Build The Instant Cat Boat
by Harold H. (Dynamite) Payson
This book contains complete and minutely detailed plans and instructions for building a beautiful 12 foot 3-inch catboat using marine or exterior-grade plywood, fiberglass resin and cloth, a couple of pine or fir boards, and a few pounds of fastenings and hardware. Like the boats in Build the New Instant Boats, this little gem was designed by innovative naval architect Phil Bolger specifically for the inexperienced home builder. No exotic tools are needed. There are no lines to loft, molds to set up, or jigs to build.
The Instant Catboat was inspired by the famous Beetle cats, round bilged, planked catboats that have been built since 1920 and make fine daysailers for children or small families. Though she closely resembles the Beetle cat with her multichine form, the Instant Catboat can be built for about one fourth the cost (materials come to less than $1,000), and her plywood-and fiberglass construction will take more kindly to frequent hauling and to freshwater use. Dynamite Payson has built and sailed the prototype, wringing all the bugs out of the plans. He sells full scale plans and sails to those who want them for convenience sake.
Judging from the success of Build the New Instant Boats, there is a receptive audience for the Payson-Bolger philosophy of making boatbuilding accessible to everyone. This catboat, the newest addition to the Instant Boat fleet, is the jewel in the crown. Sailing trials have proven her to be a spritely and forgiving performer. She's a winner.
DYNAMITE PAYSON of South Thomaston, Maine, is the leading proponent of boatbuilding for not necessarily boatbuilders. He pioneered the Instant Boat methods of plywood boatbuilding, using boats designed with this in mind by naval architect Phil Bolger.
48 pages, 63 illustrations, 8 1/2" x 11", paperbound August 1986
