THE WoodPussy CAT BOAT
 The
WoodPussy Cat Boat started life as a classic 13½’ cat boat designed by Philip
Rhodes in the mid forties. Originally built in wooden rib and plank
construction, it made the transition to fiber-glass in the latter half
of the fifties. The evolution continued in the sixties as decaying
wooden spars were replaced with aluminum.
With a 6' beam, 130 sq. ft.
of sail, and a modern rig, the WoodPussy cat boat combines the qualities of a
comfortable daysailer and an exciting racer. In light to moderate air,
it is an easy-to-sail, stable platform that can comfortably accommodate
4 adults for a day or evening outing. With a one- or two-person crew it
can provide a demanding racing experience in conditions ranging from a
drifter to a blow.
These qualities made the WoodPussy
very popular in it's heyday from the '40s thru the '60s. Along with a
virtually indestructible fiberglass hull, they have kept interest alive
during the latter third of the 20th Century and are sparking a
Renaissance of enthusiasm in the 21st Century.
THE USWPCA
class link
è
This is the official site of
the United-States WoodPussy Class Association (USWPCA). The following
excerpt from the
USWPCA Constitution and By-Laws
summarizes its purpose.
The object of this Association shall be to:
-
promote and develop racing in WoodPussy Class
Boats;
-
formulate rules governing the racing of boats of
this class;
-
exercise jurisdiction over all WoodPussy Class
activities; and
-
enforce [...] this jurisdiction.
It shall be the policy of this
Association to keep the cost of owning a WoodPussy Class
Boat within the reach of
individuals of moderate means.
OFFICERS & CONTRIBUTORS to the USWPCA
The
Association
Executive Committee consists of elected and appointed officials from
the Clubs
that have chartered WoodPussy fleets. These
individuals currently are drawn from the small coterie of enthusiasts
who have kept WP racing alive during the 30 year Interregnum.
Three Contributors are playing a significant role in revitalizing the
WoodPussy Class.
-
Jeff Jacobi, in addition to serving as Class Commodore, has been
the driving force behind the revival of the Class Association. In
addition to shepherding its incorporation and recognition by US
Sailing, he has produced the class documents which bundled together
form the (Handbook
& Log, which contains the class Constitution, By-Laws and
Specifications along with class resources, fleet log, class history,
regatta results and class officers.)
- Tony
DEloia of Long Island has been doing an excellent job of
coordinating potential owners, sellers, builders, suppliers, friends
of the Class and interested bystanders. Tony has also been
spearheading the effort to regenerate WoodPussys on Long Island.
THE WoodPussy CAT BOAT RENAISSANCE
by Tony DEloia
Long Island
631-368-6143 e/mail
santone@optonline.net
THE WoodPussy CAT BOAT RENAISSANCE
by Tony DEloia
Long Island
631-368-6143 e/mail
santone@optonline.net
The largest existing fleet is at the Monmouth
Boat Club (MBC) in NJ. The Shrewsbury Sailing & Yacht Club fleet (SS&YC)
has been revived and has a growing number of boats. The Crystal Lake
Yacht Club (CLYC) in Frankfort Michigan with their aggressive rebuilding
program has 12-14 boats sailing and racing on Crystal Lake.
The North East WoodPussy Association (NEWPA) was
formed, and is based at the Kokopelli Yacht Club (Oak Island – Long
Island NY). NEWPA received its fleet charter from the USWPCA and held an
inaugural meeting on
February
11, 2006. Bill Madsen was elected as the first Fleet Captain. Long
Island has identified 11 WoodPussys for its extended fleet. This
includes Shelter Island, Hamden Ct., Nyack NY, and Mattapoisett Ma. The
Madsen family acquired its second Marscott and sails both at their OAK
ISLAND summer home. They’ve held invitational Events for WoodPussys and
classic boat owners in 2005 & 2006.
Since it has become impossible to locate
additional boats for restoration, and current owners won't part with
them, boats are being built again, utilizing both fiberglass and
cold-molded construction methods.
September 2005, Cat Boat Association Regatta
on the
Great South Bay
Early Morning, Crystal Lake Michigan, 2005
|
© 2006 Task
Force Media Productions
WP CAT BOATS .COM 
![[Under Construction]](images/undercon.gif)
![[New!]](images/smallnew.gif){kind=small}
the 60 year old Philip Rhodes Design gets a
makeover
