Curiouser and Curiourser

Michalak boats at the 2009 Rend Lake Messabout, Rend Lake IL.

 In the lead up to building my FatCat2 I reached out to to one of the only other known builders of the craft on Facebook. I figured he could tell me a bit more about the vessel I had decided to build and what it was like to sail. I never expected to learn that he had moved and was considering parting with what the designer called the prototype! After a very serious amount of deliberation lasting approximately two second I decided to begin talks on the possibility of me acquiring the the boat.
 I'm pleased to say that today I've entered into a gentleman's agreement with the owner to take command sometime this early fall with hopes for a few sails before the weather turns. It will be traveling from sunny Las Vegas, Nevada to reside here under the Big Sky.

2009 and the FatCat2 prototype was splashed at the Rend Lake Messabout.

Second year at Rend Lake. New Dacron sail, gallows and a 2hp Evinrude.

2011 and third time is the charm at Rend Lake.

2012 and full sail.

Between outings at Rend Lake 2013.

2014 and still looking pretty. Notice the winch to help with raising the mast.

 I also stumbled across the build blog for the craft. There were no pictures remaining and I had to use the Internet Wayback Machine to do it but it was really cool reading about how the boat was built and a few of the obstacles that had to be overcome. A cracking good read as Tom Cunliffe might say.
This does mean selling Lido #1280 but it's a good time for that too. Tonight, or rather early this morning I'll be picking up a new boom and getting that boat ready for sale. Bittersweet but time. I'm sure I'll get a few more Lido sails in this summer but it's time for something that's not a slightly high strung, two crew thoroughbred.
In the conversations I've had and the very few videos I've found everything seems to point to a cruiser in the FatCat2. There is the space of a twin bed up front. Room to put a grill on the back. Space enough for a portacastle for longer distances. I see no reason why two people with the ability to share close quarters couldn't have a good weekend afloat in the boat. And since that's what I need we seem to have fit the bill.
 Currently we're finishing up some mid season work on the Piccup and come August we'll hit the water once more. We've filled in weak areas on the hull, repainted, added a skeg and will be remaking the mizzen.