Beetle Cat

A scaled down version of the Cape Cod catboats used for lobster fishing, these gaff-rigged catboats were designed in 1921 by Carl N. Beetle as a sail-training boat for the New Bedford Yacht Club. Costing $300 complete, they were built by the Beetle Company of Massachusetts, which was well known for producing whale boats and Cape Cod catboats. Leo Telesmanick was responsible for building most of the Beetles. He started building them in 1930 and retired in 1983. The Beetle Cat became a class in 1921 and is the oldest continuing sailing class in the U.S. It is still popular, especially in New England. The construction is Cape Cod white cedar with oak frames and coaming. The boats are 12’ 4” long with a 6’ beam. They are still being built by Beetle, Inc. in South Dartmouth, MA.

Herreshoff 12 1/2 Shrimpo
(Currently being restored)

This sloop was designed as a class boat by Nathaniel G. Herreshoff in 1914 and built in his shop, in Bristol Bay, Rhode Island, as a stock boat, until 1939. He called it the "Buzzard's Bay Boy's Boat." The boat is 15'10" overall length and 12'6" waterline length. There is a 735-pound lead keel which gives great stability. This boat was designed to sail in the strong wind and steep chop of Buzzard's Bay. The graceful lines, seaworthiness, and comfortable motion gives this boat a special "little ship" feeling. A number have survived in the Cape Cod area and have become a respected standard of classic boat design. This boat, built about 1930, was donated to The Center for Wooden Boats by David Lesser.

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Woodshole Spritsail Dewey

This vessel is native to the waters of Woods Hole, Massachusetts. It was originally used by fishermen and can be easily rowed as well as sailed. Particular to this boat are the spar going from the tack to the peak, called the “sprit”, and the loose footed mainsail. There is plenty of room in the open cockpit for a family or group of friends to spend a pleasant afternoon on Lake Union.

This boat was constructed by students at Seattle Central Cimmunity College School of Wood Boat Construction. It was donated to CWB by Mike Foley. It is named for Mike's longshoreman grandfather, Dewey Duggan.

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Spritsail Boat Plover

This sprit rigged catboat is a hybrid of a Bigelow Kitten and a Woodshole Sprits'l boat. It was built by Dan Phalen and restored by Wesley Mullens as a Boy Scout Eagle-rank service project. Assisted by the Scouts of Troop 853 and Explorer Post 347, Wesley sistered twelve frames, installed new mahogany thwarts and wooded down the spars and transom. The inside and outside of the vessel were sanded, primed and painted. Approximately 125 hours of work went into the restoration of this Woods Hole Spritsail Boat. The frames are white oak, with Port Orford cedar planking. There is 200 pounds of internal ballast in the vessel. This vessel is native to the waters of Woods Hole, Massachusetts. It was originally used by fishermen and can be easily rowed as well as sailed. Particular to this boat are the spar going from the tack to the peak called the “sprit” and the loose footed mainsail. There is plenty of room in the open cockpit for a family or group of friends to spend a pleasant afternoon on Lake Union. Come sailing and enjoy!

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Swift Class Dick Tolmie

This 13' sailing boat is the first of its class, designed by Rich Kolin and built during a CWB student workshop. The boat was designed to help fill our need for traditional sailing boats that may be used in the livery, as well as by sail training classes at our future Cama Beach State Park campus, on Camano Island. Kolin's design was inspired by the yacht tenders and day sailors designed by Nathaniel G. Herreschoff in the early 20th century. Finished beautifully, the sail rig holds 100 square feet of sail in the mainsail and jib.

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