Base Price: $23,995

The original Beetle Cat boat was designed and built in 1921, and immediately began to appear along the shores of New England. Over 4000 of these boats have been built to date. The design was taken from the old 20-30 foot catboats that were used for fishing in shallow waters along Cape Cod.

In the years since the first boat was built, the design has remained essentially unchanged. The original Beetle Cat boat is 12ft-4in with a 6ft beam. The wide beam, with the rudder not extending below the bottom of the keel, and centerboard that lifts up, are features that lend this boat to shallow waters. It is a boat that can be beached. The six foot wide beam makes it unusually stable and gives it a large carrying capacity.

Made entirely of wood, featuring oak frames with cedar planking, with no ballast, it is unsinkable. The large decked area forward on the boat, means spray falls on the deck rather than inside the boat. The rig is similar to that used on the old, large-size Cape Cod catboats, with the mast well forward, and using a single sail. With this type of rig, known as a gaff rig, if you release the tiller, the boat will head into the wind and practically stop. This feature makes it an ideal boat for youngsters.

 

Parts & Accessories: Beetle, Inc. has an extensive list of parts and accessories available with our boats.  Beetle Cat parts can be ordered by calling the shop.  Beetle Cat gifts can be ordered online thru the gift shop.

The Original Beetle Cat Boat was designed and built in 1921, and immediately began to appear along the shores of New England. Over 4000 of these boats have been built to date. The design of the Original Beetle Cat was taken from the old 20-30 foot catboats that were used for fishing in shallow waters along Cape Cod.

In the years since the first boat was built, the design has remained essentially unchanged. The Original Beetle Cat Boat is 12ft-4in long and is a design adaptation of the great Cape Cod Cats. The wide beam, with the rudder not extending below the bottom of the keel, and centerboard that lifts up, are features that lend this boat to shallow waters. It is a boat that can be beached. The six foot wide beam makes it unusually stable and gives it a large carrying capacity.

Made entirely of wood, featuring oak frames with cedar planking, with no ballast, it is unsinkable. The large decked area forward on the boat, means spray falls on the deck rather than inside the boat. The rig is similar to that used on the old, large-size Cape Cod catboats, with the mast well forward, and using a single sail. With this type of rig, known as a gaff rig, if you release the tiller, the boat will head into the wind and practically stop. This feature makes it an ideal boat for youngsters.

 

Parts & Accessories: Beetle has an extensive list of parts and accessories available with our boats.  Beetle Cat parts can be ordered by calling the shop.  Beetle Cat gifts can be ordered online thru the gift shop.

Boat Specifications

  • Length Overall - 12' 4"
  • Length Waterline - 11' 8"
  • Beam - 6' 0"
  • Draft with Board Down - 2' 0"
  • Draft with Board Up - 0' 8"
  • Sail Area - approx. 100 sq. ft.
  • Weight - approx. 450 lbs.

Hull Construction

  • Frames - Steam Bent White Oak
  • Keel and Solid Stem - Steam Bent White Oak
  • Planking - 1/2'' Atlantic White Cedar
  • Rubrails - White Oak
  • Coamings - Red Oak
  • Deck - 1/2'' Atlantic White Cedar Covered with Canvas
  • Hardware - Custom Silicon Bronze
  • Fasteners - Silicon Bronze (Domestic)

Standard Boat

(less sail) Includes: centerboard, rudder, tiller, boom crutch, mast, boom, gaff and all running and standing rigging.