Arnie Eaton Posted March 25, 2004 Posted March 25, 2004 Has anyone made the instant catboat designed by Harold Payson? I have had the book for a number of years now and recently started to think another boat to build. My Vacationer is almost done and with still 17 sheets of AB Marine 1/4 plywood on hand this boat would use 10 of them. A very nice looking boat made the "Tack and Tape" method. I have some experience with this method while making a D-4 dingy. Anyway if you have made this boat, I would like to hear of any problems, good or bad. Quote
Charlie Jones Posted March 26, 2004 Posted March 26, 2004 I have a good friend in Mississippi who built and sails a Bobcat. Pretty neat boat. I've admired the design for quite some time now. One point- it was designed by Phil Bolger- Dynamite only builds 'em- Bolger design's 'em Email me directly and I'll put you in touch with the guy in Mississipi. Quote
Greg Luckett Posted March 29, 2004 Posted March 29, 2004 I thought, "Cool, I have the book!". Payson's Build the New Instant Boats. Alas, no Bobcat design in it. Do you happen to know which book has the design, or how plans (maybe?) not in one of his books are obtained? Thanks. Quote
Charlie Jones Posted March 29, 2004 Posted March 29, 2004 Greg- Bobcat is in a separate book devoted to that boat. While it's called "Build the Instant Catboat" it isn't one of the real "instant boats" The boat is a really neat one, but it's a little bit more difficult than the instant boats are- worth it though I think- I've got the plans book also. I've wanted to build one for years- just never had the occasion- yet!! Payson has a website where he sells all the plans and books, etc. here's the link to Payson's homepage. The books are listed there. http://www.instantboats.com/ Quote
Phil Gowans Posted March 29, 2004 Posted March 29, 2004 I was hoping to hear from some builders. I guess I'm about as close as you're going to get Arnie. I considered this boat, but only got as far as the model. Here's my bobcat: I think it would be great boat for kids, but I'm a little old for that cockpit. I wanted something with a real seat. I could see my knees locking up and having miles to go to dock. Building the ballest in the swing keel also made me a bit nervous, but after all I've been through I think I could handle that. Quote
Greg Luckett Posted March 30, 2004 Posted March 30, 2004 Ok, just got back from Payson's web site. No Bobcat plans or book listed. Any suggestions? Thanks, Greg. Quote
rolandblais Posted March 30, 2004 Posted March 30, 2004 Check here: http://www.instantboats.com/tinycat.htm It's also called the "Tinycat". Peace, Roland Quote
Arnie Eaton Posted March 30, 2004 Author Posted March 30, 2004 Greg, go back to the website and click on "BOOKS" at the top. It is listed. Quote
Greg Luckett Posted March 30, 2004 Posted March 30, 2004 Arnie, As I said, I already did that. There is a Cat boat book listed, but not the Bobcat. Does it have an alias? Is the Instant Catboat also the Bobcat? There are at least a couple more cat boats in the plans section. Greg. Quote
rolandblais Posted March 30, 2004 Posted March 30, 2004 Greg, the link for the "tinycat" in my previous post is titled: Tiny Cat (or Bobcat) Inspired by the famous Beetle cats. I think it would be safe to assume that the tinycat=bobcat. The book that the plans are in is "Build The Instant Cat Boat" I don't know if its available from H.H. Payson as specified on thier webpage, but the book is out of stock @ amazon.com, unavailable @ barnes&noble.com, and I only found 1 copy @ abebooks.com. I'll not buy it yet in case you want it - I won't be building any *other* boats just yet... Quote
Greg Luckett Posted March 30, 2004 Posted March 30, 2004 Roland, I did not see that you had furnished a different link. This page was not at the link which Charlie provided, or at least I could not find it when clicking on the different page connections. Thanks. And you are right, based on the information, Tinycat = Bobcat. Wish I had found that page to begin with. :? Now I wonder why I was unable to do so. Arrggh. Damn chest conjestion has me grumpy....sorry. Quote
Greg Luckett Posted March 30, 2004 Posted March 30, 2004 Now I know how you found it. Not via the books link at all, but via the Plans link, then if you know in advance that Tinycat is the one, link on it of just stumble onto it, and bingo....the web page showing the Tinycat is the Bobcat.....confusion cleared up......thanks. I like that wallpaper background too. Greg. Quote
Greg Luckett Posted March 30, 2004 Posted March 30, 2004 Any idea how she rows, or motors? She is an interesting boat. Twelve foot by 6 is a handy size too. Phil, where did you learn to model, it looks really nice. I noticed a book on the Payson site for modeling. Quote
Greg Luckett Posted March 31, 2004 Posted March 31, 2004 Ok, I have been exploring all the links to this boat. Pretty neat boat and tempting to build one. I have decided to buy the book and the one on modeling too. Quote
Charlie Jones Posted March 31, 2004 Posted March 31, 2004 Greg- it IS on the site I provided- under books- it's the forth one down "Building the Instant Catboat" as I said in my post I've never sailed ON one, but I've sailed along with one. Sailed well. He uses it for fishing and camping. It's one of those boats that about twice as big on the inside as it is on the outside Carries a TON of gear. Here's the best shots I personally have of the boat. These were taken late one afternoon sailing on the Escatawpa River in southern Mississippi. Just out of Pascagoula in fact. Again- if you want to talk to the guy about his boat, email me and I'll put you in touch with him- he dearly loves his I can tell you that for sure. [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin] Quote
Greg Luckett Posted March 31, 2004 Posted March 31, 2004 Yes Charlie, thankyou. I was focused on looking for "Bobcat". The book link does not mention that. When I saw "Tinycat" it seemed to be referencing a different boat. When looking through the rest of the site there was nothing referencing Bobcat, unless the link in the plans section was clicked for the Tinycat. I did see that you said it was listed as "Build The Instant Catboat", but was thrown off the track by it saying Tinycat. Anyway, thanks to you, Arnie, and Roland for guiding me to the right place. Have you checked out the "links" path on Payson's site for the Bobcat? There are some pretty good pictures, including construction steps. This would be a great boat on the rivers and lakes (not the big lake) here. Incidently, why Tinycat instead of Bobcat? Just curious. Quote
Greg Luckett Posted March 31, 2004 Posted March 31, 2004 Charlie, Your note about the interior space in the Bobcat is a main reason I became interested in catboats. I saw a bigger one, well known type but cannot recall the name, only about 22 feet or so, but huge inside. Lots of beam on a catboat. I lived in Gulfport, MS for 3 years and canoed on that river by Pascagula, but mostly on the Wolf River near Gulfport. Some really good fishing in the back bay areas near Biloxi and Ocean Springs too. Greg. Quote
rolandblais Posted March 31, 2004 Posted March 31, 2004 I was stationed in Biloxi for several months back in '86. One of my favorite weekend things was to rent a boat from the base and explore all around the area. We did that almost every weekend. Good memories of that place... Quote
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