17'1" Wittholz Catboat

Description

The 17'1" Wittholz Catboat is a classic, V-bottomed plywood cruiser designed by renowned naval architect Charles Wittholz in the early 1960s. This beamy, single-masted catboat emphasizes simplicity, seaworthiness, and comfort for short coastal cruises or overnighting, accommodating two people in a compact cabin. It's a versatile pocket cruiser ideal for single-handed sailing, with options for gaff or Marconi rigging and a centerboard or fixed keel. Plans are available for amateur builders, and a fiberglass production version was briefly made by Cape Cod Shipbuilding in the 1970s. It's praised for its good looks, safety, and forgiving nature, making it suitable for bays, lakes, or protected coastal waters. Charles Wittholz (1919–2007), a prolific designer with a 50-year career, studied naval architecture at the University of Michigan and MIT. He worked for legends like John Alden and Philip Rhodes before freelancing, creating hundreds of sail and power boats, including catboats and trawlers. The 17'1" Catboat was designed as an accessible plywood build for recreational sailors,