Building a Catspaw

Sterling purchased the plans  for the award wining 12 foot 8 inch  dinghy from Wooden Boat magazine.  He found that the most difficult part of the project was the planking; the process of making and applying the boat's planks to the ribs, which were steamed and bent into place over the building mold.  Each piece of the white cedar planking had to be cut so that it would fit, and show a fair line between, at the bow, the stern, and amidships. Though each plank is more or less "s" shaped, when on the boat, the upper planks will appear to follow the shear line (top edge and gunwale) and the lower planks appear to follow the keel. 
 

The Catspaw Dinghy is an extremely stable and versatile craft, which can be rowed or sailed. Seating up to four people makes this design a natural choice for family or individual outings. It can be used for fishing, sailing, or swimming off of in the middle of the lake. The popularity and ease of use of the Catspaw is why we have chosen this exceptional craft as an East Hill Boat Shop new build specialty.