15' Bolger NY Catboat (1984) - CACTUS WREN

Phil Bolger describes it this way: “I designed Brad Story a catboat that can be rowed fast and far, relatively speaking, and incidentally produced one that doesn’t need as big a sail plan as the usual hard-bilged Cape model; she’s more on the New York model, the kind that developed into the sandbaggers. I call this a really sweet model, fair and easy, no great problems to frame and plank.” Perfect for cold-molding which was a new technique at the time.

We have raised two daughters trailer sailing on all three coasts. Now she is introducing sailing to grandchildren and entertaining us at Wednesday Night Races in the Harbor with occasional trips to Maine. A wonderful boat.
Ref: Chapter 22 Bolger’s “The Folding Schooner”
Ref: WoodenBoat’s “Boat Design Quarterly” No.41, by Mike O’Brien

Construction:
3 layers of 1/8” western Red Cedar, 6 oz fiberglas cloth inside & out
Solid Mahogany floors, transom and rails; Spruce mast; D. Fir gaff & boom Decks: epoxy saturated plywood, painted canvas in mastic
Motor mount on transom for electric or 3 hp.
Oars: 10’ Alaskan Yellow Cedar that stow below side decks
Sail by Hogan Sails, Alameda, CA
Builder: Guy Hamman in Casa Grande, AZ 1984
New Centerboard by Bill Mills 2023
Doesn’t leak a drop. Lives on mooring summers; Travels on trailer, Excellent camp cruiser, beach cruiser, day sailor. Never pounds…
Cuddy w/ sliding hatch to store stuff & kids…
Custom Sunbrella sail & cockpit covers
New 3800# capacity trailer w/ custom curved supports 2025

Bill & Karen Rutherford
[email protected]