The Crosby Catboat Breck Marshall

Traditional boat building at Mystic Seaport

Barry Thomas documents her traditional construction in his book
Building the Crosby Catboat. Because of their hull form, the pine planking used
in other work boats of this vintage is not strong enough."Cypress planking is essential" he says, just as the Crosby's built them.

They still have quite a following, especially down on Cape Cod, and many builders are actively turning them out. This one's name was given in tribute to the Marshall Marine Co., of South Dartmouth and it's founder Breckinridge Marshall.

Boat building plans are available from Ship's Plans at Mystic Seaport Museum. She's available for tours at the boathouse.

What's the difference between a Catboat and a Cat-Rig?

The catboat grew out work-boats once popular in the late 1800s. From Narragansett northwards to Buzzards Bay, there were a number of varieties of very able boats. Marked by a plumb stem and transom, their beam grew to be nearly half their length. The mast was stepped well up in the "eyes" and carried a single large gaff-rigged sail.

Today any boat, regardless of it's hull form, that is fitted with a single sail can be called a cat-rig