Two of the most famous American painters from the early 1900s had a common interest. Homer Winslow and Edward Hopper both loved sailing, and both executed several works featuring cat boats. The cat''s design goes back to 1850, when it became known for its handling characteristics and seaworthy rig. Sandbaggers were super large cats, specially designed with extended bowsprits and booms to take on a maximum of sail area. Fast and famous, they became known for the sand bags that needed to be taken on board as ballast. A beautiful model of an historic racer, famous for the extreme lengths its skippers went to sail them to victory. Consider sand baggers as an exponent of early extreme sports. Their speed exceeded contemporary technology and soon resulted in them being banned by the authorities.
