Annual Catboat Races

Catboats hold a legendary status on LBI, deeply intertwined with the maritime history and shallow sailing conditions of the Barnegat Bay. Historically used as workboats and transport ferries, these wide-beamed, shallow-draft vessels are celebrated today through vibrant racing and community events across the island. According to event coordinator, Robert Rue, what makes catboats different from other sailboats is their width, they are about half as wide as they are long. Catboats were the dominant inshore boat on the New England coast from the 1850s to the early 1900s, both for work and for pleasure, as they were used for fishing and coastal transportation.

The event begins with a skippers meeting at 12:30 p.m. at Sunset Park near the water tower, followed by races beginning at 1 p.m.

There are three categories in the single-sail crafts: 14-foot “lil cats,” 16-foot “bobcats” and 18-foot “fat cats.”  The registration fee is $10.  To…