The Beetle Cat is perhaps the most enduring icon of American small-boat sailing, a 12-foot-4-inch gaff-rigged wooden catboat that has remained in continuous production since its design in 1921. Originally conceived by John Beetle of the Beetle family—renowned for their whaleboat construction in New Bedford, Massachusetts—the design was intended to provide a sturdy, safe, and affordable platform for children to learn the nuances of New England’s tidal waters. Over a century later, the boat is celebrated by all generations as a "one-design" masterpiece of cedar-on-oak construction. While the provided builder context discusses the French neo-classical shipyard Construction Navale Franck Roy, the Beetle Cat is strictly a product of Massachusetts maritime heritage, currently built and maintained by Beetle, Inc. in Wareham, MA.
Beetle Cat Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Beetle
- Model
- Cat
- Builder
- Beetle, Inc.
- Designer
- John Beetle
- Number Built
- 3600
- Production Year(s)
- 1921 - ??
Below are the most recent Beetle Cat sailboat listings (up to 10).
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| Source | Year | Make | Model | Price | Cabins | Heads | City | Country | Listing Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DISCLAIMER: We are not affiliated with any external listing websites in any way. We simply aggregate publicly available listings to make it easier for buyers to find sailboats for sale. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listings, so please verify all information with the seller before making any decisions.
Market Overview
Price & Volume Trends
Monthly breakdown
| Month | Listings | Median Asking Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | 1 | $1,800 |
| Nov 2025 | 1 | $3,950 |
| Mar 2026 | 2 | $5,000 |
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemsteraak Lemsteraak | $305,929 | 34 | 7 | |
| Herreshoff 12 1/2 | 15.83' | $23,500 | 15 | 6 |
| Com-Pac Sun Cat 17-2 | 17.33' | $18,450 | 13 | 3 |
| Cornish Crabbers 24 Mk I | 29.25' | $43,187 | 12 | 5 |
| Com-Pac Picnic Cat | 14' | $6,500 | 8 | 2 |
| Marshall Sanderling | 18.17' | $12,500 | 8 | 2 |
| Cornish Crabbers Crabber 17 | $13,449 | 7 | 5 | |
| Cornish Crabbers Shrimper 21 | 21' | $43,930 | 7 | 5 |
| Cornish Crabbers 26 | 26.21' | $94,551 | 7 | 6 |
| Concordia Cat | $3,475 | 4 | 2 | |
| Herreshoff America | 18.16' | $9,900 | 1 | 0 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $3,475 | 4 | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Beetle Cat cost?
- The median asking price for a used Beetle Cat over the past 12 months is $3,475. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Beetle Cat sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 4 Beetle Cat listings over the past 12 months, with 2 listed within the last 90 days.
- Are Beetle Cat prices going up or down?
- The median asking price for the Beetle Cat has increased by 43.88% over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month average.
- What are similar sailboats to the Beetle Cat?
- Comparable models include the Lemsteraak Lemsteraak, Herreshoff 12 1/2, Com-Pac Sun Cat 17-2. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.