Building a Stitch and Glue Catboat
Building a Peregrine 16-ft stitch-and-glue catboat in Brazil, from plans by Madeira Mar
In 2019 we designed a stitch-and-glue catboat for amateur construction. Catboats are probably the best small weekend cruising sailboats that have ever been designed. Catboats have great room for their size, due to the large beam, which is also responsible for their excellent stability. The single gaff sail and the forward-mounted mast have two great advantages: more interior room without a mast passing through it, and ease of sailing, especially for novices.
In spite of the catboat’s qualities, there is always room for improvements and innovation (learn more about our design philosophy).
The Peregrine catboat series was designed with the novice builder in mind. Construction is stitch-and-glue, using marine plywood, fiberglass fabric and epoxy resin. Design respects traditional catboat lines and proportions, but some changes were made to address typical catboat issues, such as the severe weather helm and the cumbersome centerboard case in the middle of the cabin. The centerboard was replaced for a forward pointed daggerboard, that exits in the cockpit. The “barndoor” rudder is balanced, which reduces the force on the helm. The stern has a large planing surface due to the wide transom, and this helps the boat go fast when running. Spars can be built with round steel tube, which is affordable and readily available. Hot-dip zinc-plating and powdercoating will protect the spars from rust. Wooden spars can be used also.
Cockpit is above the waterline and is self-bailing. The cabin has plenty of room. The vee-berth sits four, and there is room for a small galley and a chemical toilet under a folding chart-table. Cockpit seats have plenty of storage under, and the boat can be built with emergency flotation under the cockpit and under the berth and anchor well.
The Peregrine 160 complete plans will soon be available for purchase, as well as the other Peregrines, the 130 (13-ft open daysailer catboat) and the 190 (19ft catboat). For more information on these plans, please contact our team.