Back to Search
Cape Cod 896
Designer: Hervé Nollet And Clément Salzes  ·  Builder: Rosewest (Fra)  ·  First built: 2010
+ Add to Compare
About the Cape Cod 896

Designed by the French duo Hervé Nollet and Clément Salzes, this 35-foot sailboat represents a thoughtful approach to coastal cruising and recreational sailing. Built by Rosewest in France starting in 2010, the Cape Cod 896 combines traditional aesthetics with modern construction techniques, featuring a GRP hull with vinylester and polyester laminate for durability and longevity. The boat's centerboard trunk configuration provides excellent versatility for shallow-water exploration while maintaining good sailing performance in deeper waters. With a fractional sloop rig and well-balanced sail plan of 426.25 square feet, the Cape Cod 896 delivers responsive handling that appeals to both experienced sailors and those developing their skills. At 3,196 pounds displacement with 1,036 pounds of ballast, this design strikes a favorable balance between stability and performance. The comfortable 9.89 comfort ratio suggests pleasant motion in moderate seas, while the SA/Displacement ratio of 31.51 indicates lively sailing characteristics in light to moderate winds. Ideal for coastal cruising, day sailing, and weekend adventures, the Cape Cod 896 offers the shoal-draft capability to access protected harbors and anchorages that deeper-draft vessels cannot reach. The modest 14-horsepower engine provides reliable auxiliary power for harbor maneuvering and calm conditions.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 35.43 ft / 10.80 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.25 ft / 7.09 m
Beam 8.96 ft / 2.73 m
Max Draft 4.76 ft / 1.45 m
Min Draft 1.48 ft / 0.45 m
Displacement 3,196.70 lb / 1,450 kg
Ballast 1,036.00 lb / 470 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 426.25 ft² / 39.60 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard (Trunk)
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction GRP/vinylester and polyester laminate
Designer Hervé Nollet and Clément Salzes
Builder Rosewest (FRA)
First Built 2010
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

Own or have surveyed a Cape Cod 896? Submit a known issue

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
 31.51
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
 32.41
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
 113.55
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
 9.89
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
 2.44
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. 6.46 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. 744.35 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 14
Fuel Capacity 7 gals / 25 L
LOD 29.40 ft / 8.96 m
Find a Cape Cod 896 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace