Beetle Cats

Restoration Process & Craftsmanship

The Beetle Cat restoration process at IYRS follows the same methods used in professional yards, providing students with an immersive foundation in traditional wooden boatbuilding. Each project begins with lofting, where the boat’s lines are drawn full-scale to ensure precise proportions. From there, students move into planking and fairing, shaping and smoothing the hull to perfection before installing hardware and completing the finishing process.

Throughout every stage, IYRS instructors guide students in traditional craftsmanship while ensuring the work adheres to historical standards established by the Beetle Company and Concordia Company. The restored vessels maintain their authentic form, constructed from high-quality oak and cedar and finished with bronze fittings and durable marine coatings.

Before any Beetle Cat leaves the IYRS campus, it undergoes rigorous inspection and water testing to confirm safety and performance. Each sale directly supports IYRS’s educational mission, helping future students learn, build, and preserve maritime traditions.

Beetle Cats for Sale

At the end of the school year, IYRS typically has a few Beetle Cats for sale. Depending on timing, owners can choose their hull color. Fully restored Beetle Cats are competitively priced and available for delivery, complete with sails and beautiful bronze hardware.

Specifications & Technical Details

The Beetle Cat is admired for its stability, simplicity, and timeless design. Each restored vessel maintains the classic specifications that have made it a favorite among sailors for over a century:

• Length Overall (LOA): 12′ 4″
• Beam: 6′
• Draft: 1′ 7″

For inquiries, please email Bill Kenyon or call 401.848.5777 x213.