Bolger Cruising Catboat?

[ken_J_@hotmail.com]

Does anyone know if Mr. Bolger ever designed a cruising catboat in a 20' to 24' range? I'm just looking for my next project for when I finish my Bobcat. I like the idea of the Long Micro, but I can't get past the looks of it. I would love to see a cruising cat in the stitch and glue format.

[JimD]

Sam Devlin converted Ted Brewer's 22er to stitch and glue although I don't personally see the point.

[David G]

Chebacco?

[ken_J_@hotmail.com]

I do like Ted Brewer's design and i'm considering it. The Chebacco doesn't quite have the stability that i'm looking for. I'll be building and sailing in the U.S. Virgin Islands and i'll be wanting something to handle the trade winds there.

[Geoff C]

There's the Leeboard Catboat in Boats with an Open Mind, ch. 67. It's strip planked, not S & G, but able to handle blue water sailing.

[rbgarr]

He designed some Friendship sloop types in that size range, which are almost keel catboats with jibs.

[Jon Etheredge]

He designed some Friendship sloop types in that size range, which are almost keel catboats with jibs.

Shouldn't there be some smileys or something after that comment ;)

[JimD]

Charles Wittholz 20 foot plywood Madam Tirza would be another one for some fairly serious seaworthiness. 9.5' beam, a thousand pounds of ballast. Also drawn up with an alternate noank (sloop) rig if you want a little more versatile sail plan.

http://www.woodenboatstore.com/images/400072.JPG

http://www.woodenboatstore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=400%2D072

[Daniel Noyes]

Hi Ken
Take a look at "Mouser" 18' cat from early in Phill Bolgers career, (it's in one of his books) real nice hard chine cat, apparently very stiff and fast sailer, as the type go. I wouldn't call it a cruising cat but if memory serves it had a cabin for overnighting.

Dan
http://dansdories.googlepages.com

[Steve Paskey]

"Mouser" is a 16-foot v-bottomed catboat, shown in Bolger's "Small Boats." The book has reduced versions of the full plans, with a building key. The hull shape is rather unusual and -- dare I say it? -- ungainly. As Bolger put it: "Nobody I know of has accused her of being a pretty boat, but she is apparently a rather good one." She's definitely not a "cruiser," unless you want to sleep on the cockpit sole under a tent.

[JimD]

Not traditional catboat lines but maybe take a look at Jay Benford's Gunkholers. Here's the 19er:

http://www.benford.us/mint/pepper/orderedlist/downloads/download.php?file=http%3A//www.benford.us/cruisingsail/images/19-gunkholer-sail-plan.jpg

http://www.benford.us/mint/pepper/orderedlist/downloads/download.php?file=http%3A//www.benford.us/cruisingsail/images/19-gunkholer-arrangement.jpg

And the considerably bigger 22er:

http://www.benford.us/mint/pepper/orderedlist/downloads/download.php?file=http%3A//www.benford.us/cruisingsail/images/22-gunkholer-catboat-cat.jpg

http://www.benford.us/mint/pepper/orderedlist/downloads/download.php?file=http%3A//www.benford.us/cruisingsail/images/22-gunkholer-gaff-sloop.jpg

More here: http://www.benford.us/index.html?cruisingsail/

http://www.benford.us/mint/pepper/orderedlist/downloads/download.php?file=http%3A//www.benford.us/cruisingsail/images/miss-becky-galley-port-side.jpg

[rbgarr]

...Mouser... I wondered if Bolger could pull the plans out of closet in the future upon request...

Have I missed something? When he was at the Woodenboat Show did Bolger say he's no longer selling plans or designing?
If not, a fax to him might get a study plan for less than the price of the out-of-print book. (I sold my copy of 'Small Boats' and have been kicking myself ever since :mad:)

He may even be interested in designing a cruising catboat. His take on that could be fun to see!

[Stu Fyfe]

Bolger mentioned that he's busy with a USN project right now, some kind of folding landing craft. It's been keeping him and Suzanne very busy and he's backed up with other requests. A fax to him might get you the plans you are requesting. He's not out of the plans buisness, just very involved in a bigger project at the moment.

[BillyBudd]

Two thoughts:

1. There's a Bolger chat forum on yahoo. Those guys know just about all of Bolger's design and are ever so free with advice.... Give them a try?

2. Write to Bolger. He has always been prompt in answering. I wrote him in July and had a response within 3 weeks. Moreover, I've found him to be thoughtful, courteous, indeed insightful of one's needs... obviously quite helpful.

Lastly, one Chebacco sailed from Cape Cod along the shore and out to Martha's Vineyard. The return voyage was a straight shot to Chatham. Don't know if that is kiddie pool water for you Virgin Islanders, but I was impressed. Bolger would advise.