Gaff head Cat · Centerboard Dinghy · First built 2021
A modern fibreglass evolution of the classic Arey's Pond catboat, featuring a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio
Designed by Bill Nash & Tony Davis.
LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Hull type
Centerboard Dinghy
Is it for you?
Character
Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.
TrailerableBeam 2.06 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 200 kg of hull, so roughly 800 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Ramp-launchableAbout 200 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 0.15 m, board up where she has one — creeks, sandbars and thin anchorages most keels have to stay out of.
LivelySea-kindly
Her light displacement on a beamy beam gives 4 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.
Comfort ratio 4
CoastalBluewater
At 3.56 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.
Capsize screening 3.56
LightHeavy
89 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.
Displacement / length 89
EasygoingPowered-up
41.5 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.
Sail area / displacement 41.5
Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.
Heavier than ~86% of boats her size on file
Beamier than ~95% of boats her size on file
Compared with 372 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
41.5
Displacement / length
89.4
Comfort ratio
4.0
Capsize screening
3.56
Hull speed
4.8 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
314
Hull
Hull type
Centerboard Dinghy
Construction
Wood
Production
Years built
First built 2021
Designer
Bill Nash, Tony Davis
Builder
Arey's Pond Boat Yard
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.
Aubin (Chantier Aubin) Snipe4.72 mSame hull family0.5 m longerA legendary William F. Crosby-designed fractional dinghy that remains one of the world's most active racing classes
Beneteau First 144.30 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Samuel Manuard-designed performance dinghy with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited, responsive sailing
Spindrift 134.06 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterA Hubert Vandestadt-designed centerboard dinghy with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for lively, responsive sailing
Several Under License 29er4.40 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA high-performance skiff designed by Julian Bethwaite, featuring a powerful fractional rig for competitive racing
Small Craft Ltd. Wayfarer4.82 mSame hull family0.6 m longerAn Ian Proctor-designed centreboard dinghy with a high sail-to-displacement ratio, built since 1957 in wood and fibreglass
