Herreshoff 38 Cat Ketch Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Drawing Diagram

Builder drawing

Hull type

Monohull · fin

Rig

Cat Ketch

LOA

37.79' · 11.52 m

Displ.

13,080 lbs · 5,933 kg

First year

1982

The Herreshoff 38 Cat Ketch represents a modern evolution of the "Captain Nat" legacy, reimagined for the late 20thcentury cruiser by his grandson, Halsey Herreshoff. Produced primarily in the late 1970s and early 1980s by builders such as Nereus Yachts and Herreshoff Marine in Bristol, Rhode Island, the 38 was part of a series of catketch designs that included the smaller 31 and the larger 45. This model stands as a departure from the slender, deepkeeled racing machines of the early 20th century, instead prioritizing ease of handling, interior volume, and the ability to navigate thin water. Utilizing a beamy hull form and a versatile centerboard configuration, the Herreshoff 38 was designed to appeal to the "barefoot" cruiser—sailors who sought the performance of a pedigree design without the complexity of a modern stayed rig.