Cayman Catboat Club
Keeping the catboat tradition alive
The Cayman Catboat Club brings people together to preserve, sail and celebrate Cayman catboats, passing on the skills, stories and practical knowledge that keep this maritime tradition alive.
About the Club
The Club works to keep Cayman’s catboat tradition active through sailing, racing, boat maintenance, restoration, education and community participation.
Our work connects the boats themselves with the people who build, maintain and sail them, while creating opportunities for younger generations to experience the tradition first-hand.
What is a Cayman catboat?
The Cayman catboat is a traditional small sailing boat closely associated with life in the Cayman Islands. Built for local conditions, catboats were used for fishing, turtling, transport and everyday work around the islands.
Their importance goes beyond their design. Catboats reflect generations of Caymanian seamanship, boatbuilding skill and practical knowledge shaped by life at sea.
Today, surviving and restored catboats provide a direct connection to that history and allow traditional skills to be demonstrated, practised and shared.
What we do
Sailing & racing
Sailing and racing keep catboats active on the water, where seamanship, teamwork and practical experience can be shared between generations.
Regattas and sailing activities also give the wider community an opportunity to see Cayman’s traditional boats operating as they were intended.
Care & restoration
Maintaining the boats is part of preserving the tradition. Repairs and restoration create opportunities to pass on practical knowledge about materials, construction and traditional boat care.
Volunteer help may be needed for maintenance, preparation, restoration projects and other work associated with keeping the boats seaworthy and presentable.
Education & demonstrations
The Club helps introduce schools, community groups and visitors to Cayman’s catboat heritage through presentations, demonstrations and public displays.
Community events
Catboats can form part of cultural events, exhibitions, heritage activities and other community occasions where Cayman’s maritime traditions are being shared.
Presentations & catboat displays
Interested in bringing Cayman’s catboat heritage to a school, community group, wedding, cultural event, exhibition or corporate function?
The Club may be able to provide a presentation, display or other participation depending on availability, location and the nature of the event.
When contacting us, please include your organisation or event name, proposed date, location, approximate audience size and the type of activity you have in mind.
Submitting an enquiry does not confirm a booking. Arrangements and any applicable requirements or costs will be discussed before an event is confirmed.
Meet the boats
The Club’s catboats are at the heart of its activities, keeping Cayman’s traditional sailing heritage active on the water and providing a direct connection with generations of Caymanian boatbuilding and seamanship.
Brac Cat
Join in
Become a member
Membership is a way to support the Club, stay connected with its activities and become part of the community helping preserve Cayman’s catboat tradition.
Complimentary membership is available to eligible Caymanian retirees and members of the Cayman Islands Seafarers Association.
Volunteer your time
Help can take many forms, including boat maintenance, event preparation, race support, photography, administration, research and sharing maritime knowledge.
You do not need to be an experienced sailor or boatbuilder to contribute.
Our committee
The Cayman Catboat Club Association is supported by members and volunteers and overseen by its elected committee.
Contact the Club
For membership, volunteering, sailing activities, presentations, displays or other Club enquiries, please contact us through the website.
