Mystic Ali Cat Information, Review, Specs

The Mystic Ali Cat emerged from the shipyards of Legnos Boat Building Company, established in Groton, Connecticut, in May 1971. Peter Legnos, with his extensive background in naval architecture and boat design, founded LBI with an initial focus on research, development, engineering, and manufacturing in marine systems. While specific production start and end years for the Mystic Ali Cat are not readily available, its creation falls within LBI's formative period, when the company was establishing its reputation for meticulous construction and a deep understanding of marine structures. The company's ethos, even in its early years, emphasized precision and quality, laying the groundwork for vessels like the Ali Cat. The design of the Mystic Ali Cat specifically offered versatility, available with either a Marconi cat rig or an optional gaff rig, catering to different sailing preferences and traditional aesthetics.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Mystic Ali Cat, with its 20-foot length overall and an 18.5-foot waterline, is a sprightly performer for its size. Its design, featuring a cat rig and a keel/centerboard hull, suggests a boat that is both straightforward to handle and adaptable to varying conditions. The cat rig, with its single large mainsail, simplifies sail handling, making the boat accessible for solo or new sailors. The combination of a fixed keel and a retractable centerboard allows for a minimum draft of 2.0 feet, ideal for exploring shallow anchorages, while extending the centerboard provides a maximum draft of 6.25 feet for enhanced upwind performance and stability in deeper waters. Despite its small size, the Ali Cat is noted for being more comfortable than many similar sailboat designs, offering a stable platform on the water. Its fiberglass solid hull, constructed with a sandwich method, contributes to a robust build and helps regulate the interior climate, ensuring comfort even when water temperatures are low. With a theoretical hull speed of 5.76 knots, the Mystic Ali Cat is designed for enjoyable day sailing and coastal cruising, offering a pleasant and manageable experience.

Accommodations and Layout

Due to its compact 20-foot length, the Mystic Ali Cat's interior accommodations are designed to be functional and efficient, suitable for weekend excursions or short trips rather than extended cruising. While specific details on the interior layout are not widely documented, the use of fiberglass solid hull with "sandwich construction" indicates a well-insulated and robust interior. This double hull construction is particularly beneficial for maintaining a comfortable indoor climate, mitigating temperature differences between the cabin and the water outside. Typically for a boat of this size, the interior would likely feature a basic V-berth forward, perhaps a small galley area with a sink, and limited seating or storage in a main cabin. Headroom would be modest, fitting the boat's overall dimensions. The emphasis would be on maximizing the available space for essential comforts and storage, reflecting the boat's primary purpose as a simple and enjoyable sailing platform.