Design and Construction
The Sun Cat is one of three different deck styles available on the 17-foot hull hull deck variants, with hand-laid fiberglass hull and decks fiberglass build and a sweeping sheer with a pronounced bow as though meant to take on the waves sheer profile. The hull shape and construction appear robust robust build, and the keel is weighted for stability ballasted keel while a stainless steel centerboard with a fiberglass trunk provides the centerboard function centerboard details. The builder claims the Sun Cat had few moving parts and was nearly maintenance-free manufacturer low maintenance, and the boat is described outright as an affordable, safe and sturdy boat overall character.
Rig and Handling
The Sun Cat is clearly a catboat with main and gaff booms catboat rig identity, outfitted with the patented Mastendr quick-rig sailing system quick rig system that uses a sturdy hinged mast to make raising and lowering fast hinged mast ease. The main boom, gaff boom, sail and rigging all remain in place while trailering, which cuts preparation time prior to launch trailer rig retention, and one reviewer found the boat a delight to launch and rig launch delight. Sail raising is done by simultaneously pulling the main halyard and peak halyard, both led through Spinlock line clutches that let you release them momentarily without dropping the sail halyard method, and small peak-halyard adjustments make a big difference in sail shape and performance trim sensitivity.
Accommodations
Buyers could choose a daysailer version with a huge cockpit or a cuddy cabin version with potential as an overnighter two layouts, and the standard Sun Cat boasts a cuddy cabin with two berths and space under the bridge deck for a porta-potti standard cabin. The cabin is quite spacious for a 17-foot boat due to the 7-foot-3-inch beam and is great for overnight trips cabin spaciousness, while high cockpit coamings provide back rests along the bench seats cockpit comfort and storage sits under the cockpit benches plus an enclosed locker forward storage provisions.
Known Issues
Catboats must endure tremendous strain on the mast with its single sail, which can cause the boat to flex and result in cracks or crazing in the gel coat mast strain cracks. The standing rigging on older Sun Cats may need inspection and possible replacement rigging age, deck delamination is always a possibility deck delam risk, and close attention should be paid to the mast hinge hinge attention.
Refits and Ownership
Finding parts for a Sun Cat is easy since the company is still in business and technological assistance is also at hand parts availability. In more recent years Com-Pac has designed and introduced a stainless steel centerboard and centerboard trunk updated centerboard, giving owners a straightforward path to keep an older example current.
The Verdict
The Com-Pac Sun Cat distills Clark Mills' original brief into a trailerable, easy-to-rig catboat that is comfortable for daysailing and capable of modest coastal gunkholing. Its hinged Mastendr rig and retained rigging while trailering lower the barrier to spontaneous sailing, while the cuddy cabin version extends its usefulness to overnighters. Prospective owners should simply respect the known stresses of the catboat rig and budget for periodic rig and deck inspection.
Pros
- Easy, fast rigging via hinged mast and Mastendr system rig ease
- Roomy cockpit and practical cuddy cabin for a 17-footer cabin size
- Parts and technical help available from the active builder support access
Cons
- Mast strain can produce gel-coat cracks or crazing rig stress
- Older standing rigging may require inspection or replacement rig aging
- Deck delamination remains a possibility delam note
