Cape George Cutter 36'

Description

The Cape George 36 cutter was inspired by the classic designs of William Atkin (particularly his 1930s Tally Ho Major lines), adapted for fiberglass construction by designer Edwin Monk Sr., with the concept originating from renowned New Zealand-born boatbuilder Cecil Lange. Lange, who admired Atkin's work after seeing a successful wooden cutter based on it in the Puget Sound area, established Cecil Lange & Son in 1974 in Port Townsend, Washington, and commissioned the adaptation that birthed the Cape George 36 in 1979. Production continued under Lange until his retirement in 2000, after which the yard was revived in 2004 by former employee Todd Uecker and his brother Tim as Cape George Marine Works, which still builds related models today. Construction typically features a robust fiberglass hull (initially with wood-lined bulwarks and teak/wood decks, later evolving to solid fiberglass or foam/fiberglass for better durability and lower maintenance), a full long keel, transom-hung rudder, cutter rig, high bulwarks for safety, wineglass transom, and sea-kindly hull form for excellent offshore performance and load-carrying ability. Many were sold as hulls or partial kits for owner completion (often with owners living on-site during builds), leading to variations in finish and layout, though factory-completed examples showcase exceptional craftsmanship. Exact production numbers are not widely documented but appear limited (likely in the dozens over decades), as these are semi-custom, hand-built bluewater boats prized for their traditional aesthetics and proven seaworthiness—one famously won the 2022-2023 Golden Globe Race.