BEETLE CAT
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 BEETLE CAT
The 'authentic' BEETLE CAT is a strict one-design class and built of wood. After World War II, Carl Beetle, son of the designer, passed the rights for construction of the original Beetle Cat Boats to the Concordia Company. As of 2014 it was being built solely by the Beetle Boat Shop. (Beetle Cat Inc.) There are, and have been, numerous boats modeled after the original BEETLE CAT, of fiberglass and other methods of construction. (In the US and elsewhere.)
The Beetle Cat is a historic 12.33 ft gaff-headed catboat designed by John Beetle and built by Beetle, Inc. (USA) in 1921, with a total production of 3600 hulls. As a lightweight vessel displacing 450.0 lb, it represents a classic, simple sailing platform rather than a modern performance cruiser.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for casual day sailing, learning the basics of sailing, or as a nostalgic garden ornament, given its small size and historical nature. It is not appropriate for serious cruising or extended offshore passages.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 450.0 lb, a capsize ratio of 3.18, and a comfort ratio of 5.29, the Beetle Cat lacks the stability and seaworthiness required for bluewater or offshore sailing.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include other vintage catboats like the O'Day Catboat or early 20th-century gaffers, sharing similar low freeboard, gaff rigs, and simple construction methods. These boats are comparable due to their role as accessible, entry-level sailing platforms from the same era.
Performance
Estimated Value
Limited DataEstimated 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 BEETLE CATyet 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 BEETLE CAT? 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 BEETLE CAT?
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.
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Used sails that fit the BEETLE CAT
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…