Cat Paw Dinghy
(Build Me First)

Since you reached this page I am not going to reiterate the beauty and simplicity of 'Bezier Design and Construction' over any of the other traditional artistic like True Round boatbuilding methods.

However I would like you to take pause before jumping right into building one of my larger designs, especially if you have never built a steel or aluminum hull before.

I would like you to consider getting your 'feet wet first' by building the aluminum version of the 'Catspaw Dinghy' first. This little rowing and sailing dinghy is a classic design and is ideal for first time steel or aluminum boatbuilders.

You are going to need a Dinghy anyway, are you not?

About the Catspaw Dinghy

The 'Plank on Frame' version':

From my research the weight of the base 'Plank on Frame' hull of the Catspaw Dinghy is between 150. while the sailing version would be about 200 pounds, do to the weight of the Mast, Boom, Centerboard Case, Centerboard, and Rudder.

The 'Aluminum' version':

I am expecting that the base rowing aluminum version of the Catspaw Dingy to come in at 175 while the Sailing version about 225 pounds!
The Aluminum version of the Catspaw Dinghy will have no Transverse Framing - Only Longitudinal Frames.
The aluminum version of the Catspaw Dinghy will require flotation which is neatly placed under the rowing station seats and the transom seat, as shown in the below rendering.
According to my calculations the minimum floatation requirement, in cubic feet, to support the swamped Catspaw Dinghy and 300# of crew is 2.95 cubic feet. The floatation designed into the hull, under the seats is 4.140 cubic feet, notably 1.190 cubic feet above the minimum floatation required.
The below rendering shows the location and size of the intergral to hull floatation chambers.