It has been over 150 years since James Beetle built his first whaleboat in New Bedford. Many of his boats ended up on the Charles W. Morgan whaling ship, currently undergoing a major restoration at Mystic Seaport. He would go on to teach his sons Charles, John, and James whom all followed in the business. The Beetle family became world reknowned for their whaleboat construction, and even built several for Commodore Robert E. Peary, in his many quests to discover the North Pole. Charles Beetle was asked to build a Beetle Whaleboat for the Charles W. Morgan in 1924 while it was being exhibited at Colonel Edward H.R. Green's estate in South Dartmouth. He was once again called upon in 1933 to build a whaleboat for the Mariner's Museum in Newport News, VA. The lines were later taken off this boat and became part of Mystic Seaport's plan collection. It is this Beetle whaleboat that we will start building this fall at the Beetle Shop for the New Bedford Whaling Museum, to once again go on the Charles W. Morgan at her relaunching in 2014.

NEW DVD!!! The Beetle Cat - A Small Boat with a Big History.

This 60 minute documentary traces the Beetle Cat back to its earliest roots in the whaling industry thru to its continued construction and popularity today. Pearl River Productions has assembled a one of a kind historical account of the Beetle Cat and helped preserve its legacy for generations to come! The DVD can be ordered online in our Gift Shop, by phone, or picked up at the shop.

January 2012 Yachting Magazine Feature Article

Dennis Caprio visits the shop, goes for a sail with Bill Womack and tells a wonderful tale of the Beetle Cat and its history, while Billy Black photographs all the activity. Check out the story and video online: Come Sail With Me, Beetle Cat Boats.

2011 Beetle Cat Championships at Weekapaug Yacht Club

The Leo J. Telesmanick Championships returned to Westerly, RI on August 6th and 7th where 28 Beetle Cats competed in this annual event. Congratulations go out to the Overall Winners: 1st place Bill and Julia Boll, 2nd place Ery Largay and Charles Culhane, 3rd place Karen and Mark Fallon.

32' Noank Schooner Relaunched

The Noank Schooner "William Bassett" (formerly "We're Here") was relaunched on June 3rd, 2011 in Wareham, MA. The schooner was subsequently sailed to Mystic Seaport for the Woodenboat Show and awarded Best Professionally Restored Sailboat. Back in its home waters of Noank, CT, the boat was sailed by John Wilbur and his family before returning back to its mooring in Onset Harbor. Photos can viewed in the Photo Gallery.

Beetle Cat 90th Anniversary 1921 - 2011

It's been 90 YEARS since John and Carl Beetle designed and built the first Beetle Cat in their New Bedford shop. Help us celebrate by sailing in this years Leo Telesmanick Beetle Cat Championships at Weekapaug Yacht Club August 6th and 7th.

Onset Island Skiff Feature Article

Stan Grayson eloquently describes the design process, construction, and handling of our new 12' Onset Island outboard skiff in Woodenboat Magazine's 2011 Small Boats edition. He sums it up with 4 words: "Utility, Affordability, Good Fun. We agree!

Boat Care the Beetle Way

Woodenboat Magazine features a 7-page article in its Sept/Oct 2010 issue on how the shop maintains over 175 boats each season. Stan Grayson did a great job of narrating what we do in simple terms, while Bill Sauerbrey took the photos needed to compliment the article over the span of several months.

Kathleen wins the 2010 Pleasant Bay Catboat Gathering!

Tim Fallon and crew had another successful outing in their Summer race series against the 32' catboat Silent Maid. Bob Luckraft beautifully narrated the race on his blog: Arey's Pond Big Cat Race. Emily Ferguson was there to photograph the weekend and her many photos can be viewed at: landsedgephoto.com.

2010 Leo J. Telesmanick Beetle Cat Championships at Chapoquoit Yacht Club

Congratulations to the Top 3 Overall Finishers: John Fallon (1st Place) Dan O'Connor (2nd Place) and Charlie York (3rd Place). Full results will be posted on NEBCBA's website www.beetlecat.org once available

2010 Woodenboat Show

Still recovering from the Woodenboat Show in Mystic... We launched Thetis in Mattapoisett and Bill Sauerbrey and his wife Florence sailed her down to Mystic with the Beetle Pram in tow (she has no engine, like the original). The rest of the crew helped set up the land space with the Beetle Cat and rowing skiff on display. On Saturday Manny and Melanie, along with Mark Williams answered questions aboard Thetis, while Bill and Michelle manned the land space. Saturday evening everyone attended the Concourse d'elegance award ceremony, where Thetis won in the Best Professionally Built Sailboat category. The Owner of Thetis, along with his brother, gladly took the helm on Sunday and sailed her back to Mattapoisett. It is always comforting to be around people who appreciate wood boats. We enjoy strolling around the show ourselves and seeing both the Seaports projects (currently the restoration of the Charles W. Morgan Whaleboat) and visting with the other boatbuilders and vendors. Just wish we had more time!

Thetis