About KNOTICAT

  • A raised saloon cabin to provide more area and headroom inside.

  • A roll on/off ramp to take wheelchairs safely from the pontoon to the boat.

  • An extra 1 metre was added on to the stern to increase stability with the weight of extra wheelchairs and stainless steel safety rails/ platform etc

  •  a large flat cockpit area with an electric wheelchair ramp into the saloon  an extra outside steering position suitable for wheelchairs with all the controls and most ropes accessible.

  • An accessible private toilet with grab rails and sink.

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In 2003

Knoticat really is a very old girl indeed, as she was built in Christchurch in 1972.

She started life as a 9-metre Catalac, and after serving as a private yacht, was purchased in 2001 by Sports Forum for the Disabled, a sports club charity for disabled and founded in 1991.

In 2003, she was extensively modified to make her accessible for wheelchairs, with;

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Starting out

Knoticat is a 10m Catalac sailing catamaran and has been extensively modified with wide ramps to make access easy for most wheelchairs.
The boat was purchased in 2001 and has been in continuous use ever since, providing a unique sailing experience for its users. Most sailing seasons, more than 500 disabled and their carers sail with us.  ​ Knoticat has room to take up to seven passengers. She has two steering positions, one of which is at a low level for those in wheelchairs. She also has a fully enclosed cabin with an accessible private toilet. Being a catamaran, she provides a stable platform for anyone who is new to sailing. The boat carries all the latest safety devices, is fitted with up-to-date communication and navigation equipment and on every trip we have a qualified first-aider. We have a full galley and tea and coffee are usually made during the trips. We try to provide a real ‘hands-on’ sailing experience with everyone able to participate in the steering, sailing and navigation.

Vintage Status in 2022

Knoticat will be 50 years old next year, officially making her a vintage boat! She was actually built in 1972 in Christchurch and designed by a famous resident called Tom Lack, hence the name as a combination of catamaran cat+lac making the name of the model Catalac. The boats were designed as a shallow draft catamaran to navigate the shallow waters of Christchurch and Poole harbours. However, even now, they can be found all over the world. In those 21 years she has given pleasure to many thousands of disabled and carers by providing real 'hands on sailing' experience to so many who lack the mobility or opportunity to go offshore sailing around the beautiful Jurassic Coast. It would be wonderful if we could celebrate in some way this special anniversary for Knoticat which has recently been refurbished and is now ready for many more years of service. A big thank you to all the present and past volunteers and supporters of the Knoticat sailing project.

OUR AIM IS....

Sailing for Disabled and Carers

We just want you to have the best day out ever, and see our beautiful Poole harbour from the water.

Part of The Sports Forum for the Disabled (Sports Club) Charity no. 900608