Catboats & Engineering
The Cayman catboat was reportedly first introduced in 1905 by Captain Daniel Jervis of Cayman Brac. These single-masted vessels with their characteristic blue paint were the pickup trucks of early Caymanian life, used to move between districts, to freight cargo, and to fish. Caymanians were well-regarded for their maritime prowess, and the ingenuity of the Cayman catboat’s design is a fantastic example of traditional engineering and boat-building techniques. In this episode, Jerris Miller of the Cayman Catboat Club explains the engineering design of the catboat from the local woods and tools used, to the types of models that served as construction guidelines. You will also hear from artist Davin Ebanks on how the Cayman catboat and traditional boat-building technique influenced two of his glass works in the National Art Collection.
Video coming soon.
Additional Catboat Resources
Contact these partner organisations to learn more about the Cayman Catboat:
The Cayman Islands Catboat Club
More National Collection artworks about the Cayman Catboat:
