Catboat Quandary

[marcberoz]

Hi All,

Lately I've had an almost irrepressible urge to buy a catboat. My situation is that I currently have a Nonsuch 26 in Connecticut. I love that boat but next year we'll be moving to Falmouth, MA. Between the cost of marinas there and the time I would spend motoring to where my draft would allow me to raise my sail, I've decided I ought to look at a shallow draft catboat that I can keep on a trailer - at least over the winter months.

I am smitten by the looks of Com-Pacs and am particularly interested in the Horizon Cat or Sun Cat. I'm leaning towards the Horizon Cat since I assume the inboard diesel would let me better negotiate the choppy waters of Buzzards Bay. I envision spending time gunkholing and occasional overnight trips to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Most of the time it will just be my wife and I.

I understand that the Sun Cat is not a fast boat. Is the same true for the Horizon Cat? What's the difference in performance between the two? Can these boats negotiate 3-5' chop in 20 knots and still be fun? Not that I'd be looking for those conditions, but I've been through Buzzards Bay too many times where I've found myself in them.

Any comments appreciated.
Thanks

Marc
with a Nonsuch 26 soon to be for sale.

[sailingdog]

Cat boats in general are not fast boats. They're very beamy and have a lot of wetted surface area. The Horizon cat is actually based on a Herreshoff (Halsey IIRC) design. I've sailed along side quite a few of them as Buzzards Bay is my home waters and they're out in conditions that send a lot of other boats running for harbors.

That said, I haven't been on a catboat in 20+ years, having sailed them when I was in college, as a friend owned one back then. One of the nicest catboats I've seen was a custom Arey's Pond built catboat called The Stray, which hails from Orleans, MA, and I met down in St. Augustine last spring.

The in-board diesel is definitely the way to go. A good book for you to read is Catboat Summers, which is about sailing various catboats on these waters.

BTW, it probably isn't necessary to get a catboat for these waters. The Nonesuch 26 isn't that deep a draft vessel and should be fine. You won't have the option of winter storage at your home on a trailer, like you might with a catboat, but most catboats aren't legally trailerable, since they're too wide.

[mgiguere]

I understand your desire to move to a cat boat, but the draft of a Nonesuch should in no way impede its use out of Falmouth. Although now in the Chesapeake Bay, I use to sail my S&S 37 with 6 foot draft all through the cape during the month of June (after Figawi). And now, here on the bay, I have to be a little more careful, but I still wouldn't trade the extra performance for a shallower draft boat.

In any case, good luck in your pursuit of the kind of boat you desire.

Moe

[paulk]

Sloop, by Daniel Robb, might indicate that a catboat is not the only option in this area. The Coast of Summer, by Anthony Bailey, goes into enjoyable detail about places to go and explore. One big sail might be a handful to reef when the wind pipes up.

[sailingdog]

IIRC, the Nonesuch has one large sail as well, so that is a wash between the catboat and the Nonesuch. He's used to that problem... both the books you mention are excellent too.

Originally Posted by paulk

Sloop, by Daniel Robb, might indicate that a catboat is not the only option in this area. The Coast of Summer, by Anthony Bailey, goes into enjoyable detail about places to go and explore. One big sail might be a handful to reef when the wind pipes up.

[marcberoz]

Sailingdog:
Thanks for the book recommendation. I'm glad to know that these boats can take those conditions.

Moe:
I am on a waiting list for a mooring at Kingman's and Parker's Boat yard. Seems to me I'd have to motor out by the south side of Bassett's Island before I could put my sail up and travel time would be 20 to 25 minutes at 5 knots. I've done that before. Figuring in this extra time has always impacted how many times I use my boat. Just isn't the best thing for me.

Also, I'll be starting retirement & moving. I know that for the next 2 years I won't be using my boat as much as I'd like to. May as well lower costs by keeping a smaller boat I can trailer.

Paul:
I've read sloop. Good book. I'll try the other as well. I read somewhere about rigging up a reefing system for the Horizon Cat that can be worked entirely from the cockpit. Same thing as I have on the Nonsuch. One thing that I'll look forward to is that even though the Horizon Cat has 1 big sail, it is a lot smaller than what I'm presently using.

[WanderingStar]

There is a catboat association, doubtless with a website. You might find answers there.

[omaho5]

You could opt for a shallow draft full keel Alberg design. Then you would have the benefits of a headsail.
Cape Dory and several others made beautiful boats in 25 to 28 range.
My 22 full keel draws only 3'
The 27 [a wonderful boat] draws 4', I believe.
They point higher, and are faster.
I sailed on a Nonesuch 26 last year. Off the wind it was nice, but needs good wind to push it.

[mgiguere]

Kingman Marine use to be my overnight stopping point on the way to Hyannis (Figawi base) from Marblehead (home port at the time). We'd get there in time for dinner at that excellent restaurant. Definitely use to plow the bottom coming in from the north and going out by the south channel the next morning, and it is a relatively long motor to Buzzard's Bay either way--so I better understand your goal. Best wishes....