Back to Search
Us Sabot
Designer: Charles Mcgregor  ·  Builder: Catalina Yachts  ·  First built: 1939
+ Add to Compare
About the Us Sabot

Originally designed by Charles McGregor in 1939, this diminutive pram dinghy has become a cornerstone of youth sailing programs across the United States. At just 8 feet in length with a 3.83-foot beam, the US Sabot represents one of sailing's most enduring training platforms, teaching generations of young sailors the fundamentals of seamanship. The boat's pram bow configuration and shallow 1.30-foot draft make it ideal for protected waters, yacht clubs, and sailing schools. Its lightweight 68-pound displacement allows for easy launching and recovery, while the simple cat-rigged sail plan with 38 square feet of sail area provides manageable power for novice sailors. The unstayed mast and daggerboard setup eliminate complex rigging, allowing students to focus on basic sailing techniques rather than boat handling complications. Built using plywood and fiberglass construction methods, later production models by Catalina Yachts maintained the design's reputation for durability and affordability. The boat's high capsize screening formula of 3.75 reflects its tender nature, making it an excellent teaching tool for learning proper weight distribution and sail trim. While not suited for serious cruising or offshore work, the US Sabot excels in its intended role as a trainer and recreational day sailer for protected waters.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Beam 3.83 ft / 1.17 m
Max Draft 1.30 ft / 0.40 m
Displacement 68.00 lb / 31 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 38.00 ft² / 3.53 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Pram (Daggerboard)
Rigging Type Cat (unstayed)
Construction Plywood/FG
Designer Charles McGregor
Builder Catalina Yachts
First Built 1939
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

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
96.55
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
2.44
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 3.49 kn
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. 0.56 pounds/inch
Find a Us Sabot For Sale