Re: Beach Cat, Original or Upgraded?
I ordered the old version of the Catfish from Payton and the upgrade from PB&F and the plans came within a few days of each other. I ordered both sets of plans by snail mail and had the plans within two-three weeks. Not unreasonable as I live in Oregon and the plans are coming from Maine.
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Bob C" <txsailor37@...> wrote:
>
>
> I can't speak to the sailing abilities of either version of the boat, but I can speak to the sailing abilities of the Beachcat's smaller brother the Bobcat. The Bobcat is a wonderful sailing boat in most wind conditions, once you learn to understand it's quirks and points as well as I would think you could expect a Catboat to point. I would assume that the shallow keel (newer) version Beachcat would perform much the same as the Bobcat.
>
> I think the ergonomics of the newer version would make it a much more comfortable boat to spend time in than the origianl. Most of the space in the original design was dedicated to a low-top/walk-through cabin. The space was not really comfortable for use while sailing. I have been extremely interested in building the new version for quite a while.
>
> The down side of the new version is I have no idea how long it will take you to get the plans. The original version can be ordered from Payson and be had in a couple of weeks. I ordered the updated version back in November and haven't seen them yet.
>
Peter,
Totally agree that Beach Cat has one the most beautiful profiles out
there, especially the bow shape which reminds me of the big freighter
canoes I have seen up north, and ruled for probably about 50 years and
still being used up there. So I was smitten the first time I saw
Dynamite's lovely model he created.
But for two people going out camping for several days, the Michalak
interpretation seems more practical in that regard, especially for
sleeping accomodations for a couple, due to the narrower bilge panels
that give a larger flat bottom section.
It should be noted too, that it is one of only two designs in his
catalogue that Michalak describes as being power/sail capable, as well
as having very shallow draft. The rudder being off-set to allow a motor
to be close to the center-line of the hull. Just off-set enough so the
weight of the skipper keeps things balanced. His other design (Eisbox)
uses an inboard rudder like the Micro which of course adds more draft.
Nels
-- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Peter" <pvanderwaart@...> wrote:
should benefit from a V-bottom as compared to the CJ's flat bottom, but
I think PCB did a little better on the aesthetics.
Totally agree that Beach Cat has one the most beautiful profiles out
there, especially the bow shape which reminds me of the big freighter
canoes I have seen up north, and ruled for probably about 50 years and
still being used up there. So I was smitten the first time I saw
Dynamite's lovely model he created.
But for two people going out camping for several days, the Michalak
interpretation seems more practical in that regard, especially for
sleeping accomodations for a couple, due to the narrower bilge panels
that give a larger flat bottom section.
It should be noted too, that it is one of only two designs in his
catalogue that Michalak describes as being power/sail capable, as well
as having very shallow draft. The rudder being off-set to allow a motor
to be close to the center-line of the hull. Just off-set enough so the
weight of the skipper keeps things balanced. His other design (Eisbox)
uses an inboard rudder like the Micro which of course adds more draft.
Nels
-- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Peter" <pvanderwaart@...> wrote:
>Bolger Cynthia J. design in the Files section. IMHO, the Michalak boat
>
> > Jim Michalak designed a boat almost identical in size with a more
> > traditional cabin and a lot less traditional look.
>
> If you are looking at different designs, you can find my review of the
should benefit from a V-bottom as compared to the CJ's flat bottom, but
I think PCB did a little better on the aesthetics.
>
> Jim Michalak designed a boat almost identical in size with a moreIf you are looking at different designs, you can find my review of the Bolger Cynthia J. design in the Files section. IMHO, the Michalak boat should benefit from a V-bottom as compared to the CJ's flat bottom, but I think PCB did a little better on the aesthetics.
> traditional cabin and a lot less traditional look.
Bobby,
Loved reading your article and looking through your pictures. Your story is an inspiration for those of us (me) who need reminding to keep building in spite of life getting in the way.
What a great boat! Thanks for sharing the story.
Bill
Rubens Nymph 2/3 done in the garage
Black Skimmer plans on the wall
Loved reading your article and looking through your pictures. Your story is an inspiration for those of us (me) who need reminding to keep building in spite of life getting in the way.
What a great boat! Thanks for sharing the story.
Bill
Rubens Nymph 2/3 done in the garage
Black Skimmer plans on the wall
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Bob C" <txsailor37@...> wrote:
>
> Here is a link to an article in Messing About In Boats where Phil Bolger talks about the redesign of the Beachcat:
>
>http://www.messingaboutinboats.com/archives/mbissuejuly00.html
> Bobby Chilek
>
Jim Michalak designed a boat almost identical in size with a more
traditional cabin and a lot less traditional look. Much more interior
space as it uses Jim's favorite off-set leeboard instead of a
centerboard. I got the plans when it was still in prototype for $25 and
they arrived within 10 days up here to Canada. At least three have been
built and Jim has sailed in one so the plans are now $42.50.
http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/jim/fatcat2/index.htm
Building blog here - but unfortunately is not complete.
http://www.buildboats.com/msfcbb1.html
Nels
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "graeme19121984" <graeme19121984@...>
wrote:
the last year or so. The take-out, as I recall without looking it up, is
that it is a great trailer-boat, great beach-cruiser, great motor-sailer
in light airs, and great sail-boat as the wind rises above say five
knots. The couple were well pleased indeed. Ross could certainly write
from imagination, but I think all the boats in his articles, and they're
not infrequently another unamed Bolger or two, are known from his
personal experience. He's built and had a hand in the building and
sailing of many Bolger boats. His models of some Bolger boats I once saw
when he was out bayside at Manly would make you gasp - dangerous that,
because of the copious and simultaneous drooling! Of course he builds
all sorts, and has had his own design work "out there" for some time
now, but of note it is he who is reportedly testing the carbon spars for
Micro.
brother the Bobcat. The Bobcat is a wonderful sailing boat in most wind
conditions, once you learn to understand it's quirks and points as well
as I would think you could expect a Catboat to point. I would assume
that the shallow keel (newer) version Beachcat would perform much the
same as the Bobcat.
space in the original design was dedicated to a low-top/walk-through
cabin. The space was not really comfortable for use while sailing. I
have been extremely interested in building the new version for quite a
while.
Payson and be had in a couple of weeks. I ordered the updated version
back in November and haven't seen them yet.
traditional cabin and a lot less traditional look. Much more interior
space as it uses Jim's favorite off-set leeboard instead of a
centerboard. I got the plans when it was still in prototype for $25 and
they arrived within 10 days up here to Canada. At least three have been
built and Jim has sailed in one so the plans are now $42.50.
http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/jim/fatcat2/index.htm
Building blog here - but unfortunately is not complete.
http://www.buildboats.com/msfcbb1.html
Nels
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "graeme19121984" <graeme19121984@...>
wrote:
> Ross Lillistone wrote about what could only be a Bolger Beachcat MkI,as sailed and built by a couple, in his usual spot in an AABB issue in
the last year or so. The take-out, as I recall without looking it up, is
that it is a great trailer-boat, great beach-cruiser, great motor-sailer
in light airs, and great sail-boat as the wind rises above say five
knots. The couple were well pleased indeed. Ross could certainly write
from imagination, but I think all the boats in his articles, and they're
not infrequently another unamed Bolger or two, are known from his
personal experience. He's built and had a hand in the building and
sailing of many Bolger boats. His models of some Bolger boats I once saw
when he was out bayside at Manly would make you gasp - dangerous that,
because of the copious and simultaneous drooling! Of course he builds
all sorts, and has had his own design work "out there" for some time
now, but of note it is he who is reportedly testing the carbon spars for
Micro.
>times, and we may yet have the birdwatchered design!
> Ergonomics? The MKI original had the fisherman cuddy, most welcome at
>boat, but I can speak to the sailing abilities of the Beachcat's smaller
> Graeme
>
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Bob C" txsailor37@ wrote:
> >
> >
> > I can't speak to the sailing abilities of either version of the
brother the Bobcat. The Bobcat is a wonderful sailing boat in most wind
conditions, once you learn to understand it's quirks and points as well
as I would think you could expect a Catboat to point. I would assume
that the shallow keel (newer) version Beachcat would perform much the
same as the Bobcat.
> >more comfortable boat to spend time in than the origianl. Most of the
> > I think the ergonomics of the newer version would make it a much
space in the original design was dedicated to a low-top/walk-through
cabin. The space was not really comfortable for use while sailing. I
have been extremely interested in building the new version for quite a
while.
> >take you to get the plans. The original version can be ordered from
> > The down side of the new version is I have no idea how long it will
Payson and be had in a couple of weeks. I ordered the updated version
back in November and haven't seen them yet.
> >
>
Ross Lillistone wrote about what could only be a Bolger Beachcat MkI, as sailed and built by a couple, in his usual spot in an AABB issue in the last year or so. The take-out, as I recall without looking it up, is that it is a great trailer-boat, great beach-cruiser, great motor-sailer in light airs, and great sail-boat as the wind rises above say five knots. The couple were well pleased indeed. Ross could certainly write from imagination, but I think all the boats in his articles, and they're not infrequently another unamed Bolger or two, are known from his personal experience. He's built and had a hand in the building and sailing of many Bolger boats. His models of some Bolger boats I once saw when he was out bayside at Manly would make you gasp - dangerous that, because of the copious and simultaneous drooling! Of course he builds all sorts, and has had his own design work "out there" for some time now, but of note it is he who is reportedly testing the carbon spars for Micro.
Ergonomics? The MKI original had the fisherman cuddy, most welcome at times, and we may yet have the birdwatchered design!
Graeme
Ergonomics? The MKI original had the fisherman cuddy, most welcome at times, and we may yet have the birdwatchered design!
Graeme
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Bob C" <txsailor37@...> wrote:
>
>
> I can't speak to the sailing abilities of either version of the boat, but I can speak to the sailing abilities of the Beachcat's smaller brother the Bobcat. The Bobcat is a wonderful sailing boat in most wind conditions, once you learn to understand it's quirks and points as well as I would think you could expect a Catboat to point. I would assume that the shallow keel (newer) version Beachcat would perform much the same as the Bobcat.
>
> I think the ergonomics of the newer version would make it a much more comfortable boat to spend time in than the origianl. Most of the space in the original design was dedicated to a low-top/walk-through cabin. The space was not really comfortable for use while sailing. I have been extremely interested in building the new version for quite a while.
>
> The down side of the new version is I have no idea how long it will take you to get the plans. The original version can be ordered from Payson and be had in a couple of weeks. I ordered the updated version back in November and haven't seen them yet.
>
Here is a link to an article in Messing About In Boats where Phil Bolger talks about the redesign of the Beachcat:
http://www.messingaboutinboats.com/archives/mbissuejuly00.html
And of course I must mention the pictures that are located in the files section here in this group of Tumafish one of the few Catfish Beachcats that have ever been documented on the internet that I am aware of:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bolger/files/Catfish%20Beachcruiser/
I hope this helps, I am not aware of much other information concerning these boats.
Pictures of my Bobcat can be found in the photos section of this group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bolger/photos/album/1095175498/pic/list
I also wrote a two part article about the build and first thoughts on her sailing abilities for Duckworksmagazine.com located at these addresses:
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/06/projects/bobcat/index.htm
and
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/06/projects/bobcat2/index.htm
I built this boat and ultimatley sailed her in the Texas200 inaugural event, I never really wrote an article about that experience, but the overall journey and the mishaps I encountered can be read in the forums of the Texas200. I think this shows the capabilities of the general design and my hope would be that the catfish sails at leat as well and in a little more comfort.
Bobby Chilek
http://www.messingaboutinboats.com/archives/mbissuejuly00.html
And of course I must mention the pictures that are located in the files section here in this group of Tumafish one of the few Catfish Beachcats that have ever been documented on the internet that I am aware of:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bolger/files/Catfish%20Beachcruiser/
I hope this helps, I am not aware of much other information concerning these boats.
Pictures of my Bobcat can be found in the photos section of this group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bolger/photos/album/1095175498/pic/list
I also wrote a two part article about the build and first thoughts on her sailing abilities for Duckworksmagazine.com located at these addresses:
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/06/projects/bobcat/index.htm
and
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/06/projects/bobcat2/index.htm
I built this boat and ultimatley sailed her in the Texas200 inaugural event, I never really wrote an article about that experience, but the overall journey and the mishaps I encountered can be read in the forums of the Texas200. I think this shows the capabilities of the general design and my hope would be that the catfish sails at leat as well and in a little more comfort.
Bobby Chilek
Can you tell me where I can find information on the orgiginal and upgraded beach cat? I might be intrusted in building it. Thanks much. Bud --- OnMon, 3/1/10, Bob C<txsailor37@...>wrote:
|
I can't speak to the sailing abilities of either version of the boat, but I can speak to the sailing abilities of the Beachcat's smaller brother the Bobcat. The Bobcat is a wonderful sailing boat in most wind conditions, once you learn to understand it's quirks and points as well as I would think you could expect a Catboat to point. I would assume that the shallow keel (newer) version Beachcat would perform much the same as the Bobcat.
I think the ergonomics of the newer version would make it a much more comfortable boat to spend time in than the origianl. Most of the space in the original design was dedicated to a low-top/walk-through cabin. The space was not really comfortable for use while sailing. I have been extremely interested in building the new version for quite a while.
The down side of the new version is I have no idea how long it will take you to get the plans. The original version can be ordered from Payson and be had in a couple of weeks. I ordered the updated version back in November and haven't seen them yet.
I think the ergonomics of the newer version would make it a much more comfortable boat to spend time in than the origianl. Most of the space in the original design was dedicated to a low-top/walk-through cabin. The space was not really comfortable for use while sailing. I have been extremely interested in building the new version for quite a while.
The down side of the new version is I have no idea how long it will take you to get the plans. The original version can be ordered from Payson and be had in a couple of weeks. I ordered the updated version back in November and haven't seen them yet.
I am deciding whether to build the original keel Beach Cat or the upgraded centerboard version. I like the wide open sole of the original version, but I wonder about how well it goes to weather with the shallow keel.
Does anyone out there have a Beach Cat or had a ride in one who can tell me about going to weather? I rarely (never deliberately) go out when the wind is really howling, but do get caught out now and again, so some thoughts on performance in light air as well as high winds (20 mph plus) would be greatly appreciated.
Does anyone out there have a Beach Cat or had a ride in one who can tell me about going to weather? I rarely (never deliberately) go out when the wind is really howling, but do get caught out now and again, so some thoughts on performance in light air as well as high winds (20 mph plus) would be greatly appreciated.