History Catboat

the breck marshall, 20-foot (6.1 m) crosby catboat design open public use @ mystic seaport

descended small boats carried 18th century british merchant ships in new world, around turn of 20th century, catboats adapted racing, , long booms , gaffs, bowsprits , large jibs fitted capture wind possible. decline of racing , advent of small, efficient gasoline engines eliminated need large sailplans, , catboats today used pleasure craft day sailing , cruising, , have virtues of roominess, stability , simple handling, though many catboats have poorer upwind performance well-designed sloop-rigged craft.

one of well-known catboats 12-foot (3.7 m) beetle cat daysailer. fleets of these one-design boats found in harbors across new england, competing in races. in 1960s, breck marshall based 18-foot (5.5 m) fiberglass sanderling upon existing, wooden design. sanderling has since become popular boat, more 700 built, , has helped rekindle interest in catboat. honor marshall , contribution type, catboat association funded construction of breck marshall, 20-foot (6.1 m) catboat built , berthed @ mystic seaport.