New builder for Cape Cutter 19

Press Release:

On Monday, 23rd March 2026, Honnor Marine (Classics) Ltd and Cape Yachts (a trading name of CC63 Momentum Ltd) reached agreement for Cape Yachts to acquire the global licence to build and market the Cape Cutter 19. The acquisition includes the Cape Cutter 19 website, boat moulds and all relevant assets and information pertaining to the Cape Cutter 19.

Commenting on the acquisition, Tim Altham of Honnor Marine (Classics) Ltd;

“Monday, 23rd March 2026 was a day of mixed emotions to see the Cape Cutter 19 leave the Honnor Marine family after many years of success with this great design, but April and I realise that for the Cape Cutter 19 to reach its full potential, the brand needs substantial investment to be made available across global markets. We wish Chris and his young talented team continued success with this wonderful boat”. Honnor Marine continues to trade as normal with their revised range of boats.

Chris Symonds of Cape Yachts;

“We would like to thank April & Tim Altham for their stewardship of the Cape Cutter 19 through very challenging times. The Cape Cutter 19 is a truly ground breaking design as the vibrant owners association testifies. We look forward to supporting the global community of Cape Cutter 19 owners and welcoming new members to this wonderful design.

We were very thankful for the support of Dudley Dix, designer of the Cape Cutter 19 throughout the acquisition process and look forward to working alongside Dudley as we develop the global support infrastructure for the owners association and introduce further models within the Cape family of yachts over the coming years”.

Cape Yachts will manufacture the Cape Cutter 19 and expanded range of Cape yachts from the design board of Dudley Dix at its Sheffield facility and will offer national support for existing Cape Cutter 19 owners. Cape Yachts will offer its manufacturing expertise for small batch runs of parts and can produce ‘one-off’ modifications to an owners design. Servicing, repairs and re-fits will be offered. A sister company within the group is a Boatshed broker and will offer special brokerage rates for Cape Cutter owners accessing the global brokerage network.

Cape Yachts can be contacted via www.capeyachts.co.uk or email crew@capeyachts.co.uk

History

The Cape Cutter 19 was developed by Nick & Lyndsay Voorhoeve. Their mission was to provide an outstanding classic yacht for sailing pleasure. Their love of traditional boats developed in the Caribbean where they purchased and renovated a Dudley Dix designed Shearwater excursion schooner for day sailing. Impressed by her good looks and sailing ability, Nick and Lyndsay contacted Dudley on their return to South Africa and commissioned him to design the Cape Cutter 19.

Originally to be called the “Inspiration 19” it was launched as the Cape Cutter 19 to reflect its origins, Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope.

The first 55 boats were built in South Africa by Cape Yachts, but due to currency fluctuations at the time between the South African Rand and the UK £, Nick sold the rights of GRP and wooden construction, including all the tooling to Honnor Marine Ltd . Since then the manufacturing rights and all tooling have been acquired by Cape Yachts UK based in Sheffield.