Engineering:Caper Cat
 Caper Cat Insignia | |
| Development | |
|---|---|
| Location | Sandgate[Brisbane], Queensland, Australia |
| Year | Circa 1970 - |
| No. built | Unknown |
| Brand | Calypso |
| Builder(s) | Calypso Sailcraft (Ross and Leslie Clarke) |
| Role | Recreational sailing |
| Boat | |
| Crew | 1–4 (6 adults max) |
| Draft | 0.23 metres (9 in) |
| Trapeze | Optional, can be added |
| Hull | |
| General | 2 |
| Type | Catamaran |
| Construction | Fibreglass Hull, Alloy Mast |
| Hull weight | 111.13 kg (245.0 lb) |
| LOA | 4.3 metres (14 ft) |
| Beam | 2.29 metres (7.5ft) |
| Engine type | Optional Outboard Attachment (Max 5 H.P recommended) |
| Hull appendages | |
| Keel/board type | n/a |
| Rudder(s) | "kick up" type fibreglass or alloy "squatter" shallow rudder |
| Rig | |
| Rig type | Bermuda |
| Mast length | 6.71 metres (22 ft) |
| Sails | |
| General | Sloop |
| Mainsail area | 9.9 m2 (107 sq ft) |
| Jib/genoa area | 3.3 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
- ↑ "Caper Cat Specifications". http://www.calypsosailcraft.com.au/capercat_popup.htm.
- ↑ "Sailing a Caper Cat | Astro Optics". https://www.keithforbes.org/sailing-a-caper-cat/.
- ↑ Miller, Kim. "Kim Miller's Hobie Cat Sailing Pages. Jesse Martin Story. Pt.1.". http://users.tpg.com.au/kkmiller/jessemartin/jesse_martin1.html.
- ↑ McDonald, Russ (2013). "Cat Sailor". Online. http://www.catsailor.net/topic/5194-calypso-and-capper-cat-owners/?tab=comments#comment-5194. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
- ↑ Calypso, Catamarans (2019-11-14). "Calypso Catamarans". Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1531523680399018/.
- ↑ "Cat Sailor". http://www.catsailor.net/forum/20-calypso-capercat-sailors-forum/.
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