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Caper Cat

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Caper Cat
Caper Cat Insignia
Development
LocationSandgate[Brisbane], Queensland, Australia
YearCirca 1970 -
No. builtUnknown
BrandCalypso
Builder(s)Calypso Sailcraft (Ross and Leslie Clarke)
RoleRecreational sailing
NameCaper Cat
Boat
Crew1–4 (6 adults max)
Draft0.23 metres (9 in)
TrapezeOptional, can be added
Hull
General2
TypeCatamaran
ConstructionFibreglass Hull, Alloy Mast
Hull weight111.13 kg (245.0 lb)
LOA4.3 metres (14 ft)
Beam2.29 metres (7.5ft)
Engine typeOptional Outboard Attachment (Max 5 H.P recommended)
Hull appendages
Keel/board typen/a
Rudder(s)"kick up" type fibreglass or alloy "squatter" shallow rudder
Rig
Rig typeBermuda
Mast length6.71 metres (22 ft)
Sails
GeneralSloop
Mainsail area9.9 m2 (107 sq ft)
Jib/genoa area3.3 m2 (36 sq ft)

The Caper Cat (or Caper Cat 14) is a 14 ft sailing catamaran manufactured by Calypso Sailcraft in Brisbane, Australia.[1] While in many ways similar to other catamarans of its size (notably the Hobie Cat), a unique feature of the catamaran is its large storage capacity.[2] Each hull contains large storage bins that make it an ideal boat for camping and short island-to-island cruising trips.[3]


In addition to the more common 14 ft version, 18 ft Caper Cats with extended storage capacity were also built, however few of these boats exist.

Although these boats are no longer in production, there are a large number still being sailed, especially around South East QLD. Ross and Leslie Clarke from Calypso (the manufacturer) it appears retired in circa 2012-2013 and handed over responsibility to LR Sails in Deception Bay QLD.[4] http://www.lrsails.com.au/ who reportedly retain various spare parts (castings etc) and the patterns for both sails and trampolines.

There is an active Facebook forum dedicated to Calypso Sail Craft.[5] There is also an active sub-forum on catsailor.net specifically dedicated to Caper Cat & Calypso Sailcraft[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Caper Cat Specifications". www.calypsosailcraft.com.au. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
  2. ^ "Sailing a Caper Cat | Astro Optics". www.keithforbes.org. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
  3. ^ Miller, Kim. "Kim Miller's Hobie Cat Sailing Pages. Jesse Martin Story. Pt.1". users.tpg.com.au. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
  4. ^ McDonald, Russ (2013). "Cat Sailor". Online. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
  5. ^ Calypso, Catamarans (2019-11-14). "Calypso Catamarans". Facebook.
  6. ^ "Cat Sailor". Cat Sailor. Retrieved 2019-11-19.