Anyone recognize this rare Canadian-built Chaser Cat? Trying to uncover its history
Hi everyone!
My family recently acquired this little 18’ Chaser Cat, and I’ve accidentally fallen down a very deep rabbit hole trying to figure out its history.
It was built in Erin, Ontario by Morette’s Limited / Morette’s Boat Division. Ours was built in 1984 as a 1985 model (HIN ZMT00009H485).
What I’ve learned so far is that these were produced in extremely small numbers in the early 1980s. Former owners and people connected to the factory have estimated somewhere around 12–20 were made, but I haven’t been able to confirm an exact production number.
The boat is an 18’ trailerable catboat with a freestanding mast, wishbone boom, retractable centreboard and kick-up rudder. Morette’s advertised it as a little heavy-weather “mini-cruiser.”
I’ve now located a few other surviving Chaser Cats in Ontario, as well as an original factory brochure, but there are still some big mysteries, especially who actually designed the Chaser Cat and whether any production records survive.
So I figured I’d ask the sailing hive mind: does anyone recognize these boats, remember Morette’s Boat Division, or know anything about the Chaser Cat design?
I’d especially love to hear from anyone who has owned one, sailed one, seen one sitting in a marina somewhere, or remembers seeing them at the Toronto boat shows in the early ’80s.
Even a “my neighbour had one!” story could give me another lead. 😊
— an accidental Chaser Cat historian ⛵️