The James Cutter & Prothero Sloop
Twin Build Contrasts Traditional and Modern Boatbuilding Methods and Materials
Though “twins” in size and general appearance, the 26’ James Cutter (designed by Port Townsend naval architect Jim Franken) will give students experience with traditional construction methods and materials. The 26’ Prothero Sloop(designed by Will Sturdy of the Brooklin Boat Yard in Maine) will give the same group of students experience with cold molding and other modern construction methods.
Below the waterline, the hulls will be very distinct from one another, but above the sheer line they will have very similar cabin house and cockpit assemblies.
The traditionally built James Cutter hull will consist of plank-on-frame construction. Essentially all the individual members of the hull will be held together by joinery and bronze fasteners.
The wood composite hull of the Prothero Sloop will use a much lighter construction technique called cold molding and will be built in the “spirit of tradition” style: a traditional looking topsides with a more modern fin keel/spade rudder under water, yielding a higher performance sailboat matched with a higher performance rig.
A video recording of the twin build will capture the experience for a wider audience and future teaching purposes.
