Description
The Glen-L 21CB, a versatile 21-foot centerboard sloop designed by Glen L. Witt in the 1970s and offered through Glen-L Marine Designs, epitomizes the firm's commitment to lightweight, trailerable sailboats that deliver coastal cruising and overnighting capability for amateur builders in shallow-water havens like the ICW, Chesapeake tributaries, or Great Lakes bays. Measuring 21 feet LOA (19'6" LWL) with a 7-foot 6-inch beam and 9.5-inch draft (board up; 4 feet down with 400 pounds of lead ballast for stability), it displaces 1,800 pounds dry, enabling easy towing behind a mid-size SUV (under 3,000 pounds trailered) and solo launching via a simple ramp or davits; the masthead sloop rig deploys 215 square feet of sail (130 sq ft main, 85 sq ft jib; SA/D ~16.5 for responsive handling, hull speed ~5.9 knots with 5–7 knots reaching in 10–15 knots breeze), featuring a tabernacle-stepped aluminum mast for effortless raising and a winch-operated centerboard for fine-tuned balance or beaching. Constructed via plywood-on-frame marine plywood (¼-inch planking over oak stringers, sheathed in fiberglass/epoxy for waterproof integrity and low weight), the design requires 600–800 build hours using Glen-L's full-size patterns and detailed instructions, including a self-bailing cockpit, kick-up rudder, and interior with 5'10" headroom, V-berth forward, convertible saloon settees (sleeping 4), compact galley nook with sink and icebox, and enclosed chemical head—ideal for weekend escapes or light coastal hops. Auxiliary power via a 5–9.9 hp outboard in a transom well provides 4–5 knot motoring; with dozens completed worldwide since its debut, the 21CB earns praise for its forgiving helm, dry ride, and puddle-jumping versatility, though it shines most in protected waters rather than open ocean.
