What about cat boats?

[pagansdad]

Thanks to Kwaltersmi, Tsteele65, Sailingdog, Retclt, Bluewatermd, Wayne25, and Sailorman (did I forget anyone?) for taking the time to send me your suggestions. No one has mentioned any of the catboats out there. What do you think of that type?
The boats mentioned that have shallow draft keels concern me a bit because of the tides here. I can leave a creek with ten feet of water under me and return with only a foot left. I don't worry so much about damage to the bottom because there are no rocks but about getting stuck on an out going tide.
Thanks again. I really appreciate your input.
Charlie and Isa

[Giulietta]

I have sailed all the Cat boats that are in Mystic Seaport in CT.

I sailed all of the ones they rent there. Very nice quiet boats for a good day out.

I like them, but wouldn't be good for my waters.

[JohnRPollard]

I and others posted a number of comments about catboats in a thread begun by a guy from the Carolinas who was looking for a shoal draft boat for his cruising grounds. A quick search should turn up that thread.

Take a look at Arey's Pond, Menger (out of production but good resources on the web), and Marshall.

A visit to Arey's Pond boatyard on Cape Cod is a memorable experience.

[pagansdad]

Thanks for the reply. How do I do a search?

[JohnRPollard]

Somewhere in the middle of the linked thread (below) I suggest to the OP (post #35) that he consider a catboat for his cruising grounds (Pamlico Sound). After which a number of other folks opined about catboats:

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/showth...hlight=catboat

[TejasSailer]

Here's a resouce for Cat Boats with links to several other sites. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catboat

I think I recall but can't find another site with information on lot's of different Cat Boats.

[sailingdog]

Catboats offer a lot of boat in a small package and I like them a lot. They're pretty common up here in New England. You might want to get you hands on Small Craft Advisor magazine which has had a few articles in Catboats.

[pagansdad]

Thanks Sailingdog. You are a great resource. I wonder why cat boats are so popular in the New england area but so seldom seen here in the southeast. Is there something about conditions in these parts that make them less desirable? Seems like wind and water is wind and water where ever you sail.

[Faster]

Hinterhoeller yachts in Ontario built a series of "Catboats" under the Nonsuch name. Updates on the traditional catboat, they use a wishbone rig, are very beamy and certainly managed to achieve the rertro look quite well. Unfortuantely, though, they do not have the extreme shoal draft you may need.

Designed by Mark Ellis, who also did the Niagara 35/42, the Aloha 32 and others, all roomy, traditional looking cruising boats.

[deniseO30]

There are cat boat associations on Chesepeake and Barnegat Bays.