Beetle Boat Co.

Beetle Boat Co. was a pioneering American boat-building firm based in New Bedford, Massachusetts, renowned for its contributions to early 20th-century wooden vessel construction, particularly whaleboats and catboats. Founded in the 19th century amid the height of the whaling industry, the company transitioned from commercial workboats to recreational sailboats, most notably the iconic Beetle Cat—a compact, gaff-rigged daysailer designed for family use. Carl N. Beetle, the owner's son, innovated in fiberglass technology (inventing gel-coated molds and catalyst spray guns), paving the way for modern composites, though the company focused primarily on wood. Acquired and restructured multiple times, it influenced traditional New England boating before ceasing independent operations in the mid-20th century. The Beetle Cat design endures, now produced by Beetle, Inc. (operating as the Beetle Boat Shop in Wareham, MA), which continues plank-on-frame wooden builds and maintenance.