New Beetle 14' Catboat

Beetle, Inc. proudly introduces the new Bill Sauerbrey designed "Beetle 14". After numerous inquires over the years for a Beetle Cat with seats, Bill was given the task in the Fall of 2006 to design a 14' catboat. Drawing from his early catboat experience at Mystic Seaport with the Breck Marshall (a cape cod Crosby catboat), taking the lines off many others such as Gil Smith's great southbay cats for Mystic's archives, his 12 years of experience building the Beetle Cats, and his most recent completion of the historic 28' Hanley catboat, Bill set about designing a truly classic Cape Cod catboat.

The Beetle 14' catboat is cedar planked over white oak frames, with a canvas deck and oak coamings similar in style to the Beetle Cat. While only 2' longer in length, the boat is actually 80% larger, which is evident in its roomy cockpit which seats 4 adults comfortably.

The interior on the first boat has a "natural" cockpit at the request of the owner, with painted or varnished seats. Bill added pattern maker to his resume when he made the custom stem head fitting, mast band and gooseneck patterns for the casting of the custom bronze hardware. The spars are built in-house of solid douglas fir and finished off with bronze hardware and blocks.

The boat carries 180 sq. ft. of sail, proportionate to the Beetle Cat's rig, however 2 sets of reef points are standard where as the Beetle Cat has only one. A topping lift is standard as well as more purchase on the peak halyard and mainsheet. These changes, on top of a bit more depth of hull with less fullness forward, make her easy to handle and fast as well! A Sunbrella sail and cockpit cover is available, along with a custom built trailer. As always, we offer launching, hauling, storage and winter maintenance services.

The boat will be on display at the shop for all catboat enthusiasts!

 

All photos © copyright 2007 Beetle, Inc.

Beetle, Inc.
3 Thatcher Lane
Wareham, MA 02571
Telephone: 508-295-8585
Fax: 508-295-8949
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