The Colgate is a day sailing pocket cruiser. It is fast, extremely stable and comfortable. It has an unusually large cockpit for its length, seats 4 adults very comfortably and has an additional seat aft of the tiller for an instructor. The boat is designed to be sailed by two or more people.
The Colgate is non-tippable because of its heavily weighted keel,
and doesn't require a lot of water depth (4 1/2 feet). It is unusually
roomy for a boat of its size, and has an extra long cockpit. The boom
is a bit higher than normal so it swings overhead with a low likelihood
of jibe contact.
This boat, which is also our Basic Keelboat instructional boat, sails very well through a wide range of conditions. It's built to handle a good breeze as well as to keep moving in the lightest of airs. The rudder is extra large to ensure excellent control under the most difficult conditions and in the hands of the most novice sailors.
The cockpit design includes good secure foot bracing across to the leeward side. As soon as the boat heels, the rail seating, cambered subtly, assumes the perfect angle to keep you up on the high side without sliding down into the cockpit.
One of the most impressive things about this little boat is the sense of security it offers. Some boats require that you be strong as a gorilla and agile as a cat, but this cockpit is secure and efficient, definitely a user-friendly place to be.
