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Owens Cutter
Designer: Norman G. Owens  ·  Builder: The Owens Co./Henry R. Hinckley (Usa)  ·  First built: 1944
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About the Owens Cutter

Norman G. Owens designed this classic wooden cutter during the 1940s as a robust offshore cruiser, with production running from 1944 to 1955. Originally built by The Owens Company and later by Henry R. Hinckley, only 50 of these substantial vessels were constructed, making them relatively rare gems in today's market. At 40.5 feet overall with a 28-foot waterline, this heavy displacement cruiser embodies the seaworthy characteristics that made mid-century American designs legendary. The long keel configuration and generous 19,500-pound displacement, combined with 6,000 pounds of ballast, create exceptional stability and tracking ability in challenging conditions. Her traditional cutter rig with 651 square feet of sail area provides versatile sail handling options, particularly valuable when sailing shorthanded or in heavy weather. With a comfort ratio of 41.42, this boat prioritizes seaworthiness over speed, making her ideal for serious offshore cruising and extended passages. The conservative capsize screening value of 1.56 reinforces her reputation as a safe, stable platform. While her hull speed of 7.09 knots won't win races, the solid wooden construction and proven design make her a dependable choice for cruisers seeking a traditional vessel with genuine offshore capabilities.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.50 ft / 12.34 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
Beam 10.50 ft / 3.20 m
Max Draft 5.83 ft / 1.78 m
Displacement 19,500.00 lb / 8,845 kg
Ballast 6,000.00 lb / 2,722 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 651.00 ft² / 60.48 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction Wood
Designer Norman G. Owens
Builder The Owens Co./Henry R. Hinckley (USA)
First Built 1944
Last Built 1955
Number Built 50
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
14.43
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
30.77
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
396.56
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
41.42
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
1.56
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. 7.09 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
1.02
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. 1,050.49 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 14.67
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 44.00 ft / 13.41 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 39.00 ft / 11.89 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
SA Fore 330.00 ft² / 30.66 m²
SA Main 331.50 ft² / 30.80 m²
SA Total (100%) 661.50 ft² / 61.46 m²
Est. Forestay Length 46.49 ft / 14.17 m
How It Compares

vs. Bermuda 40 2 Hinckley, Mariner 40 Garden, Newport 41, Rival 41, Tartan 41

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Owens Cutter ★
40.5 ft
Bermuda 40 2 Hinckley
40.8 ft
Mariner 40 Garden
40.3 ft
Newport 41
40.7 ft
Rival 41
40.6 ft
Tartan 41
40.6 ft
LWL
Owens Cutter ★
28.0 ft
Bermuda 40 2 Hinckley
28.8 ft
Mariner 40 Garden
30.2 ft
Newport 41
30.0 ft
Rival 41
32.7 ft
Tartan 41
32.7 ft
Beam
Owens Cutter ★
10.5 ft
Bermuda 40 2 Hinckley
11.8 ft
Mariner 40 Garden
11.4 ft
Newport 41
11.2 ft
Rival 41
12.2 ft
Tartan 41
12.3 ft
Displacement
Owens Cutter ★
19 lbs
Bermuda 40 2 Hinckley
20 lbs
Mariner 40 Garden
26 lbs
Newport 41
17 lbs
Rival 41
22 lbs
Tartan 41
17 lbs
Ballast
Owens Cutter ★
6 lbs
Bermuda 40 2 Hinckley
7 lbs
Mariner 40 Garden
9 lbs
Newport 41
8 lbs
Rival 41
9 lbs
Tartan 41
9 lbs
Sail Area
Owens Cutter ★
651 sq ft
Bermuda 40 2 Hinckley
657 sq ft
Mariner 40 Garden
733 sq ft
Newport 41
Rival 41
788 sq ft
Tartan 41
725 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Owens Cutter ★
Bermuda 40 2 Hinckley
Mariner 40 Garden
Newport 41
113 s/nm
Rival 41
156 s/nm
Tartan 41
102 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Owens Cutter ★
14.4
Bermuda 40 2 Hinckley
14.3
Mariner 40 Garden
13.3
Newport 41
Rival 41
16.1
Tartan 41
17.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Owens Cutter ★
30.8 %
Bermuda 40 2 Hinckley
35.0 %
Mariner 40 Garden
Newport 41
46.8 %
Rival 41
Tartan 41
51.5 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Owens Cutter ★
41.4
Bermuda 40 2 Hinckley
35.8
Mariner 40 Garden
48.1
Newport 41
Rival 41
34.9
Tartan 41
28.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Owens Cutter ★
1.56
Bermuda 40 2 Hinckley
1.73
Mariner 40 Garden
1.54
Newport 41
Rival 41
1.74
Tartan 41
1.88
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Owens Cutter ★
396
Bermuda 40 2 Hinckley
372
Mariner 40 Garden
Newport 41
290
Rival 41
Tartan 41
228
Hull Speed
Owens Cutter ★
7.1 kts
Bermuda 40 2 Hinckley
7.2 kts
Mariner 40 Garden
7.4 kts
Newport 41
Rival 41
7.7 kts
Tartan 41
7.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Owens Cutter ★
1.0
Bermuda 40 2 Hinckley
1.1
Mariner 40 Garden
0.8
Newport 41
Rival 41
1.8
Tartan 41
2.4
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