The MINI-CAT was designed to bring some of the newer speed features of the larger, second generation racing catamarans to a smaller sized cat that can be conveniently car-topped to the water. With light-weight, 65-pound hulls, two position rudders for easy beaching and one-man set-up capability, the MINI-CAT is one of the simplest and by far the cheapest catamarans to get sailing.

Under sail, we’ve found the MINI-CAT to be a delightfully faithful performer, dependable to take if you do things right, and in a gust, she’s fast enough to throw water off her bows like she’s coming out of a fire hose. We like her because she’s both docile and exciting—and a good boat for beginners and veteran sailors alike.

Hull building is simple, using ¼” plywood sides and solid lumber stock hull tops and bottoms, so you don’t need stringers and the number of screws needed is cut in half. The building process is simple: First one pair of plywood side panels is joined together and then attached to one edge of the hull top. Then the solid lumber bulkheads and transom are attached to the hull top and side. The hull bottom and bow nose piece are then attached. Finally, the opposite hull side plywood panels are attached, after sealing steps are completed.