Cape Henry 21 Launched

July 27, 2017

There was an enthusiastic crowd on hand in Mahone Bay on July 8th to watch the launch of Ryerson and Anne Clark’s Cape Henry 21 Elvee. The Clarks had the hull and deck of the Dudley Dix designed cutter built by Keith Nelder of Big Pond Boat Shop in Martin’s River. Once Keith was done they moved the boat to their driveway and completed her exactly on time for the launch date they had picked many months ago. This is a couple not afraid of hard work and it took a very considerable effort to get the boat painted inside and out and have the rigging and hardware installed. The boat’s sails were made by Michele Stevens Sailloft on Second Peninsula.

While the Cape Henry 21 is of traditional appearance and rig, Dix is not one to design slow boats. I asked Ryerson about his first impressions of the boat’s performance.

“Sea trials so far show the boat as a pleasure to sail. Responsive, light on the helm and sails in air that will barely move smoke. She likes a brisk wind and is amazing to handle in gusty winds. For her size, she is comfortable and roomy down below. We rigged her more traditionally than the design calls for. For example, we used a fife rail at the mast instead of running the halyards on deck back to the cockpit. We continue to adjust the AmSteel rigging and, so far, the creep isn’t overly problematic. a little extra splicing and we are good to go. Using deadeyes and turnbuckles on the forestay and shrouds was a good move as they easily allow slight adjustments as we are underway.”

Elvee is packed and ready for the couple’s first multi-day trip, hopefully in early August. GC

Credit: Pierre Gauthier

Launch video, credit: Ryerson Clark
https://vimeo.com/225842669

Sea trial video, credit: Matt Singer and Ian McGrath
https://vimeo.com/225903208