Beetle Cat

Description

The Beetle Cat is an iconic American one-design wooden sailboat designed by John Beetle and first built in 1921 by the Beetle Boat Co. in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Inspired by traditional Cape Cod catboats used for fishing in shallow waters, it's a smaller adaptation of 20–30 ft vessels, emphasizing simplicity, stability, and ease of handling for recreational sailing, racing, or junior training. Over 4,000 hulls have been produced to date, with the design remaining largely unchanged for its centennial in 2021. It's a strict one-design class, built exclusively in wood (oak and cedar) by Beetle, Inc. (formerly through Concordia Company post-WWII), with a canvas-covered deck and gaff rig. Fiberglass copies exist under other names but are not authentic Beetle Cats. Ideal for protected waters like bays, lakes, or coastal areas, it's suited for 1–3 people (especially juniors) and excels in shallow drafts due to its lifting centerboard and protected rudder. Active fleets and regattas, like those by the New England Beetle Cat Boat Association (NEBCBA, founded 1940), keep the class vibrant, with championships honoring builder Leo Telesmanick. 450 lbs. Weight. 11'8" LWL. 6' Beam. 8" Draft board up. 2' Draft board down.