Why do Wyliecats have such an unusual rig?
Tom Wylie says the idea for the first Wyliecat, a 30-footer (9.1m), originated in 1988 when he and Dave Wahle wondered what sort of boat might address a common problem. “If we could be in five yacht clubs at the same time anywhere in the world, we’d hear sailors talking about about their difficulty in getting crew, what a drag it is to get their boat sailing over lunchtime, and how heavy their jibs are,” says Wylie. By then, composites promised lighter weight and better bending characteristics than older masts, particularly those made of aluminum. Based on reports from reviewers and owners alike, Wyliecats are winners, but says Wylie, “I can’t attribute their success to one thing alone.” It’s the synchronization of multiple elements that makes it work. (This is an excerpt from Steven Callahan’s article Native Son, which appeared in Professional BoatBuilder magazine.
