Herreshoff's Scout?

[Milo Christensen]

This sweet looking 18' cat ketch has really caught my eye and the boat lust is building.

The fiberglass model I ran across on craigslist (http://nmi.craigslist.org/boa/324614903.html) was built in 1974 by Nowak & Williams.

Was it ever built in wood?

Which Herreshoff designed her?

Does anyone know where to get specs and drawings?

[Uncle Duke]

Nice looking little boat!
Halsey. He helped Gary Hoyt with the original Freedom designs and did the design for the "Offshore 31" cat ketch also. The Scout is mentioned here:
http://www.everythingboats.com/catboat/forum/bbs.pl?read=952

[Milo Christensen]

Interesting. Halsey Herreshoff designed America Catboat, Eagle, Scout, Harbor Pilot and Yacht Club Launch all with the same hull?

It was probably never built in wood.

[ahp]

Many years ago I remember some advertisements for something, not a boat, but the ad used a "California Cat Ketch" as a prop. This looks like it. Is it?

[PVanderwaart]

There is a V-bottom design with a similar rig here: http://www.cmdboats.com/catbird18.htm?cart_id=d2c5dbc6088ee5703baa15c9acbd e183
If you like the open arrangement, you could approach them about drawing it up for you.

[michigangeorge]

Take a close look at the under sail photo and imagine her rigged as a catboat - as she was originally designed. I think you will realize the cat ketch rig is lacking in area needed to push this heavy hull. I have sailed the 'Eagle' version and it was a real dog in light air and did not balance well when reefed in heavy air. Nice cocktail cruiser on a quiet inland lake though.

[Uncle Duke]

I have sailed the 'Eagle' version and it was a real dog in light air
Out of curiosity, did the one you sail have the optional topsail?

[michigangeorge]

Out of curiosity, did the one you sail have the optional topsail?

yes, it did, and I think a Beetle Cat would blow by it. I do not have an answer to why this seemed to be such a sluggish hull but it was. I also think the Scout concept was neat but I prefer to actually sail a fast responsive boat. There is a Harbor Pilot launch locally which is a very attractive boat and the best use of this hull IMHO.

[rbgarr]

There was one of those hulls for sale online not long ago that was rigged as a motor launch with a well on centerline ahead of the rudder which in turn was operated by a side tiller. Pretty simple rig.

[rbgarr]

Here's one of the Harbor Pilots on Craigslist/Cape Cod: http://capecod.craigslist.org/boa/328360853.html

[Dave Thibodeau]

Yes Halsey Herreshoff designed the five-in-one 18' hull and the Scout was one of them

I owned an Eagle and not only had a top sail [I] actually set it on a yard as in the original Herreshoff plans but the boat was a real dog of a sailer regardless of what I did