Preview: Brilliant Small Sailboat Designs – Herreshoff 12.5, Beetle Cat, Buzzards Bay 15 & More

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Whether or not you’re in the market for a small sailboat, you’ll love the chance to scan the classic small sailboat designs available as shown in these stunning photographs by Benjamin Mendlowitz.

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14 Responses So Far to “Brilliant Small Sailboat Designs – Herreshoff 12.5, Beetle Cat, Buzzards Bay 15 & More

  • Jon Baldock says:

    where can I get the plans for the herreshoff 12.6 with center board? thanks Jon Baldock

  • Alex ( c/o Camilo Cespedes : for shipping purposes ) Basile says:

    Thank you for this amazing video. From Cartagena, Colombia, South America. Best regards!

  • tim dunbar says:

    one of my favorite videos have watched many times

  • Tony Vink says:

    Great video, it really makes you want to go sailing.
    I have been looking at this class of day sailer too. Can anyone perhaps say how the Ebihen 16 from F. Viviers compares to these boats. Especially the self build option interests me and the modern design and build techniques he employs seem to make good sense to the uninitiated like me. A seco d question I have is this: Is it advisable to build a smaller and easier boat first to get the experience or is the saying abow building your second boat first still a good idea?
    I need to get my family on the waters around Sydney soon.
    Thanks again for the amazing videos.

  • Dick Wagner says:

    Beetle Cats aren’t the exclusive property of the East Coast. At The Center for Wooden Boats and its predecessor, The Old Boathouse, we have been providing the Beetle Cat experience to thousands of sailors through our Liveries (boat rentals) on Seattle’s Lake Union for nearly half a century. We have a 12.5 too, though it is used solely for instruction and our Sunday free boat rides program.
    Dick Wagner
    Founding Director, The Center for Wooden Boats
    (and OCH Guide)

  • Dave Johnson says:

    What happened to the Somes Sound 12 1/2 by John Brooks? Truly the easiest to build and a wonderful boat to sail.

  • daniel snyder says:

    It seem almost unfair to close with that amazingly seductive photograph by Mr. Mendlowitz

    • Ben Mendlowitz says:

      Hi Dan, one of my all time favorite shots, so we couldn’t resist.

  • Philip Nager says:

    Wonderful video on Classic Small Boats, to bad that the Swampscott Dory was not included in this video. Having sailed one for the past 10 years, the dory has some of the same sailing traits as these boats and if properly constructed, is very sea worthy.

    • Jack Camillo says:

      Can I begin a lifetime of fascination with boats in my mid-50s? Hell, why not, right?

  • Mac McCoy says:

    I’ve just signed up with Classic Boats and would explore for a sailboat of about 16′ water line, like the Fish class or Buzzards Bay 15 or 18. It would be good to look at vidios of different builders and listen to their comments. Love the bronze hardware. Seems heavy but looks great.

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