Introducing Tamarisk - 36' Cape George Cutter

Tamarisk is a 36’ Cape George Cutter with a rare center cockpit configuration. Owners Phil and Kae Hutchison bought hull #4 in 1973 and spent 5 ½ years finishing her, launching her in summer 1979. The owner’s two children (7 and 2 at time of launch) grew up sailing on the boat, and she has carried the family to many adventures over the past 35 years, cruising the northwest waters in Washington and British Columbia, from Olympia to Port Hardy, and around Vancouver Island. Like all Cape George boats, she has a very sturdily built hull, and handles beautifully in airs from light to heavy. Her owners have decided to move to power to extend their cruising life and provide more capacity for grandchildren, so are looking for a good home for their beloved boat. She is a cozy and comfortable craft that will keep you safe on your journeys, whether you are a beginning or experienced sailor. Tamarisk is currently dry-stored in Anacortes, WA. Owners Kae and Phil live in Seattle. Contact us at 209 276-8733 or 206 890-5144, or by email at kaehutchison@comcast.net.

Please browse through the pictures and specifications below. There are 14 posts in all. Engine information is in post #12 and also #14, Specifications. If you find yourself at the end of a page before you have seen all the posts, click on "Older Posts" at the bottom of the page to continue. The last post is "Specifications."

Boat Layout

The chain locker forward is followed by a 6’2” V-berth, with open shelf storage above and below each berth. Next aft to starboard is the head, with storage shelves behind; to port the hanging locker with a shelf on top.

Next aft is the main cabin. To starboard is a small shelf & drawer storage area followed by a settee with table that makes into a double berth, with book storage behind. On the aft starboard bulkhead is access to the wet hanging locker, which is located to starboard in the engine room. To port in the main cabin is first the navigation station chart table with a large drawer, chart storage and shelving below, along with a small shelf and radar above. Aft of the nav station is the U-shaped galley, with center-mounted diesel Dickenson stove forward, double SS sinks aft. On the side is generous counter space with under-counter storage bins in each corner, storage bins behind, together with a drawer and two storage bins under the counter mid-section. Custom-built storage for tableware is above the sinks and for silverware is to the left of the sinks.

Aft and up a 5-step ladder is the center cockpit, with U-shaped seating around the steering pedestal and storage lockers underneath the seating. Below the cockpit is the engine room, providing access to all parts of the engine. The cockpit has a removable floor to facilitate engine replacement. Batteries are located in the engine room, along with both fuel tanks.

Aft of the cockpit is a separate cabin with a double berth to port and storage to starboard. Aft of the aft cabin is a storage lazarette that also provides access to the steering ram.

Cockpit

Tamarisk is a rare Cape George with a center cockpit. It is completely enclosed, with a hard dodger top forward and aft, and a removable center top section of canvas. We love our cockpit--it keeps us dry in all weather. There is u-shaped seating around the steering pedestal, with storage lockers beneath the seats. The steering wheel can be removed when the boat is stationary, providing easier movement through the cockpit. The first picture shows the cockpit canvas from outside the boat. The second picture looks forward to the main cabin hatch. The third picture looks aft to the aft cabin entry.

Decks

Tamarisk has nice, wide side decks, making it easy to walk around the boat for docking and access to the forward deck. Her sturdy lifelines keep you safe as you move around the boat. She also has a generous aft deck, behind the aft cabin. As you can see in the picture, this is where we have carried our two Engel Fridge/Freezers, using one as a refrigerator and one as a freezer. One of these units will remain with the boat.

Main Cabin - Starboard

As you descend the ladder from the cockpit into the main cabin, to your right is the settee and table. The table can be lowered to make the settee into a double berth. At the forward end of the settee are a shelf, drawer and several storage bins, and there is storage underneath the settee as well. Throughout the boat, storage bins are ventilated for good air circulation. The second picture looks aft; on the bulkhead to the left of the ladder you can see the small door that provides access to the wet locker. The last picture looks forward and shows the storage bins, and the shelf with drawer and storage bin underneath.

Main Cabin - Port Side: Navigation Station

The navigation station is located forward of the galley on the port side, with a large surface to lay out charts, and a shallow storage drawer underneath. Beneath the chart table is a storage shelf for charts, along with two storage shelvess for books and equipment. The radar is mounted on the cabin side above the chart table. Pictures show the chart table with shelving underneath. The second picture shows the radar mounted above the chart table.

Main Cabin - Port Side: Galley

On the port side of the main cabin, the U-shaped galley is located immediately to your left as you enter the cabin from the cockpit. Both owners like to cook, so this one-person galley was designed to be efficient and handy, with ample counter space and storage. Deep double sinks are very useful in a seaway. A cutting board fits into either side of the sink to expand counter space. A Dickenson stove heats the cabin in cool weather and provides an oven. Much of the time we cook with a portable two-burner propane stove that fits on top of the Dickenson. Handy dish storage is above the sinks.

Head & Hanging Locker

Between the main cabin and the forward cabin are the head to starboard and opposite it the hanging locker. Behind the head are shelves for storage. There are step-through portals between cabins with curtains to provide privacy. Pictures show the head with shelves, the hanging locker (curtains are visible on either side of the locker), and the shelf above the hanging locker, where the VHF radio is located, along with hats and other gear.

Forward Cabin

Comfortable V-berths up forward are perfect for your guests, with storage bins both above and below the berths.

Aft Cabin

We created our cozy aft cabin as a space separate from children (ours were 7 and 1 1/2 when we launched our boat), and now from guests. It has a double berth to port, with storage bins for clothing to starboard. Pictured here is a view of the berth looking aft through the hatch, and another view from inside the cabin looking forward towards the top of the berth. The third picture shows the storage bins, clothing on the left and books on the right.

Deck Gear & Sails

Tamarisk is cutter-rigged. She sails with a mainsail, furling genoa, and a staysail. She ghosts beautifully in light air, amazing for a boat of her weight. For cruising, we sail her mostly with the genoa on broad or beam reaches, and use the staysail for heavy weather. With the right wind, even the mainsail goes up.

She also has an electric windlass, with manual backup, along with plenty of SS Barient winches to set her sails (see specifications). She has 3/8" SS lifelines all around.

Engine & Engine Room

Tamarisk's engine is a fresh-water cooled Perkins 4108 engine, installed in 1996 (engine hours 2190). It has been well maintained by the owner, with a new head installed in 2010. At a cruising speed of 5 1/2 knots, Tamarisk burns approximately .7 gal/hr., making her very economical to motor in. With a 40 gallon fuel tank, she has a cruising range of over 50 miles. We supplement the built-in fuel tank with two 5 gallon fuel cans.

The engine room is located underneath the cockpit. Its placement allows good access to all parts of the engine. Access is through a door in the main cabin, located under the ladder. The cockpit floor can be removed if the engine needs to be replaced. In addition to the engine, the starboard side of the engine room holds a wet locker, reached through a door in the main cabin, and the main fuel tank. On the port side are the batteries, the 10 gallon fuel tank for the Dickenson stove and storage for extra lines, fenders and other large gear.

Below is the owner working in the engine room. Because Tamarisk has been used regularly, she has well-maintained mechanical and electrical systems along with her canvas, exterior fittings and interiors.

Keel and Rudder

Tamarisk is a full keel boat with a 5 1/2' draft. Her bottom was taken down to gel coat and barrier coated in 2009. For the last several years she has been dry-stored over the winter, and sailed for two months each summer. This picture shows Tamarisk bow-on in her dry storage yard.

This shows her being moved from the water to dry storage, with a view of her stern and rudder.

Tamarisk Specifications

General LOA 36’ 0” + 6’ bowsprit. LWL 31’ 0”. Beam 10’ 6”. Draft 5’6”. Height 54’. Displacement 28,000 lbs. Headroom 6’ under main cabin beams. Designer: Cecil M. Lange. Builder: Hull – Cecil Lange (Hull #4, finished 1973); Remainder – Owner finished with professional assistance. Launched: 1979. Fuel: 40 G aluminum tank (for main motor); 10 G aluminum tank (for diesel stove). Water: 90 G in 3 bladder tanks. Holding tank: 6 G plastic tank.

Engine/Mechanical Engine: Perkins 4108, 40 hp continuous duty, fresh-water cooled; new head 2010. Engine hours: 2190 (Sept. 2013). Steering: Wagner hydraulic; center cockpit pedestal with wheel; emergency tiller. Drive: 1 ¼” SS shaft. Prop: 18 x 14 bronze fixed 3-blade. Fuel: Diesel; consumes approx. 0.7 G/hr at 5.7 knots cruising speed. Max speed: 7 knots. Alternator: Balmar alternator and smart charger. Spares: Starter motor. Head: Manual Raritan Marine Head.

Electrical/Electronics Batteries: 4 Trojan 240 amp 6 volt, series wired. Solar: 2 40-watt Kyocera solar panels; 3 30 watt Harris solar panel; solar controller. VHF: Icom 502. Radar: JRC 1500. Chart Plotter: Garmin 182C color chart plotter. Compass: Plastimo. Depth Sounder: SMR Bottom Trak Super Sounder. Stereo: Alpine CD, AM/FM. Clock: Seth Thomas Quartz Marine Clock. Bilge Pumps: Electric (1); Manual (1). Lights: Navigation. Controller: DC Panel with 4 DC accessory sockets.

Deck Gear Anchors: 35 lb. Galvanized Delta Plow on 50’ BBB chain linked to 400’ 5/8” 3-strand nylon rode; 22 lb. genuine galvanized Bruce on 30’ chain and 300’ ½” 3-strand nylon rode. Windlass: Lofrans Tigres electric w. manual backup. Wash Pump: Flowjet Wash-Down Pump w. deck fitting for hose.

Sails/Rigging Mainsail: Hood Slab Reefing w. 2 sets of reefing points. Headsail: 110% furling genoa; Harkin Furler, new 2013. Staysail: Buchan. Mast: Keel-stepped aluminum mast. Rigging: 5/16” SS rigging; Re-rigged 2004. Winches: 2 SS Barient #22 winches, 2 speed, on cabin top; 2 SS Barient #26 cockpit winches; 1 SS Barient #27 self-tailing mainsheet winch; 1 SS Barient #16 mast winch.

Accommodations: • 6’1” V berths in forward cabin. • 6’4” Double berth in aft cabin. • Main cabin settee with table can convert to double berth. • Nav station in main cabin, with pull-down chart storage in cockpit. • Galley has double SS sinks w. manual pump; Dickenson Pacific diesel stove and portable 2-burner propane stove. • Portable 45-quart dual voltage Engel Fridge/Freezer (No built-in refrigeration). • Rare center cockpit, completely enclosed; hard dodger tops forward and aft with removable canvas center top; new canvas forward half 2013; rear half replaced approx. 2009. • 3 brass kerosene lanterns (2 in main cabin; 1 in aft cabin).

Construction: Hull: Sturdy fiberglass w. full keel (CG Hull #4); gel coat finish; bottom taken down to gel coat & barrier coated in 2010. Deck: Fiberglass over 2 layers 3/8” Bruynzeel mahogany ply + ½” marine ply. Cabin top: Fiberglass over 2 layers 3/8” Bruynzeel ply; supported by 1 ½” x 3” laminated deck beams on 12” centers. Cabin sides: Fiberglass over 2 layers 3/8” marine ply; lined w. 5/8” tongue & groove cedar epoxyed to plywood. Bulkheads: 2 sheets ¾” exterior ply screwed and epoxyed together. Interior: Hull lined w. ¾” closed cell foam from waterline to deck; All cabins and bulkheads finished with 5/8” x 3 ¼” tongue & groove cedar.