17' Herreshoff Coquina Cat Ketch (2010) - BREEZE

The COQUINA is an amazing trailerable daysailer.

While I was looking for a boat to build in 2005, my goal was to have a hull large enough to sail two adults, easy to set-up (no wire rigging to tune), light-weight and with a traditional rig. Coincidentally, Doug Hylan and Maynard Bray published the COQUINA for glued lapstrake build at the same time. One of the boats N. G. Herreshoff had designed for his own use, and one that he obviously loved—how much better can it get?

I built over four winters, and enjoyed every moment. 15 minutes for launching and hauling at the ramp, easy enough even to go for a brief sail after work. The COQUINA is beautifully balanced, self steering, if needed, and a joy to sail. After ten summers, I’m as happy with the boat as on my first sail.