Boats

Sea Cow was my modified Atkin retreat built in Fort Myers, Florida. I was the second owner.

The current Kat Boat was the prototype Michalak FatCat 2, originally named Julia L and built in Illinois. According to the designer the prolific Jim Michalak "FatCat 2 is a cuddy cabin sailer patterned somewhat after a traditional catboat." She's extraordinarily stable and moves well to weather. The Kat Boat displays some unique features. These include a winch for the mast, gallows to keep the spars out of the cockpit and due to a design tweak a 4.5" longer cabin. Jim also installed flotation benches on the sides and curved the cabin roof for a more classical catboat look. Overall a very fine craft was created.

Over the next five years the sail plan has increased to 145sqft, The electrical system has been improved and a few powered amenities have been added, Marshall Marine style shock cord reefing is installed to aid in sail handling and the mast is now stepped in the tabernacle as designed. There was no need for the folding system once the boat was stored in a proper boat yard.

In the preceding decade the vessel has shown no vices beyond what those of her type are known for. A custom rudder, shallower and longer has given life to the neutral tiller and a touch of weather helm as the speed increases. A skeg was added to improve manners on the hook and the mooring. She's shown to be very stable and weatherly, riding out the fierce squalls that can come over her sailing grounds. The designer made the comment the boat seemed "light with a really big sail" but true to breeding she's never felt unsafe. Her beam gives stability and the two reef points mean when used correctly there hasn't' been anything Kat Boat can't handle in protected waters.

If you've been thinking of a boat for such waters that can sleep two, daysail four, provides confidence in handling and performance and has the salty traditionalist look about it, you can't go wrong with a FatCat 2. It's very surprising there are not more of these out there sailing. You can pick up the plans here.

Michalak Robbsboat — 15 ft Pocket Cruiser

Built by Tom Sorenson, This Robbsboat is a Jim Michalak box-boat design inspired by Phil Bolger’s philosophy: simple shapes, real utility, and boats that are meant to be used. Built in 2016 using quality materials, she’s a compact, capable pocket cruiser.

The enclosed “Birdwatcher-style” cabin provides surprising protection and usable space for her size. A central slot keeps the cabin above water even if knocked down, and the interior is large enough to sleep aboard comfortably while staying dry in rain. Ballast comes from batteries, gear, and structure rather than dead weight, giving her a solid feel without excess draft.

She carries a professionally built balanced lug sail on an unstayed mast, making rigging quick and uncomplicated. A leeboard replaces a centerboard, keeping the interior clear and shallow-water friendly. Under power, she’s efficient and easy to move—cruising around 4 knots on roughly 300 watts with an electric outboard, or at modest throttle with a small gas motor.

Yep

Idaho is a 31-foot plywood and epoxy power sharpie designed by Phil Bolger and built by Bernie Wolfard as a wheelchair accessible river and coastal cruiser. Long, narrow, and flat bottomed, she is unapologetically pragmatic with a 5-foot-3-inch beam, shoal draft, and a low crouch cabin that favors space efficiency and usability. Her boxy construction makes her easy to beach, capable in protected waters, and surprisingly seaworthy for her simplicity. Idaho cruises economically on a 25-hp outboard and reaches a top speed of about 15 knots, sipping roughly a gallon of fuel per hour and delivering about 10 miles per gallon. She can carry enough food, gear, and fuel for multi-day family camp cruising and exploration especially around her owner's favorite destination, the San Juan Islands. With different load outs Idaho can run light and open for beach days on Lake Sammamish. She is a boat that values access and experience over polish and pretense, with a form honest enough to polarize.

Great pulling boat. Put some miles on! But somehow I never sailed her.

I've probably spent more time sailing my Piccup Pram than any other boat I've ever owned. It's just that easy. You can cartop it, trailer it, or -- nodding to its namesake intent -- shove it in the back of your truck. When you hit the water, you just plunk in the mast, set up the rig, and go. If you're creative, you can even keep the running rigging reeved to save yourself a little time.

Piccup Pram looks a bit like a toy, but she's mighty capable. The design has completed several Texas 200s. I've had mine out in a decent chop and never blinked. You wouldn't want to row miles and miles. But you could if you had to.

RACCOON is definitely a keeper for me. Jim nailed it with this design.

Test again

This my West Mersea Duck Punts. I had two originally, (Carolina) Wren and (Carolina) Chickadee. But I gave the latter to my brother so he could have fun on shallow water in Maine.