: Hi Malcolm,

: Which design? Catboats are cool :)

: Bill H.

Hello Bill,

I chose the Fenwick Williams 18' catboat, which I intend to build in strip construction. Currently costing out the materials.

I have always loved catboats, and then I gained access to a Nonsuch which I sailed often down here single-handed. Man that was a dream to sail. I remember an article I once read about the Nonsuch that said "Tacking requires no yelling by the captain. The Captain simply says "I believe I'll tack now," and gently shifts the helm without spilling his coffee... " Or something like that. Having crewed on race boats and even worked as crew chief on one, I am all for pulling lines and trimming sails, but the catboat is a great weekend cruiser when you just want to explore a secluded beach, dive a reef, and spend the night at anchor.

I was close to obtaining a Rhodes 19, which isn't a catboat, but has a very similar beamy hull. When that fell through I said "to heck with it, I'm sick of chasing down boats in need of repair. By the time I do all the repairs I may as well have built the boat I want." We will see. It's going to be a tight fit to build the hull where I intend to do so, but if I can get through that then I can park it elsewhere to finish her out. It's funny- it's a foot shorter than my kayak, but seven feet wider, and has a cabin and an auxiliary motor!!!!

-Malcolm