Herreshoff America HA18

Herreshoff America HA18 Catboat.
Fibreglass hull with a folding aluminium mast and gaff rig. Built 1973. Regarded as a "Classic Plastic"
The only one in Australia. Private import from the United States. Was apparently stored in a barn for many years, hence the fine condition she is in today.
Herreshoff designed yachts are regarded as yacht Royalty in the United States and around the world. Known for their robust designs, build quality, eye catching lines and sailing performance. Yankee Girl will not win races any time soon, but the catboats are considered more the Clyde Drysdale's of the Herreshoff family. Originally designed as a fishing/workboat, similar to our Australian Couta boats. A furphy for the name was claimed in the mid 1800's, due to the stray cats that use to frequent the wharfs for mice and rats finding an easier meal in the fish that the fisherman caught on these boats. The mast was placed well forward to give the crew space and an uninterrupted cockpit to haul their nets up in.
You may have already recognised the original classic shape in a more modern boat. Com Pac yachts bought the rights to the moulds back in 2002 as they were very popular in the U. S. Originally a centre boarder this one and the modern Com Pac's have been modified with a small skeg keel to counteract and balance the weather helm that is traditional with a cat rig boat due to having a generous sail area and the mast so far forward, and it has worked. The sail and sail cover are near new and has been re- shaped with a smaller sail plan to suit our strong Australian coastal afternoon breezes. Lots of work has been carried out to keep Yankee Girl up to speed as can be seen by the very recent photos taken late October 2025. Beautifully presented for her age and in original tidy condition. A newer trailer has also been modified for easy launching and retrieval at the boat ramp including a swing out extension arm for the shallower ramps you may find in protected waterways and lakes. The trailer is a 2013 Dunbier SRW 6.1 metre dual axle with an ATM of 2.2 ton with brand new brake calipers and pads all around. All up weight with boat on is apprx. 1600kg, with Yankee Girl weighing in at around 1.2 ton. Easily towed by my Ford diesel Territory.
Further inclusions include a 6 HP Tohatsu motor in the well with probably a maximum of 12 hours. Solar panel, Nav lights, a V-berth, and depth/navigation chart plotter. Plenty of lines and hardware. Sails like a dream and very easy on the eye. All though it takes approx. 20 minutes to put into the water from mast down allow at least an hour or more as you will constantly be interrupted by ol salts and green horns asking you a myriad of questions. I have priced Yankee Girl at a bargain price so please respect that this is a very rare boat for these waters and know you will own a one of a kind unique easy to live with Catboat that will become part of your family for many, many years.