Paragon — Bristol Channel Cutter

Few boats are built today that will withstand many years of punishment from blue water cruising. Lyle Hess designed boats just for that purpose. His designs have been proven by the many Bristol Channel Cutter owners who have ventured across the oceans. Everything about the Bristol Channel Cutter’s design exudes seaworthiness. Not only is she stouthearted but will surprise most with her sailing performance both in light and heavy airs. Take careful note of her lines and how the water will flow undisturbed from her stem to the transom. The flat buttocks and flatness of the hull at the stem prevent her from squatting as she reaches hull speed. The generous sail area and long water line give her remarkable speeds in even light airs. Large headsails may be carried due to the long “J” measurement created by the bowsprit. Combined with the staysail, the effect is exceptional, providing excellent windward ability. The accommodations are so intricately laid out that most owners find that even the smallest modifications have implications elsewhere below. Sea berths abound, and stowage is everywhere.

Interior Layout and Accommodations

• The Bristol Channel Cutter and Falmouth Cutter feature an entirely hand fabricated interior. After the hull has been leveled and the ballast encapsulated the bulkheads are installed. Bulkheads are 3/4″ marine plywood bonded directly to the hull on both sides with 12″ of 1.5 oz mat, 24 oz roving, 1.5 oz mat, and 7.5 oz cloth. A 2″ hole is cut about every 18″ around the perimeter on the main bulkhead so bonding on both sides will fuse together through the holes. A 1″ foam barrier is installed between the bulkheads and the hull. This cushioning pad prevents hard point failure of the hull after years of yielding to the forces of the sea. The more bulkheads bonded to the hull and deck, the stronger the boat. There are 4 bulkheads bonded 360 degrees, and three additional quarter bulkheads bonded to the hull and deck amidships.
• After the bulkheads have been installed, the furniture is fitted and bonded in a similar fashion as the bulkheads. All furniture is bonded on both sides using two layers of 8″ 1.5 oz mat and 7.5 oz cloth. The bonding of the furniture is clearly visible. Interior cabin sides are of vertically oriented Alaskan Yellow Cedar. Teak plywood is used on cabinet and bunk faces and finished with solid teak trim. Solid ash ceiling strips line the hull sides of all berths and workbench. The cabin sole is 1/2″ solid teak laid over 3/4″ marine ply. White fiberglass panels, grooved to resemble Tongue and Groove lumber are bonded to the bulkheads and overhead.
• Interior layout from aft to forward. Interior spaces are entered by way of center-line companionway from cockpit (aft). Companionway steps are easily removed to allow for access to engine area by way of hinged door and lift-up countertop
• To starboard is a well-sized quarter berth extending aft under the cockpit providing sleeping space for two (2) persons. Immediately forward of the quarter berth is a storage cabinet with a large (full-sized charts) navigation desk counter-top and storage space below the cabinet surface in lockers and drawers.
• Opposite (to port) is the galley area with insulated ice box and dry goods storage located below the galley counter-top. Additional galley storage in outboard lockers and below the galley countertop in drawer and locker storage. There is a stainless-steel sink basin inset in the galley countertop, and this is provided with (cold only) fresh and salt water by way of manually operated hand and foot pumps. Further forward in the galley area is equipment for cooking and heating with both an Origo 1500 alcohol stove and a Pacific diesel-fired, gimbaled stove with oven.
• Next forward (on centerline) is a drop-leaf table. To port and starboard of the table are full length settee berths with storage under berths and additional storage above and outboard of the settees in lockers and shelves.
• Continuing forward one passes through the main bulkhead to a forward cabin area. To port in this cabin is a work bench with storage under in lockers and drawers. This work bench may (with the addition of cushions) be used as an additional (single) sleeping berth. To starboard in the forward cabin is first a hanging locker, followed by a marine toilet and additional bench space.
• The below deck spaces aboard Paragon are nicely finished off with teak and holly cabin soles, joinery and bulkhead fronts. The hull interior, joinery fronts and overhead are finished white to provide contrast to the darker varnished teak furniture and also to help reflect natural and artificial light. The interior space is well lighted with three (3) port lights on either side of the cabin, an overhead butterfly hatch and well positioned overhead dome lights and working lights in galley and nav areas. Ventilation is also well provided for with opening ports, opening butterfly hatch and forward scuttle hatch.

Hull, Deck, Cabin and Cockpit Construction

• Full keel with keel hung rudder underwater configuration. Bottom coating is green anti-fouling paint; Topsides are white gelcoat with contrasting dark green single boot stripe. Varnished teak sheer planks and taffrail with white painted rub rails port and starboard. Topsides continue upwards to bulwarks with painted (white and green finish. Main decks are overlaid with teak and cabin top surface is molded non-skid gelcoat.
• The two-part female mold first gets a white or light ivory gel coat above the boot stripe. A contrasting color (in this case dark green) is applied to the sheer stripe and boot stripe during this initial gel coating. After the color gel coating is complete, a black gel coat is applied. Then structural lay-up begins with a skin coat of 1.5 oz mat and 7.5 oz cloth. This is followed by three layers of 1.5 oz mat and 24 oz roving over the entire hull. An additional layer of 1.5 oz mat and 24 oz roving is applied below the water line and repeated again at the transom, forward at the bow and at the chainplate location. Finally, the entire hull has another layer of 1.5 oz mat and 7.5 oz cloth added. All materials are hand laid and hand squeegeed to ensure a solid lay-up without air bubbles. The result is a hull that is about 3/8″ at the sheer, 1/2″ at the water line, increasing to over 1″ thick near the bottom of the hull. The actual thickness at the bottom of the keel is greater than 1″ because of overlapping layers at this location. The hull will weigh approximately 2,600 lbs. when finished.
• The solid, pre-cast 4,600lb lead ballast is set inside the hull cavity. After the hull is leveled and a dam installed, resin is poured into this cavity to completely encapsulate the ballast. Three layers of 1.5 oz mat and 24 oz roving are applied over the encapsulated ballast to ensure a lifetime of trouble-free use. The mast step is set on top of this solid mass.
• The deck gets similar treatment. The deck mold is gel coated with the same white or light ivory as the hull. The non-skid is a slightly darker camel color. This is followed by black gel coat and a layer of 1.5 oz mat, 7.5 oz cloth, 1.5 oz mat, 24 oz roving, 1.5 oz mat and scored 1/2″ marine plywood core for stiffening. Extra layers of plywood are used where the mast and bits penetrate the deck. The Plywood core permits hardware to be mounted anywhere without reinforcing. The plywood core is encapsulated with additional lay-ups of 1.5 oz mat and 24 oz roving. Lazarette locker coamings are molded into the deck, providing excellent drainage.
• After the interior is roughed in and everything is bonded to the hull, the deck is set in place. The hull has a 3.5″ in-turning flange to support the deck. After the deck is in register to the hull, it is drilled around its circumference every 5″, alternating each hole so they are not in line. The deck is raised and cleaned before 3M 5200 marine sealant is applied. After the deck is set into the sealant, 1/4″ stainless steel bolts are place through the holes and the deck is bonded to the hull flange using washers and lock nuts. After the hull to deck join is complete, the cover board is applied over this joint. This piece is screwed through the deck into the hull flange every 5″ alternating with the bolts. This deck joint is further strengthened when the bulwark stanchions are thru-bolted every 20″ using 1/2″ stainless steel bolts. After the joint is complete, the bulkheads and furniture are bonded to the deck in the same manner used in bonding to the hull.
• NOTE: New teak decks 2016

Deck, Cockpit and Cabin top Hardware and Features

• White painted Sitka Spruce bow sprit with bronze hardware, stainless steel wire rigging and bronze turnbuckle adjusters
• White painted Sitka Spruce boomkin with bronze hardware, stainless steel wire rigging and bronze turnbuckle adjusters
• Upper and lower stainless steel wire life lines port and starboard
• Life line opening gates port and starboard
• Manganese Bronze life line stanchions port and starboard
• Bronze manually-operated windlass mounted on bow sprit
• White painted Sitka Spruce samson posts at inboard end of bow sprit
• Bronze bow line hawse pipes port and starboard at bow
• Anchor locker dorade vent to port of bow sprit
• FRP scuttle hatch to forward cabin on foredeck with hinged varnished teak hatch lid and drop boards.
• Varnished teak handrails port and starboard on scuttle hatch lid
• Circular bronze opening ports on scuttle hatch sides port and starboard
• Bronze pad eyes port and starboard at aft end of scuttle hatch
• Deck prism with bronze plate in deck to port of scuttle hatch
• Bronze deck fitting (Waste pump-out) outboard to starboard on foredeck
• Bronze mast partner between forward end of main cabin and aft end of scuttle hatch
• Exterior mounted bronze shroud chainplates port and starboard topsides outboard of mast partner
• Bronze cleats and thru-bulwark hawse pipes at mid-rail port and starboard
• Self-bailing FRP cockpit aft of main cabin
• Storage lazarette under deck aft of cockpit
• Bronze deck fitting (Fuel fill) aft of storage lazarette
• Barlow #23-26 bronze sheet winches port and starboard outboard of cockpit
• Bronze pad eyes for sheet leads (snatch blocks) port and starboard and outboard of sheet winches
• Bronze sheet cleats port and starboard and aft of sheet winches
• Bronze deck fitting  (Water fill) outboard of port sheet winch
• Bronze stern line docking cleats mounted port and starboard at forward ends of boomkin
• Bronze thru-bulwark hawse pipes port and starboard at aft quarters
• Bronze and varnished teak boom gallows
• Bronze pad eyes for mainsheet blocks mounted on taff rail
• Dorade vent for aft lazarette
• Molded FRP main cabin with white gelcoat sides, back and front, bare teak cabin eyebrow with molded non-skid cabin top
• Bronze circular opening ports in cabin sides port and starboard (3ea / side)
• Varnished teak and glass opening butterfly hatch at forward end of cabin top
• Companionway hatch with varnished teak sliding hatch, drop boards and frame at aft end of main cabin
• Varnished teak handrails port and starboard on cabin top
• Varnished teal dorade boxes with bronze dorade cowls port and starboard outboard of butterfly hatch
• Varnished teak base and stainless steel “Charlie Noble” chimney for galley stove port side cabin top
• Bronze pad eyes with Harken blocks for sheet and halyard leads at forward end of cabin top
• Harken organizers for sheets and halyard leads port and starboard on cabin top
• Rope clutches port and starboard on cabin top
• Bronze Barlow #16 halyard and sheet winches port and starboard of companionway hatch
• Bronze halyard and sheet cleats port and starboard aft on cabin top (2ea / side)

Spars and Rigging

• Double-spreader, masthead-rigged cutter sail rig configuration
• Keel-stepped aluminum mast and boom
• Spar-Tite mast collar
• Mast, boom and spreaders (painted AwlGrip) in faux-wood appearance with solid white coatings at mast head and aft end of boom.
• Welded aluminum mast steps (painted AwlGrip) from deck level to upper staysail stay fitting
• Mast-mounted spinnaker pole track with adjustable car.
• Stainless steel standing rigging (shrouds and stays) with bronze turnbuckle adjusters
• Stainless steel wire with rope tackle running back stays.
• NOTE: Spars (painted AwlGrip) 2017

Sail Trim and Sail Handling Equipment

• Main halyard
• Boom topping lift
• Spinnaker halyard
• Jib halyard
• Staysail halyard
• Pro-Furl roller furling headstay
• Furling line lead aft to cockpit
• Jiffy Reefing
• Bronze Barlow #14 reefing winch on boom
• Bronze Barlow #16 halyard winches (2ea)
• Bronze Barlow #23-26 sheet winches (2ea)
• Masthead Windex

Sails and Canvas

• Mainsail / Sperry Sails (2024)
• Spare Mainsail
• Roller-furling genoa (2016
• Hanked on staysail (Fogh Sails)
• Mainsail cover (1ea)
• Staysail cover (1ea)
• Hatch covers (3ea)
• Tiller cover (1ea)
• Sail bags (4ea)
• NOTE: Mainsail new in 2024
• NOTE: Genoa new in 2016

Electronics and Navigational Equipment

• Plastimo Contest bulkhead-mounted helm compass
• Raymarine GPS chart plotter
• Signet knot meter
• Signet Smart Pak depth sounder
• Space Age Electronics depth sounder
• SMR Sea Lab 7800 VHF radio
• Autohelm 2000 tiller autopilot
• Sony AM-FM / CD stereo and speakers
• Schatz ships clock
• Schatz barometer

Auxiliary Propulsion and Fuel Systems

• Sabb (Norwegian) / Model G / single cylinder /10HP / Freshwater-cooled / inboard diesel
• Sabb ignition panel with gauges for voltage and engine temperature
• Double-lever controls for throttle and transmission control in cockpit
• Reduction Gear: Sabb variable pitch
• Stainless steel propellor shaft
• Sabb bronze 2-blade variable pitch propellor
• Raw water / fresh water / wet exhaust type engine cooling
• Groco raw water filter
• Bronze deck fitting (Fuel)
• 32 Gallon aluminum fuel tank with glass sight gauge
• Parker / Racor primary fuel filter
• Bronze seacocks for all propulsion related thru hull fittings

Electrical Equipment and Systems

• 12-Volt Dc ships electrical system
• Two (2ea) heavy duty 12-Volt batteries
• Separate battery banks for ship’s systems and engine ignition
• Guest rotary style main battery selector switch
• Two (2) circuit panels for operation of ships systems
• Heart Interface Link 10 battery monitor
• Battery charging by engine alternator

Freshwater Plumbing and Sanitation Systems

• Bronze deck fitting (Water)
• 42 Gallon aluminum water tank
• Stainless steel sink basin in galley area
• Bronze Finspray faucet with manually operated hand pump
• Bronze faucet with manually operated foot pump
• Manually operated saltwater faucet
• Bronze deck fitting (Waste)
• Lavac marine toilet
• Waste system plumbed for overboard discharge and / or discharge to holding tank.
• 14.5 Gallon waste tank
• Bronze seacocks for all plumbing and sanitation thru hull fittings
• NOTE: All waste systems hoses, valves and holding tank new in 2024 and never used

Steering Equipment and Systems

• Keel / transom hung rudder with bronze pintals and gudgeons
• Laminated varnished Ash tiller
• Autohelm 2000 tiller autopilot
• NOTE: Rudder new in 2023

Ground Tackle Equipment and Systems

• Bronze anchor roller at bow sprit to starboard
• 35 lb. CQR anchor with all chain rode
• Bronze manually operated windlass

Dewatering Equipment

• Rule electric / automatic bilge pumps with float switches (2ea)

Safety and Required Equipment

• Masthead tri-color / anchor light
• Combination steaming and deck light
• PFD’s / Type II (5ea)
• PFD’s / Type IV (1ea)
• Fire extinguishers (2ea)
• Xintex carbon monoxide detector
• Lifesling
• Oil Placard

Additional Equipment

• Boat hooks (2ea)
• Fenders (3ea) and dock lines
• Dock lines
• Bucket
• Stainless steel boarding / swim ladder
• Plywood pram / tender with oars and oar locks