Menger Cat 23 Buyer's Guide
The Menger Cat 23 on the used market is a trailerable gaff-rigged catboat whose 1990 origin traces to Francis Sweisguth’s Americat 22, later built by Menger Boatworks in Babylon, New York through 2004 and then by Thompson Boatworks until 2010 anchor. For a shopper, the appeal is a traditional single-sail cruiser with a wheel, a retractable centerboard, and a cabin that sleeps three.
Layouts on the Used Market
Most examples follow the standard plan: a double V-berth forward, a straight settee to port in the main cabin, and a starboard-side galley amidships with a sink and an enclosed head just aft. The fixed stub keel with retractable centerboard gives a trailing draft of 2.5 feet and a sailing draft of 5.5 feet, so nearly every boat will share the same belowdecks footprint and the same shoal-friendly hull underneath.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Hot water is commonly fitted on these boats, a meaningful comfort upgrade for a 22-foot cruiser that otherwise relies on a 12-gallon fuel and 55-gallon water capacity. Beyond that, the single 18-horsepower Yanmar diesel and the gaff cat rig with 435 square feet of sail are the systems that define ownership; buyers should note that wheel steering at a transom-hung rudder is standard, not an add-on.
What to Inspect
Because the hull is solid fiberglass with wood trim, attention should go to the wood details and the centerboard trunk where the retractable board meets the stub keel. The galley sink and enclosed head plumbing aft of it on the starboard side are the wettest interior spaces and deserve a close look for past leaks. The transom-hung rudder and its wheel steering linkage are exposed by design and should be checked for wear at the stock and quadrant.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats are typically found in the United States. For a buyer, the short list is: confirm the centerboard and trunk integrity, check the wood trim and starboard-side head plumbing, verify the wheel steering at the transom-hung rudder, and expect hot water as a common fitting rather than a rarity.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Menger Cat 23. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 3 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 25 | 1 | $20,000 | — |
| Jul 25 | 1 | $39,000 | +95.0% |
| Sep 25 | 1 | $29,900 | -23.3% |
Where they're listed
Menger Cat 23 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 1.
Country view
1 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $29,900 | 1 | 0 | 100.0% |