12' Catspaw Dinghy

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These plans have evolved from some modifications made by Joel White and WoodenBoat on the design of a Herreshoff Columbia model lapstrake dinghy now in the collection of Mystic Seaport Museum. Plans for the original 11 ½′ version were published in Building the Herreshoff Dinghy by Barry Thomas and were the basis for this 10% enlargement.

Spencer Lincoln

Particulars

Because lapstrake boats are vulnerable to plank damage when used as beach boats on rocky Maine shores, it was decided to go to smooth-planked carvel construction, with the plank thickness increased from 3/8″ to 1/2″. A pivoted centerboard was adapted so that the board could strike bot­tom without harm to itself or the trunk. A single boomless sprit rig gave the boat shorter spars and gave the crew less aggravation.

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