Cougar Mk III Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Hull type

Catamaran · centerboard

Rig

Fractional Sloop

LOA

18.75' · 5.72 m

Displ.

620 lbs · 281 kg

First year

1962

The Cougar Mk III represents a definitive era in the evolution of Prout & Sons, marking the transition from experimental racing craft to a standardized, highperformance onedesign class. This 19foot catamaran was the refined successor to the Mk I and Mk II, designed by Roland and Francis Prout to offer a blend of blistering speed and enough stability for recreational day sailing. While Prout eventually pivoted toward massive bluewater cruising catamarans like the Snowgoose and Quasar, the Cougar Mk III remains their most successful foray into the smallboat racing market, particularly gaining a massive foothold in the United States during the 1960s and 70s. Constructed primarily of glassreinforced plastic (GRP), the Mk III addressed the maintenance issues of the earlier wooden versions while optimizing the hull shape for better performance in a variety of sea states.