Can anyone identify my Cat ?

[spug]

Hi,

New member here.

I was given this as a project but I have spent hours on Google and cannot identify it.

The hulls are GRP and just over 12ft ; the spars made by Proctor (Swanwick) and the mainsail (number 231) by Lucas (Portsmouth)

It has daggerboards and a boom.

There are no numbers or logos anywhere on the hulls apart from the name (Kit Cat).

The guy that gave it to me said he added the jib himself.

Any ideas ?

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[Rupert]

Looks rather nice, doesn't it?

Not one I recognize off hand, I'm afraid.

[clibb]

This is annoying, as I rather like small 'cats'. There were two quite popular designs back in the day. One was Bill O'Brien's River Cat, with a beautifully proportioned rig, but that had vertical stems. The other, which this boat resembles a bit, was Ian Proctor's Catkin. Both boats were between 12ft and 12ft 6ins. The Catkin, however, had a bow cross-member, which this boat doesn't. No help I'm afraid, but a pretty boat nevertheless.

Regards

Nick

[PeterV]

The only small cat I've seen before is a Prout Junior, but that was a wooden mini Swift. I've also seen small cats at sailing schools in France but all of those have skegs.
Whatever it is it looks very nice.

[Obscured by clouds]

There was something similar in our compound a few years back, renovated and sailed by a couple of youngsters. Not now though.
It was also hanging up in a shed a few years prior, and at the time the guy who had it said it was a mini-hurricane [or at least from the same stable].
Again not much help I'm afraid.

[phil58490]

Found one in a book that looks very similar,
called a 'Flash', GRP hulls, designer Greg Gregory, 12'2" by 6'9" but no builder details. Sail emblem that looks like a comma with an eye and mouth.

Tried google but did not find anything!

[spug]

Phil,

Thanks - that must be it - I have attached an image of the emblem

What book did you find it in ?

[phil58490]

Yes I think we are talking about the same boat. I tried to add a scanned page from the book but it is too big a file. I will try to PM it to you.

Seems the system will not allow that either, PM me an email address and I will send it over.

It comes from The Boat world guide to sailing dinghies published in the mid seventies.

[Alan P.]

Hello Spug

Did Phil manage to get the details across to you ?. If not, I may be able to help.

I have a 1973 copy of "Boat World Guide No1 Sailing Dinghies" to hand. The sail emblem on the Flash pictured in this book matches yours exactly and is also down near the clew of the mainsail. No jib on the boat pictured.

The "supplier" is listed as Trowbridge & Sons, Durngate, Winchester so what with the Proctor spars and Lucas sails, she has a strong Hampshire connection.
Trowbridges have a double (2 page) spread advert for the Flash, Challenge, Leader14 and Unicorn. Of the Flash it says
"The Mini with the Maxi load. The family fun boat carries 4 with ease. £275 complete ex sails. 12', 6'9" beam 160lbs."

I can scan this and email you if you wish.PM me.

What does she sail like? Better singlehanded than 4 up I would guess?

Alan