One joyful surprise of a charter sail is the unique experience sitting in the catbird seat on boat of 30 feet or longer. The concept was pioneered by Hunter Sailboats in the early 1980s as twin “stern perch” seats on the aft rail, but the term catbird quickly eclipsed that.

Catalina Sailboats and Beneteau Sailboats quickly f0llowed, and today the aftermarket has retrofitted smaller boats down to 22 feet with DIY catbirds. Hunter at one time had a small catbird on the bow at the pulpit, but it was clearly a hazard for maneuvering around the forestay to get out there. No telling how many people fell off.

Hoffman, Williamsburg Charter SailsThis photo of the Stetson Hoffman party shows how easily catbirds fit into the equilibrium of a day’s sail. Stetson is seated in the rear of the cockpit, just below the portside catbird. As we move left you can see her friend Sam at the wheel and his wife Teddy in the starboard catbird, followed by Chris Stetson on the left in the cockpit. That’s three different positions for conversation, viewing and running the boat.

The catbirds are positioned typically under the canvas bimini top, out of the sun. The view from there is spectacular because it’s higher off the cockpit and extends to take in the bow and beyond.

Let’s go sail. To see the rates and reserve a date for a sailboat charter, click here. To check out reviews from sailors, click here. To become a crew member on a charter sail or to tell us your sailing story,  click here.

More from the Captain...

Season Opener

Season Opener

After a shakedown cruise with a delightful couple from Fredericksburg, we launched the season opener with a fellow who brought his wife and sisters-in-law along for his third time at Let’s Go Sail. Since it was a Monday, we were on the lookout for two Moran tugs that would signal

Full Story >

Good Riddance

As many as 20 derelict sailboats and motorboats on the Hards at York River Yacht Haven are in the process of being crushed and trucked away. A few wooden boats date to the 1940s. Once the hill is cleared and graded, more current boats will move here from down the

Full Story >
Danger Sails

Danger Sails

A couple from metro Richmond returned for another sail and brought friends with them. Donna Ludwig recalled the last time she and Buddy went sailing. “It was with my brother-in-law on his sailboat, slightly smaller than this, say 27 feet. It was a day like today and we had a

Full Story >