Tom Cat being built by Gregg H

[Alan Peck]

Gregg H. Are you out there? I have a copy of an old post by Gregg H who is building the Tom Cat by William Garden. The post was in February 2007.

Gregg H are you out there? Would love to hear about progress with your Tom Cat. The old post showed some fine workmanship. We need to see more.

Thanks

[GregH]

WOW! I din't think anyone remembered!!! thanks for the compliment Alan.

I'm afraid my boat building has been on hold for some time- since early last fall actually. Two reasons for this: first, as you could see from some of the last photos, the hull is too big for my present garage...er, workshop. So I disassmebled the whole strongback/molds structure, and they are stored away, awaiting a new and larger "real" workshop. And that relates to the second reason: my wife and I have been in the process of cleaning out 32 years in the same house, in preparation for a move to Texas. Alan, your post is really a coincedence, since just this past Monday, our realtor called to tell us that our house is SOLD!!!! We will be heading to Texas in about 2 weeks to select a new home, where I will have my dream workshop built- 28'X34'- it's already planned out.

So come this winter, I should be back in the boat building business!!!

Thanks for asking Alan-- I'll post some new pix then

Greg

[Alan Peck]

Greg: Thanks, I was hoping you were still out there on the Forum. I understand how life gets in the way of boatbuilding. It took me 5 years to build a 15' runabout.

I am enthused about starting on the Tom Cat, but I too have space issues. I built my last boat under a canvas shelter and I really don't want to do that again.

Best wishes on your new home and workshop. Please send some pictures after you get started again.

By the way, where in Texas are you moving to? My daughter lives in San Antonio and we get out there once in a while.

Alan

[Shane.seadreamer]

Hello all,
I am new to all this boat building forum stuff, but I hope you can help.
I was attempting to build a Fenwick Williams Catboat but in order to try a few ideas out I am building a strip version of "Tomcat".
I am seeking info of any kind, particularly construction photos, from anyone who would be kind enough to send them to me.
There is a beautiful F.W. 18ft Catboat built out here at Duckflat Wooden Boats. It's a big project isn't it?
Anyway any advice would be appreciated.
thanks
Shane shane.seadreamer@gmail.com

[JimD]

Hello all,
...It's a big project isn't it?
Anyway any advice would be appreciated.
thanks
Shane shane.seadreamer@gmail.com

Have you already started the Tom Cat? If not you might want to try something even smaller to gain some experience on, and then eventually tow it behind the 18er. Just a thought.

[Alex Low]

Here is the build I was involved with:

www.dc004.com/oct.html (http://www.dc004.com/oct.html)

Alex

[Alan Peck]

Alex: thanks for the link to the building of Tom Cat. I remember studying the photos in detail when you first posted the pictures. A great looking job.

I have been seriously considering the Tom Cat for over a year now. But I still have a nagging question about the Cat Boat mast.

I have owned small sloops in the past and since I will have to dry sail anything I build, the sloop rig, having shrouds (side stays) can be fitted with a mast tabernacle (hinge) since the mast can be solely supported by the stays.

With the catboat, however, side stays don't work(?) so the mast has to be supported by the deck opening and the step. Therefore, the mast has to be lifted and dropped vertically in place. Since I often sail alone, and as I mentioned I will have to keep the boat on a trailer, how difficult is it to step a mast such as the Tom Cat's single handed? If this is not practical, I may have to (reluctantly) look for a boat with a sloop rig instead. Any thoughts on this, based on your experience with the Tom Cat would be greatly appreciated.

[Alex Low]

Hey Alan,


If you build the mast out of Sitka, and use the birds mouth method, you will easily be able to step the mast single handed. The solid Fir spar we made, is heavy, but can be stepped by 1.5 people. You just need help steadying the solid fir... hollow spruce would be relatively easy.

Alex

[Dave Lesser]

Here are some photos of a Tom Cat that we built at the WoodenBoat School last year. It was a fun project and should be a great boat.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdlesser/sets/72157601660141886/detail/

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1192/1236913476_44e10b0753.jpg

[GregH]

Dave- Great set of photos.. great looking boat too!! Glad to see someone use the composite method for the hull- how many layers, what thickness, etc?

Alan- I too will be incorporating a tabernacle, since my boat will also be dry-sailed. Additionally, I want to try a solid "tree" mast, so it will be heavy- a friend has 5 acres of forest in northern Wisconsin, and everytime I visit, all I see are masts!

[Dave Lesser]

Greg - the hull was 3 layers. The veneers were 1/8" as I recall. The first 2 layers were a mix of western red cedar and Spanish cedar (whatever was on hand), and the 3rd layer was doug fir.

[Ed Armstrong]

Dave -- Very nice build sequence. Thanks.