Description
The Glen-L La Chatte, a spirited 16-foot symmetrical-hull catamaran daysailer designed by Glen L. Witt in the 1970s and offered through Glen-L Marine Designs, embodies the firm's hallmark of lightweight, high-performance plywood construction for thrill-seeking amateurs craving speedboat sensations under wind power alone—perfect for coastal bays, lakes, or trailerable regattas in the Pacific Northwest or Great Lakes. Measuring 16 feet LOA with a 7-foot 6-inch beam (hulls 14 inches wide each for planning efficiency) and 12-inch draft (twin daggerboards raise to 8 inches for beaching), it displaces a mere 325 pounds (no ballast, crew weight enhances stability), enabling effortless car-topping via its innovative "knockdown" system: the cockpit tray racks on a roof carrier with hulls nested atop, no trailer required (though compatible with Glen-L Series 1000 plans for longer hauls). The sloop rig unfurls 159 square feet of sail (120 sq ft main, 39 sq ft jib on a freestanding aluminum mast, SA/D ~28 for explosive acceleration), delivering plane-off speeds of 8–12 knots reaching in 10–15 knots of breeze while the cat's high initial stability tames heeling for confident solo or tandem sailing; reefing is straightforward with slab points, and the kick-up rudders ensure nimble handling. Built via stitch-and-glue ¼-inch marine plywood in continuous sheets from keel to sheer (forming a monocoque-like strength without frames, sheathed in fiberglass/epoxy for waterproofing and durability), the design demands just 200–300 hours for a novice using full-size patterns, featuring a spacious open cockpit with benches for 4–5, flotation tanks for unsinkability, and minimal brightwork for low upkeep. With dozens completed worldwide—many starring in informal cat fleets—the La Chatte shines for its whisper-quiet thrill and portability, akin to its monohull sibling the L Gato but amplified by multihull magic.
