George H. Cuthbertson Archives

Boat type

C&C 40 Custom

Owner or others associated with

Fisher, Gordon N. Commodore, 

Merron, Ken , 

Osler, David , 

Connolly, Perry R. , 

Bentley, Chuck , 

Alyea, Archer, 

Duncan, Donald

Build at

Custom Shop

Sail Number

4018

KC4141

 Other Places

Royal Canadian Yacht Club ( RCYC 

DWG #

69-2

Notes

I have recently purchased Manitou and have brought her to the east coast for a refresh over the winter, hope to have her racing in the North Sea next year. She has a fabulous history on the Great Lakes and US east coast. She is a beautiful 54 year old lady! 

Donald Duncan 

IOR Landfill Facebook Group Nov 2024 

MANITOU 

1969 In over 30 years, Canada's Cup had been contested only once (1954) and interest in new construction in the 8-Metre class was minimal. Therefore the RCYC invited challenges in yachts rating 37 ft. according to the Cruising Club of America Rule (CCA) and promptly found themselves facing a challenge from Cleveland Yacht Club, the series to take place in September 1969. From four contenders, the Americans selected Niagara, designed by Sparkman & Stephens, to be their challenger. Three Canadian contenders were all designed by Cuthbertson and Cassian and built by Bruckman, a combination which later that year joined with others to form C&C Yachts Ltd. 

The three new racers were Manitou which was a larger development of Red Jacket, Bagatelle, a modified Redline 41 with a very large sail plan, and True North, narrow, wet and purposeful, with an outboard rudder. A hard-fought trial series brought each to perfection. Little Bagatelle had her moments on the light air days, True North won the reaching legs with ease, but Manitou, like Red Jacket before her, showed all round ability and excelled to windward regardless of the weather. The trial races were all close and hard fought but selection of Manitou to defend became clear. 

The variety of the three designs had given the designers unequalled opportunity, a lesson which was forgotten in future years. The strength of their rivals meant that Perry Connolly, Gordon Fisher, and David Osler met the U.S. challenger with an exceptionally prepared yacht and crew. So Niagara found out. In moderate air, Manitou won the start and stretched throughout the first race to win by over 8 minutes. In a fresh breeze, Manitou's second race margin was almost three minutes. With no tomorrow if she didn't win the long distance race, Niagara made a good fight of it, and clung to the lead for over half of the 208-mile course, but relentlessly, Manitou closed the gap, rounded the fourth mark 14 seconds to the good and was gone, winning the race by 14 minutes and the series 4 to 0. Detroit sailors had taken notice and bought Manitou that fall but the death of her new owner resulted in resale to Ralph Ryder of Florida who raced her with success in the SORC in 1970. 

By 1974, she was back in RCYC – renamed Magistri and owned by C.J. (Chuck) Bently. Modified to rate 32.0 under IOR Rule, she contested the Canada's Cup trials in 1975. Sold again, her original name of Manitou was restored. Two years later, her owner was transferred to England so he sailed her to her new home. With this Atlantic crossing, Manitou passed from RCYC view. 

https://pbase.com/nonsuch/image/99470988 

Manitou is a 1969, 40ft C&C with an incredible history! 

Manitou was the winner of the Canada;s cup in 1969 Manitou is a 1969, 40ft C&C with an incredible history! Manitou was the winner of the Canada;s cup in 1969 In 1969 the Royal Canadian Yacht Club accepted a challenge from the Cleveland Yachting Club for the Canada Cup. The RCYC produced three potential defenders all designed by Cuthbertson and Cassian and built by Erich Bruckmann which were BAGATELLE, TRUE NORTH and MANITOU. 

MANITOU won the defender trials and went on to decisively defeat the US challenger NIAGARA by a margin of 4-0. 

Vessel Specifications 

Hull Type: Fin w/spade rudder 

Rigging Type: Masthead Sloop 

LOA: 40 ft / 12.19 m 

LWL: 28.70 ft / 8.75 m 

Beam: 11 ft 11 in / 3.63 m 

S.A. (reported): 756.00 ft2 / 70.23 m2 

Draft (max): 7.00 ft / 2.13 m 

Displacement: 18,790 lb / 8,523 kg 

Ballast: 7,910 lb / 3,588 kg 

Ballast Type: Lead S.A./Disp.: 17.18 

Bal./Disp.: 42.10 

Disp./Len.: 354.84 

Construction: GRP 

First Built: 1969 Builder: Belleville Marine Yards (C&C Yachts) ( Incorrect )

Designer: C&C Yachts 

Propulsion Engine 

Type: Inboard Engine Model:FORD XLD 

Fuel Type: Diesel Power45 hp 

Auxiliary Power/Tanks Fuel: 26 gals / 98 L

Sailboat Calculations S.A./Disp.: 17.18 

Bal./Disp.: 42.10 

Disp./Len.: 354.84 

Comfort Ratio: 34.14 

Capsize Screening Formula: 1.77 

S#: 1.38 

Rig and Sail Particulars I: 49.92 ft / 15.22 m J: 16.30 ft / 4.97 m P: 43.50 ft / 13.26 m E: 16.00 ft / 4.88 m S.A. Fore: 406.85 ft2 / 37.80 m2 S.A. Main: 348.00 ft2 / 32.33 m2 S.A. Total (100% Fore + Main Triangles) 754.85 ft2 / 70.13 m2 

S.A./Disp. (calc.): 17.15 Est. 

Forestay Len.: 52.51 ft / 16.01 m 

Accommodations 

Water: 100 gals / 379 L 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/guyfogwill/51247881179/in/photostream/

Designer / Draughtsman

Cuthbertson and Cassian Limited

Builder

C&C Yachts Limited,

Bruckmann Manufacturing Ltd.

Year Launched

1969

Events

Canada’s Cup 1969, 

Canada’s Cup 1975, 

Southern Ocean Racing Conference 1970

Web Links

https://rcyc.ca/ABOUT-US/History-of-RCYC/RCYCModels/rcycmodels_p10.aspx

For more images and information view in Airtable