Modern catboat? Gordon Fisher, one of Canada's leading racer yachtsmen wanted a cruising boat that was simple to sail. He took his idea to Mark Ellis, a versatile naval architect. "Gordon admired the Lundstrom rig from the early '30s. With a free-standing mast and no boom, this rig is perfect for singlehanding," Ellis said. Ellis and Fisher eventually modified the rig by adding a wind-surfer-style wishbone boom for better sail control. George Hinterhoeller's shop produced their design and the Nonsuch (the original flagship of the once mighty Hudson's Bay Company) was built and launched in 1978. [the preceeding information on the Nonsuch is from the Oct. 1999 SAILING Magazine, p. 20] 1982 saw the introduction of the new Freedom 25 fin-keel catboat. It had an unstayed, fully rotating, free-standing mast, and a full-batten mainsail, plus a spinnaker. It was designed for single-handed operation with all lines handled from the cockpit. Since the mast is stepped further forward than on a sloop, it provides more cockpit and cabin space.[The preceeding information on the Freedom came from Royce's SAILING ILLUSTRATED Volume I "The sailors bible since 1956"Royce Publications, Box 1967, Newport Beach, CA 92663, USA phone (714)642-4430 fax (714) 646-SAIL. Also read - Catboats by Stan Greyson, International Marine Publishing Co., Camden, ME 04843

Wyliecat's are the next step in this practical and fun to sail type rig. Most of us learned to sail on a single sail dingy - a catboat. Whether is was a sailboard, laser, Finn, Sabot, Kite, Force 5, Penguin, El Toro or one of the other many catboats, it was an excellent boat to learn on because it was easy to sail. The wind filled the sail and off we went. It was lightweight, easy to rig and simple to fix. It was fun. Wyliecats are designed with the ease of sailing in mind. The hull shape moves effortless throught the water, the rig is lightweight with a large sail area that is offset with enough ballast to reduce heel and remain a comfortable platform to enjoy sailing. There is a marriage of the high tech, light weight composite materials with a safe, easy to sail, fast and elegant family of sailboats.

Tom Wylie, the Wyliecat's designer, is a very noteworthy Yacht Designer with many record breaking and winning designs to his credit. His talent has been noted many times over, the lastest in May 1999 SAILING Magizine "Wily Tom Wylie, West Coast sailor designs winners". Wyliecats are winners.

Dave Wahle, the builder of the Wyliecat's, is a well known winning West Coast sailor and builder. He knew Tom's design was a great boat designed for sailors. His dedication to the concept and meticulous attention to detail make this yachts not only fun to sail, but a sailboat you will be proud to own.

Larry Mayne, the sales and marketing person of the Wyliecat's, is a long time friend and devotee of Tom's designs and great admirer of Dave's sailing and building abilities. As a yacht broker and sailor, he is excited about introducing the Wyliecat family of boats to the world and setting up the international network of dealers of these great boats. For addition information on the Wyliecats contact Larry by email, phone or fax (numbers below).

The colorful logo on the one big sail Wyliecat is easy to recognize. It is one of a very few production boats designed to sail single or short handed. Everyone who takes the time to look at the Wyliecat boats is impressed by the good looks, clean lines, and the easy to sail characteristics of the vessels. Regardless of your style of sailing - singlehanded, cruising, daysailing or racing, Wyliecat's will rise to the challenge. They are a high value, low maintenance, versatile, safe and fast sailboat. You owe it to yourself and your family to look at the Wyliecat line of boats. They will bring you many years of trouble free sailing enjoyment. Pull the halyard and go sailing, drop the halyard and the one big sail flakes itself into the lazy jacks. Less is more, less gear to fuss with more time to enjoy sailing. This is the boat for you.