The compact Litl Coot, a true 50/50 motorsailer, will run happily when propelled by her cat-yawl rig or a 9.9-hp outboard motor—or both. Litl Coot’s cabin holds simple and pleasant space for two. Twin-daggerboard trunks rest near the sides of the hull, where they don’t interfere with the accommodations.
If a designer were to promise us a motorsailer that measures less than 18′ on deck, we might expect to find a miniature caricature. Yet in the case of Litl Coot, we would be wrong. Please, read on.
Sam Devlin has drawn a particularly appealing and practical boat. Litl Coot should sail and motor equally well when pushed by her cat-yawl rig or a 9.9-hp outboard—or both. Her stitch-and-glue hull will go together in our back yard and might live happily on a trailer. She’ll be easily singlehanded, yet her accommodations offer simple comfort for a couple.
A gaff-headed mainsail will provide most of the power after we shut down the engine. The well-peaked-up gaff won’t slough off much to leeward, and it should help keep the sail well set as we work to windward—perhaps with assistance from the engine.
That boom vang specified on the sail plan is not mere affectation. It will be needed to hold the boom down, thereby avoiding excessive twist in the sail. Too much twist can decrease efficiency on all points and lead to scary rhythmic rolling when we’re running off in a fresh breeze. Devlin suggests that we lead the vang aft to the main bulkhead, where it will fall readily to hand for a solitary crew. Let’s employ rope that stretches little under tension.