Cape Cod Cat vs Cornish Crabber 17
How do the Cape Cod Cat and Cornish Crabber 17 compare? Below, their dimensions, displacement, sail area and the standard design ratios side by side, followed by a data-driven summary.
Cape Cod Cat | Cape Cod Cat | Cornish Crabber 17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length overall | 17.0 ft5.18 m | 17.0 ft5.18 m |
| Waterline length | 16.4 ft5.00 m | 16.0 ft4.88 m |
| Beam | 7.9 ft2.41 m | 6.9 ft2.09 m |
| Draft | 4.8 ft1.47 m | 4.0 ft1.22 m |
| Displacement | 2,200 lb998 kg | 1,950 lb885 kg |
| Ballast | 500 lb227 kg | 217 lb98 kg |
| Sail area | 250 ft²23.2 m² | 178 ft²16.5 m² |
| SA / Displacement | 23.65 | 18.25 |
| Displacement / Length | 222 | 213 |
| Comfort ratio | 13.0 | 14.2 |
| Capsize screening | 2.44 | 2.20 |
| Hull speed (kn) | 5.4 | 5.4 |
Cape Cod Cat vs Cornish Crabber 17: the short version
- The Cape Cod Cat and Cornish Crabber 17 are close in length (17.0 ft5.18 m vs 17.0 ft5.18 m ).
- The Cape Cod Cat is heavier, displacing about 13% more, which usually means a steadier but slower-to-accelerate hull.
- On sail area/displacement the Cape Cod Cat carries the more powerful rig (23.6 vs 18.2), favouring lighter-air performance.
- The Cornish Crabber 17 scores higher on the Brewer comfort ratio, suggesting an easier motion in a seaway.
- By the capsize screening formula the Cornish Crabber 17 rates better for offshore work (2.20 vs 2.44).
Ratios are guidelines computed from published specs; condition, layout and gear matter as much as the numbers.