This 1964 Beetle Cat “PEARL” hull #1842 is a 12-foot, gaff-rigged wooden catboat designed by John Beetle in 1921. She was built by George Forker. It is the oldest one-design racing fleet in the world, still continuously built out of wood, known for its stability and shallow draft. The Beetle Cat is built using traditional plank-on-frame methods. Construction features steam-bent white oak frames and 1/2-inch Atlantic white cedar planking. Deck features 1/2-inch Atlantic white cedar covered with canvas, which is traditionally bedded in white lead. Spars, the mast, boom, and gaff are typically made of Douglas or varnished fir. Bronze hardware and fasteners are used throughout to maintain its classic integrity. “PEARL” was built during the time Concordia Company owned the Beetle Cat production and is a true classic in her own right. According to the official Beetle Cat Boat Shop, the sailboat features a wide beam that provides significant carrying capacity and stability.
Hull#: 1842
Built by Concordia Co, Inc, South Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Length Overall: 12' 4"
Beam: 6' 0"
Draft: 2' 0" with the centerboard down, and only 8 inches with the board up.
Weight: Approximately 450 lbs.
Sail Area: Approximately 100 square feet.
Seating is traditionally designed with no fixed seats; sailors sit on the cockpit sole in light winds or on the gunwales in heavier air. The Beetle Cat was originally designed for children to sail safely in the shallow waters of Cape Cod. The gaff rig is designed so that if the tiller is released, the boat will head into the wind and practically make a safety stop. Because the rudder does not extend below the keel and the centerboard is retractable, the boat can easily be beached. New boats are exclusively built by Beetle, Inc. in Wareham, Massachusetts starting at $23,995.00. All parts and accessories for these boats are still available to this day and can be ordered on Beeltecat.com.
Asking price for “PEARL” $7,000.00 with new trailer. Trailer title in hand.