The Royal Cape One Design
 Sailboat

The Royal Cape One Design is a 9.1 m monohull sailboat that was designed by the renowned Dutch naval architect E. G. van de Stadt in 1961.

It is a fast and light boat that was ahead of its time in terms of performance and design. It was built mostly in South Africa, where it never became a popular one-design class, but rather a unique and rare sailboat for racing enthusiasts.

A Royal Cape One Design sailboat approaching Plymouth, UKThe very light and fast Royal Cape One Design

Published Specification for the Royal Cape One Design

Underwater Configuration:  Fin keel with spade rudder

Hull Material: Plywood

Length Overall: 29' 9" (9.1m)

Waterline Length: 27' 10" (8.5m)

Beam: 7' 0" (2.13m)

Draft: 5' 2" (1.6m)

Rig Type: Fractional Sloop

Displacement: 4,020lb (1,823kg)

Designer: E G van de Stadt

Year First Built: 1961


A Few FAQs...

What are the published design ratios for the Royal Cape One Design and, based on those ratios, how is the boat likely to perform under sail?

The Royal Cape One Design has a sail area/displacement ratio of 22.5, which indicates a high-performance boat with plenty of power. It also has a displacement/length ratio of 82.7, which places it in the ultralight category, making it very responsive and agile. The comfort ratio is 16.4, which suggests a lightweight racing boat with a lively motion that may not be very comfortable in rough seas. The capsize screening formula is 1.8, which means that the boat has good stability and righting ability if capsized.

Is the Royal Cape One Design still in production and, if not, when did production end and how many of these sailboats were built?

The Royal Cape One Design is not in production anymore. The exact number of boats built is unknown, but it is estimated to be around 20 to 30. The production ended sometime in the late 1960s or early 1970s.

What, if any, alternative versions of the Royal Cape One Design were built and what are the differences between them?

The Royal Cape One Design was originally designed for single-chined plywood construction, but later a fibreglass version was also built from moulds that were made off a plywood boat. The fibreglass version had the same single-chined hull shape as the plywood version, but it was slightly heavier and more durable

How many people can sleep on board a Royal Cape One Design?

The Royal Cape One Design is not designed for cruising or overnight stays, but rather for racing and day sailing. It has a very minimal interior with no cabin or berths, only some storage space and a small cockpit. Therefore, it is not suitable for sleeping on board.

How did the sailing press review the Royal Cape One Design?

The Royal Cape One Design did not receive much attention from the sailing press, as it was mostly confined to South Africa and never became a popular or widespread class. However, some articles have praised its innovative design and impressive performance, calling it a "miniature ULDB" (ultra light displacement boat) and a "pocket rocket".

What do owners of the Royal Cape One Design have to say about their boats?

Owners of the Royal Cape One Design are generally very enthusiastic and passionate about their boats, as they are rare and unique sailboats that offer a thrilling sailing experience. They enjoy the speed, agility, and responsiveness of the boat, as well as its simplicity and elegance. They also appreciate the challenge and skill required to sail it well.

What is the history of the builders of the Royal Cape One Design and is the company still in business?

The builders of the Royal Cape One Design are not well documented, but it is believed that they were mostly amateur or semi-professional boatbuilders who followed the plans provided by van de Stadt. Some of them may have been affiliated with the Royal Cape Yacht Club in Cape Town, where the boat was first launched. The company or companies that built the fibreglass version are also unknown. It is unlikely that any of them are still in business today.

What sailplan and rig options, if any, are available for the Royal Cape One Design?

The Royal Cape One Design has a fractional sloop rig, meaning that it has a single mast with a mainsail and a headsail that does not reach all the way to the top of the mast. The sail area is 32.9 m², which is relatively large for its size. The boat can also carry a spinnaker for downwind sailing.

What is the average cost of a secondhand Royal Cape One Design?

The Royal Cape One Design is a very rare and sought-after sailboat, so it is hard to find one for sale. The price may vary depending on the condition, location, and history of the boat, but it is likely to be in the range of $10,000 to $20,000.

How does the Royal Cape One Design compare to other similar sailboats in its class?

The Royal Cape One Design is a unique and innovative sailboat that does not have many direct competitors in its class. It is much lighter and faster than most other sailboats of its size and age, but also less comfortable and practical. It may be compared to some other ultralight sailboats designed by van de Stadt, such as the Zeeslang, the Waarschip, or the Randmeer.

The above answers were drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; to the best of our knowledge, we believe them to be accurate.


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