BARNSTABLE CAT BOAT
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 12.33 ft |
| LWL | 11.67 ft |
| Beam | 6.08 ft |
| Draft | 2 ft/ 0.5 ft min |
| Displacement | 450 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 4.6 kn |
About the BARNSTABLE CAT BOAT
A fiberglass version of the original BEETLE CAT, first built in 1921.
The Barnstable Cat Boat is a rare, lightweight gaff-rigged catboat designed by John Beetle and built by Howard Boats in the USA, with production records indicating a single year of construction in 2000. With a total hull build count of unknown quantity, this 12.33 ft LOA vessel represents a specific niche of modern, small-scale traditional sailing.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for solo sailors or couples seeking a low-draft, easy-to-handle day sailor for protected coastal waters, given its 2.0 ft max draft and 450.0 lb displacement.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 3.18 and a comfort ratio of 5.29, the Barnstable Cat Boat is not designed for offshore bluewater cruising but is well-suited for sheltered coastal sailing.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include other small gaff-rigged catboats and lightweight day sailers from the early 2000s, such as the O'Day 14 or similar micro-cruisers, due to the shared emphasis on simplicity, shallow draft, and single-handed operation.
Performance
Market Price
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 12.33ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the BARNSTABLE CAT BOATyet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a BARNSTABLE CAT BOAT? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your BARNSTABLE CAT BOAT?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.
Used sails that fit the BARNSTABLE CAT BOAT
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…