George Harding Cuthbertson Famous sail boat designer and builder C&C Yachts
George Harding Cuthbertson: Canada’s Yacht Design Icon
On my walk through Park Lawn Cemetery in Toronto, just behind the grave of Maple Leafs founder Conn Smythe, I discovered the resting place of a true maritime visionary: George Harding Cuthbertson, cofounder of the legendary yacht-design firm Cuthbertson & Cassian (C&C Yachts).
A Sailor’s Legacy Anchored in Design
Graduating from the University of Toronto in 1950 with a mechanical engineering degree, George quickly made his mark in naval design—most notably through his instrumental role in selecting and optimizing
In 1961, he teamed up with George Cassian—his design partner and the “second C” in C&C—forming Cuthbertson & Cassian Ltd. Their breakthrough came in 1966 with Red Jacket, North America’s first fully cored-hull fiberglass offshore racer, which won its division in 1967’s Southern Ocean Racing Circuit and was the overall winner in 1968.
From Design Studio to Global Yachting Powerhouse
Buoyed by competition success, Cuthbertson and Cassian joined forces with three builders in 1969 to form C&C Yachts. As chief designer—and later president—they oversaw production at facilities in Niagara-on-the-Lake and a custom shop in Oakville, laying the groundwork for a North American sailing empire.
George Cuthbertson died in Toronto on October 5, 2017. He was 88.
1929-1917
