Bolger Martha Jane Balanced lug cat yawl sharpie

A reluctant sale of our Bolger Martha Jane balanced lug sail cat yawl in 'as new'
condition after a year long refurbishment. She has proven to be a capable & quick
vessel under sail, comfortable at anchor and surprisingly roomy for a boat of her
size. Six water ballast tanks make her lighter and easier to tow and the trailer is in
great condition featuring a unique launch & retrieval system.
Dimensions:
LENGTH - 23´ 6´´, BEAM - 6´, EMPTY WEIGHT - Approx 1400 lbs, BALLAST - 500 lbs
(Water)
DISPLACEMENT - 2350 lbs, DRAFT - 7´´ (Boards Up), SAIL AREA - 247 SQ FT
SLEEPS - 2 Adults in 8´ Berths, DAY SAILS - Up to 4 Adults
Features:
Counterbalanced mast is set in a tabernacle making for a quick and easy set up
without standing rigging; New sails (2026), 2 x 40 watt solar panels & Victron
controller (new 2026); refrigerator/icebox which works very well; 6+' single bunks
which convert to an oversize queen bed; ample dry stowage; depth sounder;
compass; VHF; 2 burner & grill stainless metho stove; running rigging in excellent
condition; 6 hp longshaft outboard motor; trailer rego until end of November 2026.
Comes with four manual inflating life jackets, two anchors with rode & chain, fuel
tanks with a large file containing the boats history from plans forward. There video
links are for the YouTube channel 'Sailing Kate Louise' with much information
about the boat.
Martha Jane is the smallest possible true sharpie with adequate accommodations
for two. It is well known that good sharpies offer the most performance for the least
investment of time and money. This makes Martha Jane a wolf in sheep's clothing,
as she is an owner built boat that will out sail and outclass most other boats her
size. Martha Jane might look old fashioned, but she is actually a very modern
yacht. Her 500 lb. Of water ballast gives her power under sail and the safety of
being self-righting, dump it out for ease of trailering. Her balanced lug sail cat yawl
rig sets a lot of sail down low and is powerful and efficient both on and off the wind.
Her tabernacle mast can be easily lowered for ease of trailering, to get under low
bridges or escape a real blow. Her leeboards, combined with her kick up rudder,
make her a true shallow water sailor without the maintenance headaches or interior
clutter of a centreboard trunk. Of course she is self bailing.
Mike O'Brien, senior editor of 'Wooden Boat' magazine, says in #80,'Built as
drawn, Martha Jane should be self-bailing, self righting, unsinkable, easily trailer
able, and fast under sail. She's a most significant sharpie. ' For those who want a
fast, comfortable and trailer able cruiser for two, or a spirited day-sailor for more,
Martha Jane is the boat. No other small sharpie even comes close.