Compass Catboat question:

[rbgarr]

Has anyone sailed one of these http://www.marinerestoration.com/classiccat.html and have a sense of how they compare to Beetle cats?

I had a Beetle when I was a kid but would be more interested in sitting on a cockpit bench now.

[bamamick]

I will sell you my Beetle for a very good price and you can modify it with benches. You would come out waaayyy ahead in the deal, I promise. And you would have a Beetle.

Mickey Lake

[sharpie]

The catboat association probably has some information for you on this boat. Also, if you have a copy of Stan Greyson's "Cape Cod Catboats", I think he reviews small boats like this in the back of that book.

www.catboats.org is the catboat association web.

also, www.trailersailor.com would have some folks who have sailed one of these.

[Tom Galyen]

I would double the advise that Sharpie gave. Both sites are the "cats pajamas" when it comes to cat boat info. I own a Sun Cat cat boat and spend a lot of time on the Trailer Sailor catboat forum. I'm pretty sure you'll find an owner or two who will be happy to give you any info you need.

By the way "CAT BOATS RULE!!!!"

Even though mine is more of an interpretation than an actual catboat it still is a great little boat and I have a ton of fun with it. Two halyards one sheet, it doesn't get much simpler than that. As far as challenging your skills goes, I have found that the old saying is true. "A cat boat is a very easy boat to sail, but difficult to sail well." This skill, of course, comes with practice. I've sailed Merry Joy since 2004 and have found myself getting better at it all the time.

Hope to see you on the Trailer Sailor catboat forum soon,

Tom G. (Seaweed)

[Stu Fyfe]

Suzanne at Marine Restorations does fine work.

[JimD]

http://www.marinerestoration.com/images/classic2.jpg

http://www.marinerestoration.com/images/classic5.jpg

http://www.marinerestoration.com/images/classic3.jpg

[Pete Dorr]

I sailed my neighbors Classic Cat a few times last summer. But never in 15kt+ winds.

I sailed Beetles for many summers as kids and one summer about 4 years ago.

Thoughts:

The seats make sailing much more comfortable.

I like that the coaming is squared off in the back so in light wind you can sit with your back to the transom while the kids play on deck and hang off the front.

The boat sounds different when hitting waves.

I think the Beetle sheer is a bit nicer.

There is enough wood on the Compass to make it look pretty good. If I owned one I'd probably put a wood floor in that could be pulled up easily for cleaning. Same for seats. The teak seats installed are ok but I think I would do it differently.

If you are simply looking for a 14' catboat the folks at Howard Boats have a new design going that I have not yet seen in person.

I would not add seats to a Beetle. I just don't think you could stuff them in and keep the balance right. Especially in high winds where you need to be hanging your butt off the rail.

Pete

[rbgarr]

Thanks, Pete-

What you say makes sense.

[rbgarr]

If anyone is interested in a fiberglass Compass Cat kit with almost all the parts, drop me an e-mail.