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Falmouth Cutter 22
Designer: Lyle Hess  ·  Builder: Sam L Morse Co.  ·  First built: 1980
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About the Falmouth Cutter 22

Designed as a traditional double-ended cutter, this compact cruiser draws inspiration from classic working boat heritage while adapting those proven qualities for modern recreational sailing. The design emphasizes seaworthiness and self-sufficiency over speed, making it particularly appealing to sailors who prioritize safety and traditional aesthetics. Built with a focus on coastal cruising and short-handed sailing, the Falmouth Cutter 22 features the characteristic long keel and heavy displacement that define traditional cruising designs. The cutter rig configuration provides excellent sail balance and multiple headsail options, allowing sailors to adapt to varying wind conditions with ease. The boat's reputation centers on its ability to handle challenging conditions with confidence, though this comes at the expense of racing performance. The full keel design offers excellent tracking and directional stability, while the traditional construction methods appeal to sailors who appreciate classic boatbuilding techniques. For those seeking a pocket cruiser with old-world character, this design offers the romance of traditional sailing in a manageable size. The emphasis on craftsmanship and seaworthiness makes it suitable for sailors who value reliability and classic sailing experiences over modern conveniences or competitive speed.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.50 ft / 9.30 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.83 ft / 6.35 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 3.50 ft / 1.07 m
Displacement 7,400.00 lb / 3,357 kg
Ballast 2,500.00 lb / 1,134 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) -Main: 150.12 ft² / 13.95 m²
Headroom 5.92 ft / 1.80 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long keel w/trans. hung rudder
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Lyle Hess
Builder Sam L Morse Co.
First Built 1980
Number Built 40
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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
6.32
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
33.78
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
365.52
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. 3.57 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 16.44
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.83 ft / 3.91 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 389.00 ft² / 36.14 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Yanmar
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 9
Fuel Capacity 15 gals / 57 L
Water Capacity 40 gals / 151 L
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