn]

I wish the web site of Wright of Passage was still up for viewing. I followed the build and subsequent owner's travels with his new yacht and can recall his concern about water coming aboard. His (and his captain's) main concern was that the water did not drain well from the decks (including the bridge deck!) due the design. I believe it came up so many times in their journey down the East coast to a FL yacht show and then across the Gulf heading for the Panama Canal, that they joked about naming the "lakes" after Peter Sever.

I also recall the owner writing about his mother (or grandmother? Sorry, don't remember.) finding it easier to crawl about about the vessel and scoot on her bottom when on the stairs while underway since the ride was difficult for her advanced years.

[cabobo09]

I did quite a bit of research on the 81's after my posting. The owner of CH required that the boat be designed to sustain a complete roll over. This required the deck house be constructed from steel which adds a considerable amont of weight up top. Additionally, a column has to be installed in the salon while underway in order to carry the additional load should there be a roll over. To counter the additional weight up top, a huge plate (keel shoe)was welded to the keel to add ballast as low as possible. This along with large bilge keels helped, but they still have a considerable amount of roll in beam seas.

As you point out, the boats are very wet going into head seas. One other comment that was made that even if the boat survived a roll over, the crew would have considerable injuries from the acceleration forces in the vessel righting herself.

Other than that, all other reports were good.

[CYSB]

That is interesting about the owner requirements prior to the CH 81 construction process. On occasion, some owner's when commissioning a new build attempt to place 25 pounds of horse manure into a ten pound bag... Sounds like the “COLUMBUS” may have too much weight up top… Jim

[cabobo09]

Jim

I was actually refering the the owner of CH Yachts. All CH 81's were designed to sustain a roll over. The structure of the pilot house is massive. One other thing I discovered and could not get clarity on from several NA's was that the stabilizers were located midway along large bilge keels. Some commented that the dirty water around them greatly reduce their ability to perform according to their design intent. If anyone out there has the answer, it would be interesting to hear your opinion.......Bo

[K1W1]

Hi,

I have no experience with these Boats but do have recent experience with Quantum and the non use of bilge keels with their fins for that reason.

[JWY]

All Cape Horns were designed to self right and one did indeed during the tsunami in Phuket. The 81s were the only ones with the support post in the pilothouse to prevent roof collapse in a rollover.

One of the compelling features of bilge keels is to provide passive stabilization. For those Cape Horn trawlers that also have active fin stabilization, the fins are located "within" the bilge keels. While there is compromise, sacrifice of maximal benefit from the active system, the inserted fins still provide additional stabilization but are additionally protected. Would be close to impossible to ground or damage a fin and reduces likelihood of wrapped line or other entanglements. However, the actuators are encased in a watertight compartment as part of Cape Horn's philosophy of expecting the unexpected which actually proved itself on a bolt failure and pin shearing on a CH 63.

I have discussed the fins and their location with owners and all of the CH owners (7) with active fin stabilizers are satisfied with the compromised performance.

Judy

[TimL]

I spoke once with the designer and he mentioned that he was somewhat tied to building the house from steel due to the requirements of the builder. He did the best he could and weight had to be added low to counter the weight of the house. The boat was very heavy.
I thought I still had the email, but it was a couple years ago. His newer designs have an aluminum house which he says really helped with the issues that the CHY had. Although he did not say the CHY handle poorly, it took more work to counteract the full steel construction.
Tim

[JWY]

The new Cape Horn 68s will have an aluminum superstructure.

Judy

['roundthehorn]

Originally Posted by JWY

The new Cape Horn 68s will have an aluminum superstructure.

Judy,

Is the "new" Cape Horn (based in Croatia) still developing yachts? The company's website has not linked to a functioning site in months, instead showing a generic placeholder.

URL Removed Due to Content

Do you have another URL?

[K1W1]

Originally Posted by 'roundthehorn

Judy,

Is the "new" Cape Horn (based in Croatia) still developing yachts? The company's website has not linked to a functioning site in months, instead showing a generic placeholder.

URL Removed Due to Content

Do you have another URL?

Hi,

I don't know what you get when you click on the link but what I got does not belong on this forum.

[JWY]

About 2 years ago there was a client who wanted to build Cape Horn Trawlers in Croatia, but his spec boat never got off the ground and subsequently negotiations were discontinued. He had a website calling the vessels Cape Horn Yachts but that website was supposed to have been removed a long time ago.

Peter Sever is in discussions for building the CH 68 at the original Canadian yard; however, it is too premature for a Cape Horn Trawler website. I was at meetings with the yard last week and am optimistic about a proper revival but there is nothing specific to report at this time.

Judy