constants across boats sizes

The formula for home built boats from plans is pretty sad. Out of 100 plans sold for a 30' yacht, maybe 10% will have major materials purchased for the build and 1% to 3% actual have frames or molds erected on a strong back. Of these 1 in 5 will receive a registration number and sail away.

Small craft (boats under 30') have a higher percentage of builds started, but still have an alarming amount of non-completed projects. The smaller the boat, the easier it is to meet goals and stumble through to a launch day.

Don't limit yourself to a cat boat. The jib is a mighty tool, learn to employ it.

 

I had heard some stats like that, PAR not only about boats but kit vehicals in general. Airplanes and kit cars as well.
Part of the reason I want to stay in a size that would fit in my garage. 24 feet. so an 18 or 20 ft boat would not cause any problems with the neighbors if there is no activity on it for awhile.

correct me if I am wrong but can't a catboat be rigged with a bowsprit and jib? or does it upset the whole architecture?

 

You just missed a fine little boat in the Typhoon. There is an AMF 21 on ebay now for little money bid so far.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/21-f...em35a5ac330dQQitemZ230412792589QQptZSailboats

Not as classic as the Typhoon but would be a good boat for the lakes and capable in bigger water, as is the Typhoon. I'm not a shill for ebay but it can be a good way to find an inexpensive route to the water.

Adding a sprit and jib to a catboat may not be as simple as it sounds. If the boat is well balanced as a cat, adding a sail out forward will give it lee helm. Not a good thing and a definite no-no for a beginner to deal with. Catboats have their admirers but I prefer more than one sail to allow more balancing ability and smaller sail areas to deal with. Small cats, in particular, can be more of a problem if you need to go to the mast to deal with a sail malfunction issue. Yes, it will happen. Not so bad when you are young and agile.

 

I'd have to agree with Tom on his observations (there's a surprise). It's a lot easier and much faster to get on the water in a used boat. I've had dozens of them over the years, fixed, sold, restored, etc. It's a cheap way to find out what you like and don't like.

Cat boats are cute, but limited to a degree. If it's a gaffer, which most are, they can be especially difficult for a novice if the wind picks up. The jib offers a few options and they tend to be considerably less "hard mouthed" in a blow.

In the current economic market, small boats are a dime a dozen. I have people literally tripping over themselves to bring me their boats for a fraction of what they're worth in better times. If I was made of money I'd have a small inventory of the most desirable collection imaginable.

Look around. Trust me, it beats the hell out of fairing up your newly created masterpiece.

 

Tom,

I know that little Typhoon sure looked sweet all around and was within a few hours drive for me. and easily tranported later should I move to Puget Sound near my daughter as I hope to someday.
I am not as young or agile as I once was but I can climb a ladder pretty well and roofed my own house last summer.

I admit it's the classic look that draws me to Catboats, but I also see that they were created by old salt fishermen who could probably sail a bathtub to Iceland with scarcly a shiver. that's not me. and you and PAR's input is seriously noted.

There was a story I read about two ladies who did the inside passage in two 14 ft daysailers carrying backpacks took all summer from Seattle to Ketchikan (I think). a little more ambitious than me. But even a sail to one of the lake islands here for a night of peace and quiet and a crackling fire would be a dream for me.
I just don't want to have to get out and pitch a tent and find in the morning that a grizzly has taken off with my boat. LOL

Dang that Typhoon was nice. I have been watching the feedback to see how the buyer likes it but nothing has been posted so far.

 

"Hard mouthed" is PAR talk for "it will pull your arm out of its socket" in a blow. Inherently unbalanced because of the very wide beam and center of effort in the sail that rapidly moves forward and outboard when let out in a blow. A condition not helped by the barn door rudder traditional one are fitted with. Larger catboats are actually easier to handle, especially it they are given nice keels, deeper bodies and deeper balanced rudders like the Nonsuch series has.

We all develop our biases based on individual experience over the years. Mine are dories, sharpies and catboats. Unfortunately for me and my biases, many newbies and some oldies, seem to really like those types. Some that carry those monikers have been modified so much that the original characteristics are taken out of them. Of course, two of my favorite small boats are the Laser and Sunfish, which are catboats. Go figure

 

Tom,

I was told early by Ted Brewer, "Catboats are the easiest to sail, but the hardest to sail well." I am finding out what he meant by that.

among the list of attributes of a catboat. beauty, simplicity, agility etc, perhaps I should add "finicky"

Sailing, being what it is a dreamy looking pastime that attracts us newbies to the asthetics first. Catboats are just so beautiful and classic looking. The boat often seen in a Thomas Kinkade painting. It is all too easy to forget that that often translates into difficulty.

I live in an area where log homes are numerous and many folks build them not recognizing that there were reasons why that design was mostly phased out. (ie: have fun adding a new electrical circuit.) and I see the same thing applying to classic boats of all designs.

I am really sorry I missed that Cape Dory Typhoon on ebay as it was probably the perfect boat for me, and pretty too, but there will be others like it and it is clear to me that my first steps should be to get involved with a club, learn, rent boats, read all I can, and listen to the veteran sailors like yourself. Humility goes a long way in learning any art.

 

"Any idiot can put a sail up, it takes a sailor to know when to take one down."
Unknown author.

K9

 

Point taken, Kay That could apply that to many things. That painting "Sea of Tranquility" would look significantly different given a "Sea of Rage" lol

 

I didnt mean it as an insult. Only as an aside to the above Ted Brewer quote, in knowing how to sail a catboat.

I have sailed Gaffers, Latines and Even squares (Elissa) but nothing has kicked my butt more then a catboat gaff rigged.

K9

 

LOL No insult taken, K9 I think that is a very wise statement by that unknown author. Wish I had said that.

 

Wussies the bunch of 'ya . . . ever wonder why they have a 6' tiller on a 15' catboat?

 

LOL. I know why. Its to beat me about the waist while the boom beats me about the head.

K9

 

I figured it was so ya could hold the tiller while reaching inside the cabin for a beer.

 

Wrong The long tiller is to take your legs out from under you when you stand up to tighten the outhaul and leave you hanging on the boom while your butt drags in the water, if you're lucky.

Ted Brewer is a favorite designer and a nice guy. He has several boats that I could lust for. Of course, being a mere boat designer, he can't afford them either