Description
The Sea Hen is a 17 ft 6 in (5.33 m) glued-lapstrake plywood double-ended beach cruiser designed in 1991 by Iain Oughtred as a modern, lighter, and more refined descendant of the classic Ness Yawl / Shetland Sixern tradition. With a beam of 6 ft 2 in, wineglass transom, sweet sheer, and a high-peaked standing-lug mainsail of 158 sq ft (plus optional 30 sq ft mizzen), she carries a distinctive Scottish/Norwegian character while being thoroughly practical for trailer-sailing and single- or short-handed coastal cruising. Weighing around 750–850 lb. ready-to-sail and drawing only 9 in with the steel centerboard up (3 ft 6 in down), she launches easily, sails fast (especially off the wind), and rows beautifully when the breeze dies. Below, there is sitting headroom under a snug cuddy that sleeps one comfortably or two at a pinch, plus a huge self-draining cockpit. Built by amateurs and professionals worldwide from Oughtred’s detailed plans, the Sea Hen is widely regarded as one of the prettiest and most versatile small traditional cruisers of the modern era; dozens are actively sailed from Scotland to Australia and remain a favorite for anyone wanting classic looks, lively performance, and genuine camping-cruiser ability in under 18 ft.
