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Beetle Cat
Designer: John Beetle  ·  Builder: Beetle, Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1921
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About the Beetle Cat

Steeped in New England maritime tradition, this classic catboat design has been introducing sailors to the joys of sailing for nearly a century. Originally developed in the 1920s by the Beetle Boat Company in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the Beetle Cat represents one of America's most enduring small sailboat designs. Built with simplicity and safety in mind, these sturdy little boats feature the traditional catboat configuration with a single gaff-rigged sail and centerboard design. The wide, stable beam and shallow draft make them ideal for protected waters, harbors, and coastal sailing in moderate conditions. Their forgiving nature and straightforward rigging have made them a popular choice for sailing schools, yacht clubs, and families seeking a reliable boat for learning and recreational sailing. The Beetle Cat's reputation for durability is legendary among New England sailors. These boats are known for their solid fiberglass construction and ability to withstand decades of hard use. While not designed for racing or offshore adventures, they excel at day sailing, teaching sailing fundamentals, and providing a authentic taste of traditional American sailing heritage in coastal waters.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$4,500 – $7,000
typical asking price
Median $5,750  ·  2 listings used
All listings
$4,500 – $7,000 2
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 12.33 ft / 3.76 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 11.67 ft / 3.56 m
Beam 6.08 ft / 1.85 m
Max Draft 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
Displacement 450.00 lb / 204 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Gaff head Cat
Construction Wood or FG
Designer John Beetle
Builder Beetle, Inc. (USA)
First Built 1921
Number Built 3600
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
126.4
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1.52 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 0.50 ft / 0.15 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 140.00 ft² / 13.01 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 126.40
How It Compares

vs. Barnstable Cat Boat, Dyer Dhow 12 12, Howmar 12, Montgomery 12, Tech Dinghy

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Beetle Cat ★
12.3 ft
Barnstable Cat Boat
12.3 ft
Dyer Dhow 12 12
12.5 ft
Howmar 12
12.2 ft
Montgomery 12
12.2 ft
Tech Dinghy
12.0 ft
LWL
Beetle Cat ★
11.7 ft
Barnstable Cat Boat
11.7 ft
Dyer Dhow 12 12
Howmar 12
10.4 ft
Montgomery 12
10.0 ft
Tech Dinghy
Beam
Beetle Cat ★
6.1 ft
Barnstable Cat Boat
6.1 ft
Dyer Dhow 12 12
5.0 ft
Howmar 12
5.0 ft
Montgomery 12
4.8 ft
Tech Dinghy
4.7 ft
Displacement
Beetle Cat ★
450 lbs
Barnstable Cat Boat
450 lbs
Dyer Dhow 12 12
195 lbs
Howmar 12
175 lbs
Montgomery 12
145 lbs
Tech Dinghy
250 lbs
Sail Area
Beetle Cat ★
Barnstable Cat Boat
Dyer Dhow 12 12
91 sq ft
Howmar 12
90 sq ft
Montgomery 12
Tech Dinghy
72 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Beetle Cat ★
Barnstable Cat Boat
Dyer Dhow 12 12
Howmar 12
46.1
Montgomery 12
Tech Dinghy
29.1
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Beetle Cat ★
Barnstable Cat Boat
Dyer Dhow 12 12
3.1
Howmar 12
2.9
Montgomery 12
Tech Dinghy
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Beetle Cat ★
Barnstable Cat Boat
Dyer Dhow 12 12
Howmar 12
3.58
Montgomery 12
Tech Dinghy
2.97
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Beetle Cat ★
126
Barnstable Cat Boat
126
Dyer Dhow 12 12
72
Howmar 12
69
Montgomery 12
64
Tech Dinghy
Hull Speed
Beetle Cat ★
Barnstable Cat Boat
Dyer Dhow 12 12
4.4 kts
Howmar 12
4.3 kts
Montgomery 12
Tech Dinghy
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