Key details
- Current boat name
- Black Cap
- Boat class
- 7573
- Function
- Sports and Leisure
- Type
Dimensions and specifications
- Length (m / ft)
- 5.53 / 18ft 2in
- Beam (m / ft)
- 1.77 / 5ft 10in
- Leeward
- Centreboard
- Masts
- 1 Wood
- Rig type
- Gunter Sloop
- Propulsion
- Sail
Design and build
- Designer
- Linton Hope
- Date of build
- 1907
- Place of build
- Hampton Wick
Current status
- Present use
- Museum/NMMC
History
BLACK CAP was built for Mr H C Tower for racing on the Upper Thames and was quite a departure from the previous Thames Half-Rater designs. Built of mahogany carvel planking, copper fastened on spruce frames she was more comfortable and less tiring to sail than the more extreme racing boats in her class and as such appealed to those sailors described as 'more than average years'. The popularity of the class was such that it spread to India and Burma. BLACK CAP was later restored by Mr Peter Waine who presented her to NMM in 1983.
Designed by Linton Hope in 1906 a rare example of an early Thames Half Rater. May 2013 GH