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Cap Horn
Designer: Jean-Jacques Herbulot  ·  Builder: Jouet (Fra)  ·  First built: 1959
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About the Cap Horn

Designed by renowned French naval architect Jean-Jacques Herbulot in 1959, the Cap Horn represents a classic example of European small boat craftsmanship from France's Jouet shipyard. This compact 21-footer showcases traditional wooden construction with thoughtful proportions that reflect the designer's expertise in creating seaworthy pocket cruisers. The boat's masthead sloop rig and moderate sail area make it well-suited for coastal cruising and weekend adventures, while its substantial ballast-to-displacement ratio of 44% provides reassuring stability. The keel/centerboard configuration offers versatility, allowing access to shallow anchorages while maintaining good windward performance when the board is deployed. With a comfort ratio of 11.3, the Cap Horn leans toward the sportier end of the cruising spectrum, suggesting lively sailing characteristics rather than purely comfortable motion. The deep draft and respectable displacement create a boat that should handle coastal conditions confidently, though the relatively high capsize screening number indicates it's best kept closer to shore. Hull speed calculations suggest pleasant performance under sail, making this an appealing choice for sailors seeking a traditional wooden boat with proven French design pedigree for protected water cruising.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 21.33 ft / 6.50 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 19.67 ft / 6.00 m
Beam 7.08 ft / 2.16 m
Max Draft 5.20 ft / 1.58 m
Min Draft 2.16 ft / 0.66 m
Displacement 2,000.00 lb / 907 kg
Ballast 880.00 lb / 399 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 240.00 ft² / 22.30 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction Wood
Designer Jean-Jacques Herbulot
Builder Jouet (FRA)
First Built 1959
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 24.25
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 44
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 117.32
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 11.3
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.25
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.94 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 497.60 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Water Capacity 10 gals / 38 L
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