marsh cat sailboat for sale

Boat Profile

The Marsh Cat

Everything from gunkholing to open-water sailing

From Issue   Small Boats Annual 2016 June 2015

I had spent a long time looking for a boat that I could build to sail the waters of Chesapeake Bay and beyond. The boat would need to be able to carry four for daysailing, accommodate two for camp-cruising for up to two weeks, offer good sailing performance, have a shallow draft for exploring backwaters, and carry a small outboard for auxiliary power. It had to be small enough to be built and stored in a two-car garage, easily trailered, simple enough to be built in a reasonable amount of time, quick and easy to rig at the launch ramp, and have the good looks of a classic wooden boat. Although my list of requirements seemed to grow as I browsed through books of boat plans, my focus narrowed down to catboats. Their generous beam, sometimes almost half their length, offers lots of room, and their single sail is as simple as rigs get. In the book Forty Wooden Boats , I finally found the boat I wanted to build, the Marsh Cat by Joel White.

The Marsh Cat’s broad beam makes the cockpit sole wide enough to sleep two flanking the centerboard trunk. A boom tent provides cover.

At 15′ long and with a beam of 6′11″, the Marsh Cat has a spacious cockpit. With that much breadth, there would be ample room for sleeping comfortably on the floorboards on either side of the centerboard case. The 152-sq-ft sail set on a high-peaked gaff rig supplies the power. The 1,309-lb displacement assures easy trailering and launching, and the 9″ draft, with the centerboard up, makes exploration of the Chesapeake Bay’s shallow estuaries possible. The plans from The WoodenBoat Store offered all the detail needed for a first-time builder. The full-sized patterns for molds, stem, and transom eliminate the need for lofting.

Sailed level, the Marsh Cat has very little weather helm and can clip along at 5 to 6 knots.

The round-bilged hull can be cold-molded, or carvel-, lapstrake-, or strip-planked. I chose to strip-plank the hull with 5/8″ x 1″ western red-cedar strips. The hull is constructed upside down on a strongback supporting molds cut from 5/8″ OSB (oriented-strand board). The keel gets laminated in place over the molds, and the 1 ¼″ mahogany transom and laminated stem are secured to it. Starting at the sheer, I sprang the cedar strips around the molds and attached their ends to the stem and transom with bronze wood screws. I started with bead-and-cove strips, which nest together edgewise on the curving sections of a hull. but eventually I switched to making them with a rectangular cross-section, which saved time and wasted less material in the milling process; the rectangular-sectioned strips also seemed easier to bend. There are no tight curves in the hull, so the gaps between strips were minimal and easily filled themselves with the epoxy that squeezed out as I glued them in place.

With all of the strips in place, I removed the drips and runs of cured epoxy from the hull with a heat gun and scraper. I cut the centerboard slot, faired the hull, and ’glassed the exterior with 10-oz fiberglass cloth for a low-maintenance, watertight structure. The outer keel was then attached with epoxy and bronze screws. Priming and painting the hull revealed the sweet lines Joel had drawn. After turning the hull over I gave the interior the same cleaning, fairing, and ’glassing. I spiled, laminated, and installed the sheer clamps, then built the centerboard trunk with ¾″ okoume plywood sides and Douglas-fir head ledges. The molds used to form the hull served as patterns for the floors that I set in the hull with epoxy and fiberglass. The laminated Douglas-fir deckbeams, set in notches cut in the sheer clamps, were canted slightly from vertical and set square to the deck so the top faces wouldn’t have to be beveled. The ½″ okoume plywood deck easily took to the slight compound curve created by the deckbeams, a great relief. I laminated the coaming with three 1/8″ x 8″ mahogany pieces sprung into place; after the epoxy cured I removed the lamination and cut it to shape before installing it permanently. For the floorboards I chose ipe, a dense hardwood that is very durable but equally hard to work; I took great pains to install them with the holes for the screws drilled, countersunk, and plugged.

A fter I’d finished the boat, I turned my attention to the spars and rigging. I used Sitka spruce for the spars, but there’s no reason Douglas-fir couldn’t be used; there are valid arguments for both and, in my opinion, either is fine. When money is more important than shaving ounces, Douglas-fir is the less expensive option, with the added benefit of being more durable. I ordered my sail from Stuart Hopkins of Dabbler Sails , a company specializing in classic small-boat sails. The running rigging is all Sta-Set, a braided polyester line with low stretch, and the standing rigging is 3/16″ stainless-steel 1 x 19 wire with Sta-Lok terminals. If I had it to do over again I would use 5/32″ wire and terminals to save a little weight.

After 800 hours of work, my Marsh Cat was ready for launching. My wife Teresa and I trailered the boat to St. Michaels, Maryland, for its shakedown voyage. After arriving at the ramp we spent a long time rigging the boat, only because we were constantly interrupted by lookers-on with lots of questions and compliments. I backed the trailer down the ramp and LITTLE T slid effortlessly off the trailer into the water. After my usual scramble to secure the forgotten drain plugs, two of them, it was a relief seeing that she floated on her lines.

With a reef in her 152-sq-ft sail for a fresh breeze, LITTLE T’s 9″ draft allowed her to take a break in some thin but well protected water.

It was a hot, humid summer day without a whisper of wind, and we motored the newly christened LITTLE T around the St. Michaels harbor and past the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Several people shouted their approval from the shoreline, adding to our already swelling sense of accomplishment. As the day progressed, the clouds began to build and a breeze finally showed up. We raised the sail and were sailing at last, but the skies soon turned black and the wind increased markedly. We should have taken cover in a cove and waited out the storm, but we opted to travel out into the open Miles River with 6 miles to go to get back to the ramp. LITTLE T was really going to get a test. The wind howled and a torrent of rain came down. We bailed constantly to keep up with the rainwater pouring off the sail and into the boat. We made it back to the ramp in about an hour, glad that the maiden voyage and sea trial was over. The conditions for our first outing were quite challenging, but the Marsh Cat came through with flying colors.

It has now been six years since that initial launching, I have sailed my Marsh Cat about 4,000 miles, and in that time have gained a great deal of respect for the boat’s abilities. Catboats are known for their weather helm in stiff winds, and the Marsh Cat is not immune to this, but with a little experience and a proper reefing schedule it can be minimized. The Cat likes to sail level and the weather helm is all but eliminated when it is. With a single reef and a slackening of the mainsheet in gusts, it remains docile and in control in winds of about 14 knots. As the wind builds to about 18 knots, it’s time for the second reef. Above 25 knots, it’s time to head for the barn unless you have crew. I’ve sailed my Marsh Cat in the Florida Keys with a competent crew member aboard in 30+ knots of wind with a double reef and both of us—over 500 lbs—hiked out over the rail. In gusts we buried the leeward rail but were still in control and felt no need to return to shore. Beating into the wind, it is common to make 5.25 knots; 6.5 knots running before the wind. I have seen peaks of 9 knots surfing down waves. When the wind is down, a 2-hp outboard pushes the Marsh Cat easily to a slow cruise of 4 knots or well over 5 knots if need be.

The Marsh Cat was designed without arrangements for seating other than an expansive sole to stretch out on and a wide coaming to lean against. Some builders have added low benches.

Since early childhood, Kevin MacDonald has been involved in boating activities ranging from water skiing to offshore fishing. Small-boat sailing and camp-cruising became his water sport  of choice 8 years ago. The lack of suitable production boats for camp-cruising necessitated his building of LITTLE T.

Particulars

LOA/15′ 0⅜”

Beam/6’11”

Draft/ 8½” & 2’5″

Sail area/135 sq ft

Marsh Cat plans  are available from The WoodenBoat Store.

Is there a boat you’d like to know more about? Have you built one that you think other Small Boats Monthly readers would enjoy? Please email us!

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Lovely boat and great video!!

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an infrequent repository of mostly new stuff

Marsh Cat For Sale (sold)

at St. Michaels, Maryland 

(edit: Word from Ned is this boat now has a new owner, congrats to both.)

I’ve been writing about Marsh Cats a lot lately. The boat I sailed aboard for the Chesapeake Float to Smith Island was Pete Peter’s Marsh Cat Obadiah . Magnificent boat.

Also on that trip were Kevin McDonald in his Marsh Cat little t – the same boat that he and Mike Wick sailed from the Florida Keys to Dry Tortugas. Twice.

And also on that trip was Joe Manning in his new Marsh Cat Makani .

Another regular of these trips is Doug Oeller and his Marsh Cat Comfort , though he brought new boat this year.

These Marsh Cats have appeared consistently on all the extended camping trips and events I’ve attended over the years, and they never cease to impress me. Big, stable, comfortable, and fast. Perfect camper expedition boats, especially when you want to explore shallow creeks and shorelines, and roomy enough to camp aboard for several days at a time.

As it happens, I recently learned of one coming up for sale. Ned Asplundh has been a regular of these annual trips until recently, when health issues began to get in the way. He’s ready to sell his Marsh Cat and let it go to someone who can use it more.

 on the 2012 Chesapeake Float on the Sassafras River

I’ve photographed the boat many times over the years. When she was called  Catnip by an earlier owner, and after Ned gave her a full makeover with new bright paint and varnish. Since my latest photos were taken he’s added a hollow birdsmouth mast with stainless steel hinge. I believe she’s 8″ wider than other Marsh Cats, so would have even more room inside.

before the first makeover

My understanding is the boat is currently garage kept at a summer place in southeastern Pennsylvania, but will return back East in the Fall, so if you’re near either place you have a chance at her.

For details, you can see the ad he’s posted on catboats.org at:  Sneak Previews Cats4Sale 168 – Catboat Association, Inc. .

More photos at:  Joel White Marsh Cat | Flickr – Photo Sharing!

Or contact Ned directly at: [email protected]

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5 Replies to “Marsh Cat For Sale (sold)”

You really really ought to build one. I’ve been wondering if you will. No melonseed posts for a while… That must be a sign?

My father-in-law is looking for a boat design and wants me to help him build it. Do these (or something very similar) ever have a tiny cabin that could sleep two? Maybe he would be interested…

Hi Jayson, believe me I’ve thought about it. But I still have a Gannet in the yard to finish first.

These Marsh Cats do sleep two comfortably, along with several days worth of food and gear, but with a boom tent instead of a cabin. Usually, to get a boat with a cabin big enough for two you’re talking about a much bigger boat.

I now have mixed feelings about cabins. They seem like an awful waste of space, given that you only use them when sleeping. Hardly worth the expense and hassle of dealing with a big boat all the time. A necessity if you want to stay aboard for long periods, or typically sail in inclement weather, but for day sails and camping trips they become more a burden than a boon. There are some great cruisers out there, but most are well beyond my skills for building.

Maybe some others will chime in here with ideas or different thoughts on it.

I am enjoying the beautiful videos and posts of eyeinhand, and the comments above echo some of my current thinking. I have a nice 19′ Stuart Mariner, which combines a cabin and a large cockpit. It also sails nicely, thanks to the sweet hull of the Rhodes 19. It has a portable head inside which my wife and I have avoided using thus far, preferring the bucket or simply going ashore for such business. Cooking is best done in the cockpit. Throwing gear below is often the best use for the cabin, and our children might go below for a nap. Trailered home, the cabin is a good place to securely store sailing gear when ventilated properly. But that said, I’m leaning towards the idea of something like the Marsh Cat with a simple boom tent. Most often we will daysail, where simplicity, beauty, fun and sprawling out are prized. Overnight is a special treat, and in the temperate climes of Southern California I think a tarp over the boom would work fine for us. One more thing: small, trailerable cabin sailboats are often aesthetically wanting, in my opinion. My $0.02

Good morning, I live on the upper Chesapeake Bay and am thinking about getting a Joel White Marsh Cat. Can you put me in touch with a Marsh Cat owner/sailor on the Bay who I can talk to and – I hope – visit to see the boat? Thanks, Doug Heisler

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Big Pond Boat Shop

Custom builders of yachts, dinghies and runabouts, mahone bay, nova scotia, big pond 15 (marsh cat).

This is the 15′ Marsh Cat, designed by Joel White with some modifications by Big Pond Boat Shop. It is a big, stable, comfortable, and fast catboat!. Perfect for exploring shallow creeks and shorelines, and roomy for camp cruisers.

Design Modifications

• Adjustable Centerboard up-haul. The original design only allows for the centerboard to be all the way up or all the way down.
• Barn Door Rudder; the original design has a drop rudder, this modification has a traditional looking ‘barn door” rudder with an aluminum wing on the bottom.
• Buoyancy tanks port and starboard/ seats and forward buoyancy tank under deck
• The construction of the mast is hollow ‘birds mouth’ construction which makes a lighter stiffer mast. This boat is designed for sailing in protected waters only. People and equipment combined should not exceed 750 lbs

General Construction: Cold Moulded hull There are two aft buoyancy tanks constructed from epoxy saturated marine plywood with mahogany trim which create built in seating and there is a forward buoyancy tank under the foredeck formed by the installation of a watertight bulkhead forward of the mast. Top of the centreboard trunk, cockpit coamings, seat trim, floorboards and toe rail are varnished mahogany.

SPECIFICATIONS

Designer: Joel White

LOA 16′ 6” with bowsprit 

LWL 14′ 

Beam 6′ 11″ 

Draft Board up 9″ 

Board down 2’5″ 

Sail area 153 sq ft  

Displacement 1309 lbs

Please contact us for current pricing

Boat complete includes:

• Varnished Spruce Spars, with Harken blocks and braided dacron control lines (halyards and sheet)
• Stainless Steel forestay and shrouds with turnbuckles
• Varnished tiller with tiller extension
• Weighted foil centreboard with braided dacron control lines, Harken block and Harken cam cleat

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15' Cold Molded Catboat--MARSH CAT

Description.

Be sure to select PRINT or DIGITAL when you order.

Her 6'11" beam makes for a big 15-footer. Cold-molded (four 1/8" layers of mahogany), lightweight and trailerable.

Designed by Joel White

LOA - 15' LWL - 14' Beam - 6' 11" Draft (cb up) - 9" (cb down) - 2' 5" Displ. - 1,309 lbs. Sail Area - 152 sq. ft. Construction: Cold-molded No lofting is required Skill level: Intermediate Plans include 6 sheets.

More info: click MATERIALS LIST .

And, if you would like to see some more about building, click our RESOURCES page, and scroll to the Building Projects section. 

Here's a video on Marsh Cat from our sister publication Small Boats Monthly

And, from that Small Boats Monthly feature is this pretty photo of Marsh Cat, taken by builder Kevin McDonald. He built her using strip construction, 5/8" x 1" Western Red Cedar.

If ordering Digital plan sets: These files are in PDF format.  Some designs will have just a single page needed to be printed on large paper... typically if they had full-sized mold patterns. Other pages could be printed on letter or tabloid size paper, if you want to save printing costs. You'll see a measurement on pages that have full-sized drawings, so your local print shop will just need to print to that size.

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“Your downloads are ready” will be the subject line of an email you’ll receive from us—once we’ve processed your digital order. That email has the link to click, so you can then download the file.

This isn't an "instant" process, so if we're asleep, you may need to wait for regular business hours for us to process the order. Although we are quite timely, we may not be processing on weekends & holidays. 

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Particulars

Off center harbor's remarks.

The Marsh Cat showcases Joel White’s affinity for practical and beautiful daysailers. He liked nothing better than drawing boats that beckon sailors out in the bay for the afternoon’s sea breeze and then brings them home when things quiet down in the evening.

Description from Boat's Main Listing

This is the original cold-molded, shoal-draft 16′ Marsh Cat designed by Joel White and built by the Brooklin Boat Yard. Completely refurbished with a new sail and an excellent trailer. A perfect family daysailer sure to provide generations of pleasure on the water.

OffCenterHarbor.com is a fast-growing membership website with over 500 videos and 500 articles on boat handling, repairs, maintenance, boat building, dream boats and more.

You can CLICK HERE to learn more, and get 10 of our best videos!

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2009 Marshall manger 15 ft. catboat

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2009 Marshall manger 15 ft. catboat, Menger CATboat 15 ft. family day sailer cat 2009. solid teak trim.positive foam flotation. All bronze cleats and chocks. Forstay chain plate. Stainless steel running rigging. Lazy jacks, Harken ball bearing blocks. Sail white Dacron with one set of reef points. Bunk Trailer is included. In bristol condition. Never sailed or used. design review: $7400

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VESSEL REVIEW | Sinichka – Electric commuter boats designed for Russia’s Moskva River

A series of three new electric monohull commuter ferries have already begun operational sailings on the Moskva River in the Russian capital Moscow.

Built by Russian shipyard Emperium, sister vessels Sinichka , Filka , and Presnya – all named after rivers in Moscow – are being operated by the Moscow Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development (Moscow Deptrans). They are the first units of a planned fleet of 20 vessels that will serve the capital city and other nearby communities. The new ferry system will be the water transport system to be operated on the Moskva River in 16 years.

Each vessel has a welded aluminium hull, an LOA of 21 metres, a beam of 6.2 metres, a draught of only 1.4 metres, a displacement of 40 tonnes, and capacity for 80 passengers plus two crewmembers. Seating is available for 42 passengers on each ferry, and the main cabins are also fitted with USB charging ports, wifi connectivity, tables, toilets, and space for bicycles and scooters. The cabin layout can be rearranged to allow the operator to adjust the distances between the seats and to install armrests of varying widths.

An open upper deck is also accessible to passengers and is the only area on each ferry where smoking is allowed.

The ferries are all of modular construction with each ferry’s wheelhouse, main cabin, and other structural elements being built as complete, separate components. This enables the ferries to be easily dismantled for transport to anywhere in Russia by rail and then quickly re-assembled within seven days.

The ferries are also ice-capable. Recently completed operational trials on the Moskva showed that the vessels can also easily navigate under mild winter conditions with broken surface ice, though year-round operations are planned for the entire fleet.

The ferries are each fitted with 500kWh lithium iron phosphate battery packs that supply power to two 134kW motors. This configuration can deliver a maximum speed of 11.8 knots, a cruising speed of just under 10 knots, and a range of 150 kilometres.

Emperium said the transfer of rotation of electric motors to the propeller is carried out by direct drive. As a propulsion installation, a pulling rotary propeller-steering column with double screws is used. The installation of double pulling screws, with similar power, allows an operator to increase the efficiency of the propulsion system to deliver a slightly higher speed or to reduce energy consumption. This arrangement also provides the ferries with enhanced manoeuvrability necessary for navigating in close quarters.

The batteries themselves have projected service lives of 10 to 12 years and are fitted with safety features such as built-in fire extinguishers and gas vents. Quick-disconnect features allow the batteries to be easily removed for replacement or maintenance.

Some of our readers have expressed disquiet at our publication of reviews and articles describing new vessels from Russia. We at Baird Maritime can understand and sympathise with those views. However, despite the behaviour of the country’s leaders, we believe that the maritime world needs to learn of the latest developments in vessel design and construction there.

Click here to read other news stories, features, opinion articles, and vessel reviews as part of this month’s Passenger Vessel Week.

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Tags: Emperium Filka Moscow Moscow Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development Moskva River Presnya Russia Sinichka WBW newbuild

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Apartment 107 sqm in the OKO tower

Description

For sale 2-room apartment on the 55th floor in the OKO tower . Spacious apartments with designer finishes. Excellent view characteristics: a panoramic view of the city and the towers of the Moscow City business center. Layout: living room combined with kitchen, one bedroom, dressing room, hall. If you want to rent or buy an apartment in Moscow City, then send us an individual request!

• Property ID: HZ304
• Price: $950,000
• Property Size: 1152 Sq Ft
• Bathroom: 1
• Property Type: Apartments for Sale, Moscow City apartments
• Property Status: For Sale

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• Svetlana Panova

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