This guide offers an in-depth exploration of America’s most unique and enduring sailboat, the Cape Cod catboat, and explains why the type has enjoyed such a strong resurgence in popularity. Providing new insights into the myths and realities regarding the catboat’s origins in New York and on Cape Cod, it explores the boat’s central importance as a fishing craft and later as a racing and cruising yacht. Included are stories of the great catboat designers of the type’s golden age in the late 19th century. This comprehensive reference also examines today’s fiberglass catboats and offers practical advice on catboat selection and sailing.

Interest in the catboat is on the increase these days, probably because people have finally discovered just how versatile the craft is. The cat has been around for a long time; its history dates from before 1850, and possibly as far back as the colonial era. At various times the cat has been a workboat, cruising boat, daysailer, and racing boat. Even though its origins are unclear, the catboat has been recognized as one of the true American boats, since it reached the peak of its development on the shores of the northeast United States. Information and references to the catboat are scattered throughout nautical literature--a quick glance at the bibliography of this book will bear that out. But surprisingly enough, this is the first serious attempt to bring together the story of the cat in one book. Many knowledgeable people have contributed to this book. The information and illustrations are primarily the result of the efforts of the members of The Catboat Association, an organization of people who have banded together to preserve the tradition of the catboat. Under the overall editorship of John Leavens, co-secretary and one of the founders of the Association, these writers have analyzed the catboat from its beginnings to the present. Here, then is the story of this distinctive American boat--its development, its career as a racer, its design elements and construction details, including new materials; its restoration, maintenance, and auxiliary power. "There must be a book reviewer somewhere who could perhaps find fault with some aspect of this very fine book, but he'd have to be a landlocked individual who had not the slightest idea what a boat was, and how small craftplayed such an enormous part in the developing traditions of this country, for this is the kind of book that we ought to see more of, for its depth and clarity inspire nonstop reading."--"WoodenBoat Catboat buffs will welcome and enjoy this book, and so will any sailor having a taste for the romantic lines of a classic ship."--"SEA Magazine "A must for fans, and your reviewer could easily become one."--"The Ensign "International Marine and The Catboat Association have combined efforts under John Leavens' guidance to present what will probably stand as the most definitive work on this distinctive craft in our American marine heritage."--"SAIL "The contributions themselves stand individually, much as magazine articles do--one or two on restoring old cats, on powering cats, on catboat racing over the years, on fiberglass, and even on ferro-cement cats. The book is rounded out with a 53-page "album" of catboat photos and plans, including a number of brilliant examples by the great New England photographer, Nathaniel L. Stebbins. A loving and skillful tribute to a class of boat which inspires love in all who encounter it."--"Motorboating & Sailing "

"the Competitive Cat" is a one of a kind resource for the modern catboat sailor. The book is geared for the reader who is interested in racing, yet the detailed descriptions, drawings and photographs will assist anyone sailing a catboat to enjoy their time in the boat to the maximum, with improved efficiency and safety. "the Competitive Cat" rightly starts you off with boat preparation tips, from bottom prep and maintenance, to standing and running rigging, with no details spared for the full care and feeding of your cat. Even if you have been sailing for decades, the Balance chapter will still have some surprises for you. Boat handling, reefing, sail trim, and a detailed discussion of racing rules as they apply to catboats, are all covered in an easy to understand format. There is a special chapter on Beetle Catboats. "the Competitive Cat" is unique; there is no other reference source like it. "the Competitive Cat" is a must for every catboat sailor's library.

Although there were hundreds of catboats on Barnegat Bay in the early 20th century, none were quite like Silent Maid. She was built in 1924 at Bay Head, New Jersey, for Philadelphia businessman Edwin J. Schoettle. Silent Maid's sailing life stretches across eight decades. This book is as much about the people who sailed her and where they came from as it is about the wood, iron, bronze, cordage, and canvas that fleshed out her frames. It was through their lives she moved. With over 470 illustrations, this book recounts how Silent Maid's owners came to shape, nurture, and, ultimately, preserve her . . . and in return, how she influenced their lives.

Created & developed on Cape Cod in the mid-19th century but eventually popular throughout the country, the Cape Cod catboat is perhaps the most uniquely American of all sailing craft. The second edition of CATBOATS will be of interest to all involved with classic sailing craft, to those interested in yachting & workboat history, & to anyone curious about a very special aspect of the New England scene. The book covers the history of the catboat together with stories of people who have become involved with restoring, cruising, & racing these boats. The second edition features a collection of rare 19th century catboat photographs from the Hart Nautical Museum at MIT, these in addition to several photos in the first edition from the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities & other sources. The new book's Appendix also contains useful material on catboat racing techniques & a chapter on catboat lore replete with information on the use of catboats in a variety of New England fisheries. "Every sailor & those who love to read about people, boats & their affinity for the Cape will enjoy this thoroughly pleasing mix of solid information about catboats, the people who sail them & the legends & history that have grown around them."--CAPE COD TIMES. "...there is something about catboats that captures the imagination & sends the mind on an afternoon sail across sparkling waters, & that is exactly what Grayson has portrayed in this delightful book."--YACHTING. Devereux Books, 20 Vassar Rd., Box 503, Marblehead, MA 01945. (617) 631-3055.

You'll enjoy this? part story, part boatbuilding manual of a small, beetle-cat-like boat, from a legendary designer with probably more of his creations built than any other person. You'll find out not only how the boat is built, but also how the design came to be from someone with a (long!) lifetime of fooling around with boats. As told from Toad's Landing, on an island off British Columbia, it becomes quite apparent that whimsy and fun are not limited to young boys and girls. The first thing you may notice about Tom Cat is the handsome cuddy. The next thing to realize is she is constructed with a combination of the traditional-plank-on-frame (carvel) and modern-epoxy for the seams. The result is a rugged boat which doesn't require the swelling of planks, or the recaulking of seams in the years to come. If you are just too pure a traditionalist for epoxy, of course you can plank and caulk.

Interspersed among the gold-plated yachts of the Gilded Age were many humble catboats serving as fishing boats, livery craft, and pleasure boats. Here their story is told in well-researched detail with a fine collection of period photographs.