1973 C&C 66 Classic Cruiser / Racer

PHANTOM is an ocean sloop built by the Canadian shipyard Cuthbertson & Cassian in 1973.

Established in 1969 by two designers, George Cuthbertson and George Cassian, the yard was distinguished by a series of design and construction techniques, many of which were innovative at the time of the company’s formation. 

PHANTOM was built with the sandwich technique - a thickness of balsa between two layers of fiberglass – a technique that allows the builder to decrease the weight and increase the rigidity of the construction. Some previous examples, such as HELISARA (by Herbert Von Karajan) and GRAMPUS (by Angelo Rizzoli), were already famous for good results using the same technique. 

PHANTOM represents the first example of a custom made product from Cuthbertson & Cassian.  Production had previously stopped at 61 feet, so measuring in at 66 feet, PHANTOM’s length was considered unusual at the time of her build.  

She is a relatively bespoke design, based on her first owner’s requirements. She had some bold design choices: twin wheels, rails for adjusting forestay, four winches for simultaneous trimming of genoa and spinnaker, masthead rig with very high aspect sail plan and shaft position moved far forward.

The yacht was purchased in  In the 80's the boat participated in the races on the East Coast, Miami, Florida and the Caribbean, gaining top positions in the '84 editions, '85 and '86 of Key West race week.

PHANTOM was then bought by French ship owners in the '90s in the Mediterranean and based in St. Tropez.  Her current owner bought her in 1996 and, between 2004 and 2006, the Cantiere del Carlo shipyard of Viareggio carried out the complete restoration of her interior and deck, in order to make her the most liveable boat for cruising and easier to sail with a small crew.  She has a much cleaner deck layout and the primary winches are now powered making manoeuvring much simpler.  

PHANTOM takes part in Mediterranean Regattas, racing on the water with her contemporary Maxis, BENBOW, HelISARA and GRAMPUS.  She has taken part in ten races on the Upper Tyrrhenian Sea and some Viareggio-Bastia-Livorno regattas, where she is frequently recognised for great performance and managing to stand up to the most modern yachts she competes against.

Hull, Deck & Superstructure Construction:

• GRP hull – balsa sandwich construction.

Engine & Gearboxes:

• 1 x Volvo D3 130hp turbo (2006).  900hrs.

Maintenance & Performance:

• PHANTOM is routinely maintained and updated where relevant.

Voltage Systems:

• 12v system.

Battery Banks:

• 600amp battery bank.

Battery Chargers:

• Yes.

Alternators:

• Yes.

Generator:

• 6.5kW generator installed.

Shore Power:

• Yes.

Fresh Water & Water Heating System:

• Pump and water heater installed.

Bilge Pumps:

• 2 x Bilge pumps installed.

Fuel:

• Total capacity of 600 litres.

Fresh water:

• Total capacity of 1,000 litres.

Grey/Blackwater holding tanks:

• Yes.

• Windstation (2008).
• VHF.

Heads/Showers:

• 2 x WCs.

Summary of Accommodation:

• Central dinette.
• 3 x Double cabins.
• Galley.
• 2 x WCs.
• 1 x Independent shower. 
• Independent en suite cabin for Skipper.

Rig:

• Rod Navtech (2008).

Winches:

• Barient and Lewmar.

Sails (Cruising):

• Mainsail.
• Jib.
• 2 x Gennakers.

Sails (Racing) (2010):

• Mainsail
• Jib
• 2 x Gennakers.