Clive M. Dent

Clive M. Dent (1940–2018) was an American naval architect and the in-house designer for Cape Dory Yachts from 1975 until the company’s closure in 1991, best known for evolving Carl Alberg’s traditional full-keel designs into more modern, performance-oriented cruisers while preserving the brand’s reputation for seaworthiness and craftsmanship. After studying naval architecture at the University of Michigan and serving in the U.S. Navy, Dent joined Cape Dory in East Taunton, Massachusetts, initially refining Alberg’s classic lines before taking full design responsibility with models like the Cape Dory 30 Mk II (1986), 33, 36, and the innovative Intrepid 9-Meter. His signature approach blended moderate displacement, long waterlines, efficient cutter or sloop rigs, and practical interiors—optimizing stability, upwind ability, and livability without sacrificing the bulletproof fiberglass construction and teak-laden aesthetics that defined the brand. Dent’s boats, including the Cape Dory 28 and 330, remain highly regarded on the used market for blue water capability and timeless appeal, cementing his legacy as a bridge between traditional and contemporary American yacht design.