Gaff head Cat · Centerboard (Trunk) · First built 1969
A gaff-rigged centerboard daysailer with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio, built by four different Maine yards
Designed by Merle Hallett, built by Cape Dory.
LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Hull type
Centerboard (Trunk)
Is it for you?
Character
Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.
TrailerableBeam 2.03 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 340 kg of hull, so roughly 950 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Ramp-launchableAbout 340 kg of hull, with a keel that raises or a draught shallow enough to float off a trailer — she can go back on the trailer at the ramp, not only into the water.Shoal draughtDraws 0.30 m, board up where she has one — creeks, sandbars and thin anchorages most keels have to stay out of.
CoastalBluewater
At 2.94 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.
Capsize screening 2.94
EasygoingPowered-up
31.1 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.
Sail area / displacement 31.1
Powered-up and quick to accelerate — this one likes to sail.
Draws more than ~90% of boats her size on file
Compared with 99 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.
The record
Full specifications
The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.
Dimensions
Weights
Rig & sail area
Rig
Gaff head Cat
Ratios
SA / displacement
31.1
Capsize screening
2.94
Hull
Hull type
Centerboard (Trunk)
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1969
Designer
Merle Hallett
Builder
Cape Dory, Handy Boat Serv
Boats like this, on the water
Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.
Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.
Open 5.005.00 mSame hull family0.7 m longerA high-performance sport boat from Jean Marie Finot featuring a rotating spar and an ultra-light displacement
Drascombe Dabber4.72 mSame hull family0.5 m longerA John Watkinson-designed sprit-rigged daysailer with a centreboard, built since 1970 for shallow-water versatility
Sandpiper 154.72 mSame hull family0.5 m longerA Breck Marshall-designed gaff-rigged catboat with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited light-air sailing
Farr 50005.08 mSame hull family0.8 m longerA Bruce Farr-designed fractional sloop featuring a swing keel and a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for lively performance
Com Pac Sun Cat 17-25.28 mSame hull family1.0 m longerA gaff-rigged catboat featuring a keel-centerboard hull and a cuddy cabin, also available as an open-cockpit daysailer
RS Quest4.29 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 140kg fractional sloop with a centerboard trunk designed for stable, versatile training and family sailing
