Catalac 8m

[Bajansailor]

Here is a copy of my catalogue for the Catalac 8M and 9M from the late 70's - I will also include a Boat Report on the 9M from Yachts & Yachting in 1976 in my next post, as there is a limit of 10 photos per post.
I thought that this Boat Report would be useful for anybody who is looking for info on the 9M and comes across this thread.

 

[Bajansailor]

And here is a copy of the Boat Report -

 

[Stemar]

Thanks for the documents - fascinating! Do you have them as a PDF by any chance?

BTW, for all the people saying how horrible the forums have become, with nasty scraps and trolling, may I hold up this thread as a perfect example of what RtR can be? Over 40 posts of great information, advice and encouragement. Thanks everyone - keep it up!

 

[Neeves]

Stemar,

Just a thought

You seem to know the current owners well and if you wanted to build a dog house it is best done in the warm (and dry) of the summer. If the cat is 'nearby' and considering you are not going to take possession till after the summer - now - might be a good time to build something. If you built roughly as we did you only need access to the cat 'every so often', and then its just to check that your 3 dimensional jigsaw is fitting together. Initially all you need is a big sheet of foam, which you cut up, as appropriate, and slowly fit together dry. You could also make a mock up in MDF. Once the panels were sized correctly I then glassed each panel (saves glass) and then 'pasted', thickened resin, two panels, tried for fit, then a third panel etc. Most of the work was at home. We actually sized the outline of the roof accurately, so made it first, and one panel was vertical (where the side door is) and joined it first, everything else was fitted based on those 2 panels.

You can buy foam already glassed, with a peel coat - which would make your task easier

When you are 'building' you need things to hold everything in place, big clamps, tape, poles to support etc etc - improvisation at its best.

Jonathan

 

[Stemar]

A good idea, and your method is the way I'll do whatever I do, but thinking further, a full width doghouse might interfere with the genoa sheets. She has a huge genny that sheets to blocks on the aft corners and forward to the winch. I think I want to use the boat a bit first to get a better idea of what would work, rather than rushing off then wishing I'd done things differently. Next summer, maybe. Or maybe this winter with a heater in the workshop!

 

[Bajansailor]

Thanks for the documents - fascinating! Do you have them as a PDF by any chance?

I am sorry, but I don't - I just had a paper catalogue where I scanned the pages individually, and then posted them.
But if you want to put it all together in a PDF, you could perhaps copy these jpgs into a Word document, and then make a PDF of that?

Re a doghouse (or wheelhouse) for the 8M, would it be feasible to build something similar to the one shown on the 9M?

A pal of mine owns an 8M here - she has two inboard diesels. For a long time he just used her as a motor boat to go fishing with.
There are also two 9M's here - one has been sitting ashore for many years and is in very poor condition. The other one is very basic and a bit tatty, but in sailable condition - she is owned by a hotel on the west coast here, and for the last 40 years she has been taking their guests out on complimentary cocktail cruises along the coast. Their previous boat was a plywood Bobcat, and I think they knew the Lacks personally, hence why they then bought a Catalac to replace the Bobcat.

Edit - I joined the Catalac group on Facebook a while back (even though I don't have a Catalac) - they are quite active, with 466 members - and I also posted the above catalogue on there yesterday.
Facebook Groups

 

[Mister E]

Our 8 meter Catalac has a form of dog house but without the rear part.
If you Google Catalac you should find another forum that has a section about these boats (sorry I can not remember the name).
There are pictures on there of the type I am on about.

 

[Stemar]

But if you want to put it all together in a PDF, you could perhaps copy these jpgs into a Word document, and then make a PDF of that?

That's plan B. I already have a little folder on my PC for Catalac stuff like this that I can throw pics and articles in for future reference!

I joined the Catalac group on Facebook a while back (even though I don't have a Catalac) - they are quite active, with 466 members - and I also posted the above catalogue on there yesterday.
Facebook Groups

I closed my Facebook account a few years ago because I trust them with my data about as far as I could throw a Catalac by its mast. I may have to open one.

 

[fergie_mac66]

We currently have an 8 and a 9 . Had the 8 13 years it works for us but we don't worry about cosmetic too much . The 9 was ashore unmaintained for probs 7 years , work in progress 8 Doghouse is nearly full width the old winch inside it but we have ftted 2 winches on the back quarters . knocks her off wind a little but not much ,we usually manage Falmouth to L'aber'wrach in 15 hours 100 miles anchorto anchor usually wind at 60 to 70 degrees we often motorsail if the wind is weak but only at 1600 rpm. The full width dog house is great andwith a zipped canvas back it's carpet slippers most oft way .
The 9 . Is work in progress just put a temp doghouse on it going to be reworked in the workshop in the winter now I have taken 4 days work Time on a marina berth we have opening windows on the front on both and wouldn't without the doghouse on either or the opening wndows. When it's raining cats ndogs going into a harbour its nice to prop the window up to see through the salt spray on the screen and its fresh air on a hot day . I've made the 9 dogh too high but its got 6 foot headroom and still have a little work to do including fitting the hinges properly .

 

[Boathook]

That's plan B. I already have a little folder on my PC for Catalac stuff like this that I can throw pics and articles in for future reference!


I closed my Facebook account a few years ago because I trust them with my data about as far as I could throw a Catalac by its mast. I may have to open one.

Have a look at Catamaran Cruising Association Mainly all Catalac owners though the Facebook site does seem more active for better or worse.

 

[fergie_mac66]

Our 8 meter doghouse .front view as is full width middle 2 windows open up . Opening forward and up means when open it still restricts rain . The better half has already said she will miss the extra space of the full width doghouse on the 9 it give a lot of dry settingdown space when anchored or in a marina

 

[fergie_mac66]

8m doghouse

 

[Stemar]

Thanks again, everybody, I've just gone through all this and saved all the useful information. Now we're both just impatient to get her!

 

[Neeves]

I closed my Facebook account a few years ago because I trust them with my data about as far as I could throw a Catalac by its mast. I may have to open one.

I never opened a Facebook account for the same reason.

Jonathan