Arey's Pond 12' Kitten, Owner'S Manual, Page: 2 / 10

I. INTRODUCTION
The History of Catboats
The catboat is an American-designed sailboat that has been constructed by boat builders on the eastern
seaboard since before the 1850’s. This sailboat was originally designed for use as a commercial fishing
vessel and elements of its design were geared towards stability and seaworthiness. By the 1870’s, catboat
designs had evolved to support use of these vessels as both pleasure and racing boats. Early catboats were
mainly found in three areas on the eastern coast: the lower New York Bay and northern New Jersey
seashore; the Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island; and the Massachusetts Bay and Cape Cod. In the
present day, catboats are still prevalent in these areas but are also found extensively in other areas,
including the Gulf of Mexico and the Seattle area.
Catboats generally range in length from twelve to thirty feet. However, catboats up to 42’ have been built,
including a cruising catboat designed by Charles Mower with a length of 40’ on deck. Catboats have the
distinguishing qualities of being shoal draft with a beam that is approximately half of the length, and have
a single mast far forward with a boom that extends to the rudder to balance the boat. Most catboats have
centerboards, yet keel designs do exist. The history of the catboat is an important part of the evolution of
American yacht design, and modern catboat designs have not strayed far from the originals. For a
comprehensive history of the catboat, please refer to The Catboat Book, edited by John M. Leavins and
published for the Catboat Association by the International Marine Publishing company, Camden. Maine.
The Arey’s Pond Catboat
The original Arey’s Pond Catboat, the 14’ “Cat”, is based on a traditional wooden catboat that was very
popular in the Narragansett Bay area in the early 1900’s. One of the few remaining of these wooden boats
was sailed in Pleasant Bay in the late 1960’s. In 1971, Arey’s Pond Boat Yard developed a mold similar in
shape to the hull of that wooden catboat, but with alterations to shear, bow, and stern. In addition, new
layouts for the deck and cockpit were devised. Arey’s Pond Boat Yard also developed the 12’ “Kitten”, a
fiberglass-hulled catboat similar in looks to the wooden “Beetle” built by Concordia. These custom
designs combined the features of a low-maintenance fiberglass hull with the beauty of the traditional
wooden mast, boom, gaff, and trim.
Other models include the 16’ Lynx, which has a cuddy cabin with two 6’ 2” berths and room for a porta-
pottie. The Open 16’ Lynx is a glorified 14’ with room for six to sail comfortably. And we have designed a
20’ Cruising Cat based on those seen in Nantucket at the turn of the century .
The first Arey’s Pond Catboat was sold in 1972. During the interim, many modifications have been made.
A second 14’ hull mold was made in 1980 and a third mold was made in 1991 to maintain the high quality
and integrity of each new catboat built by the yard. As of the beginning of 2002, Arey’s Pond Boat Yard
has proudly custom-built 211 “Cats”, 32 “Kittens”, and 22 “Lynxs”.
Arey’s Pond Boat Yard
Arey’s Pond Boat Yard is located on Arey’s Pond off of Little Pleasant Bay in South Orleans,
Massachusetts. It has been a landing site for boats dating back to the 1600’s. In December of 1626, the
English ketch Sparrowhawk was headed for Virginia with passengers and their belongings when, in a
winter storm, she floundered off Nauset Beach and was driven into Pleasant Bay. A volunteer party, led
by Governor William Bradford of the Plymouth colony, sailed down the coast to Manskaket Creek and
portaged the necessary supplies and repair equipment to the shores of what is now known as Arey’s Pond.
Local Native Americans aided the party as they proceeded, in dug-out canoes, across Arey’s Pond, out the
Namequoit River, and over to the beached ship. Some say that on a still winter night you can hear the
ghosts of Governor Bradford and his relief party as they cross the pond on their way to the
Sparrowhawk.