How Far We've Come

 

  The footage above is what started my thoughts on building and eventually buying this model of boat. As a matter of fact that's the very boat you've seen in these pages. This was during her debut at the 2011 Rend Lake Messabout. The very same where she was fresh from the builder yard, was sailed with her designer aboard and made history as the sailing prototype. Seeing it new means we can look back at the changes that were done to the vessel over the years. It won't be an exhaustive list but as the current owner I'll hit the highlights. I think a numbered list should do it. 

1. Colors-The tabernacle and main hatch are white. Both are bare wood now. The side decks are bare wood and are painted today. The paint scheme remains the same but the color is now a navy blue with buff accents. 
2. Sail Attachment-The sail here is attached as per plan, simple rope loops. Currently the boat sports a spiral luff attachment that is adjustable. 
3. Mast Tabernacle-I can't be certain but I believe the pivoting tabernacle was a later upgrade. Jim actually has a whole post on this. But it does make it far easier to set the mast. 
4. Motor-Here you see the original 1954 Evinrude Lightwin that originally equipped the boat. We're electric powered currently. 
5. Sail Size-Original polytarp sail of 136sqft. Kat Boat sports a wonderful tanbark 145sqft today.

Those are just the things you can see. I can tell you the lamp cord electrical system has been updated. Benches and hatches improved. But she still cuts through the water just as well. Notice how the foot of the bow is out of the water. That makes for a wonderful smooth ride. The bow will cut waves the boat can't go over. 

 It's nice to look back on his boats life. It's documentation throughout it's career means better work moving forward. Mike did a find build and I hope it continues to get better as the years progress. 

Mike S. and I in Beaver, Utah where I took over as caretaker for the FatCat 2 prototype.