Ron Hotchin and Catbird 16

[Dennis Marshall]

Hi, Ron. I have been reading previous posts on the Catbird 16 with interest. You wouldn't happen to have any pics would ya? How 'bout an evaluation of plans and building process?

Thanks,

Dennis

[Ron Hotchin]

Sorry, I don't have any pictures, I'm too much of a Luddite to even own a camera! The boat is going together well, but I've made quite a few changes. The plans are pretty basic, but most of the info is there, and Karl Stambaugh was good in responding when I had a couple of questions. There is virtually no info on construction techniques compared with, for example, the B&B plans for the Core 17. I think it's going to be a very pretty boat; certainly anyone who has dropped by has admired the lines. If it sails as well as it looks, I'll be happy. The changes I've made are:
- Frames are cross-lapped 3/4" tamarack instead of 1/2" ply. A bit more substantial to attach things to, and no exposed ply side grain. Tamarack is also quite stiff and has good rot resistance.
- Balanced lug rig instead of sprit, reducing the masts from 21 foot to 14 foot which allows them to fit in the boat in one piece. It also allows the sails to be raised or lowered while on the water. Todd Bradshaw was a great help in this and there's a thread on it in the archives, but my eventual sail dimensions are different than his.
- Schooner cat rather than ketch, as the mizzen is now the taller and larger sail in order to maintain the CE laterally.
- Upped the sail area to 120 sq ft from 110, but was able to lower the CE by about a foot.
- Installed a third mast step just forward of the centerboard well so I can sail it with just one sail if I want. This gives a whole range of options, as the sails have reefing points as well.
- Made the stern more plumb to allow the rudder to hang more upright.
- Rounded the coaming across the front rather than having it come to a point.
- Cantilevered the seats from the sides of the frames to clear the undersides of obstructions.
- Made the floorboards in six removable panels rather than permanently attaching them to the frames.
- Did away with the decking at the transom so I can attach a small electric outboard for when I just want to putt around.
- I'm going to do the coaming with strips of ash over molds attached to the inwales so I can angle the inner part to form a bit of a backrest.
Right now I'm finishing off the inwales and deck framing; priming and painting the interior is next and then the deck and coaming will go on. It should be ready for the water by the summer, and then we'll see how it sails.
Ron

[Dennis Marshall]

Ron, thanks for the update. I appreciate it very much. The boat sounds like it will be a beauty.

I know what you mean about owning a camera. Whenever I need to take pics, I get one of those Fuji disposables and then get the pics developed in prints and put on disk.

I can't wait to hear how she sails. I hope too, that we will see a pic one day. The Balanced lug cat schooner rig sounds intriguing.

Regards,

Dennis