RebelCat 5 DVD Contents

Here is a list of the chapters on the DVD and what you can expect to see and hear in each one.

About the video:
Run time: 96 minutes (1 hour 36 minutes)
Fullscreen, English narration
No region encoding - plays in all countries.

1. Introduction - See RebelCat 5 sailing. Meet me, the originator of the RebelCat design. I tell you why I'm doing this.

2. Origin of the RebelCat design - A guided tour through all of the RebelCats, from the prototype made in Brazil to the current state-of-the-art homemade cat, number 5.

3. Flotation and Why You Need It - Flotation charts with all the information you need to calculate your flotation requirements, pipe diameter and length, with examples. Chart here. FAQ 15 on pontoon length here.

4. RebelCat 5 vs RebelCat 1 - A comparison of the features of both, so you can see what 8 years of development have done.

5. Tools and Materials You Will Need - A list of tools and materials is also included on the disc in the Resources folder. This chapter is brief and suggests that you take notes while watching, to record what tools you may not have and materials you need, if you decide to make it differently than the DVD shows.

6. Safe and Efficient Workspace - I show you my workspace and make suggestions on the space you will need to build your cat.

7. Workflow Overview - A quick slide show of drawings showing the stages of construction, so you know what you will be doing.

8. Construction Step-by-Step - 14 chapters covering the construction of all of the parts of your cat (see details below).

9. Assembly - Several examples of how to assemble your cat on the shore, prior to sailing. The entire process - from untying parts from your roofrack to launch is about 90 minutes for one person, half that for two. Why? It's only 30 minutes to take it apart and tie it back on, less if you have a helper.

10. Sailing Tips - how to adjust and tune your cat for different sailing conditions. Covers the traveler and adjustable jib fairleads.

11. Sailing Safety - Some suggestions for staying safe.

12. Conclusion - Unfinished business, me telling you things that were not yet covered, wishing you success, etc.

Construction Chapters Detailed

1. Buying PVC Pipe - That's right, I even show you how to buy and cut your pipe, right there in the company's yard! If you mess up here, it could cost you, so I cover this in detail. See FAQ 15 for more on this.

2. Support Spacers - Two or three supports that hold your pontoons in the right place for building the rest of the boat.

3. Heat-shaping Pontoons - You may or may not want to do this - your choice -  but if you want those wedge-shaped, low-drag and super -fast hulls that modern cats have, this chapter details the entire process. I invented this method, so you won't see this anywhere else.

4. Foam Disc Bulkheads - These things are what turn your PVC pipe into rigid and safe pontoons, by creating many bulkheads inside. In case your pontoon gets punctured, the bulkheads prevent the water from filling the pontoon.

5. Pontoon Cones - You can use cones front and rear or just rear - your choice. Or you can heat-shape both ends. This chapter shows you how I made the cones for the rear of the pontoons, and they perform like magic, leaving no wake at all behind the cat.

6. Deck - The main structure of the cat, where you will sit and reach all controls. Storage under deck covers, cushions, the works.

7. Fore And Aft Spreaders - The 'bridges' that make the cat more rigid yet flexible. The fore spreader holds the bowsprit, the rear holds the rudder and traveler.

8. Bowsprit/Centerboard Trunk - This clever unit, which you will only see on my cats, combines the long bowsprit, which holds the forestay and jib, and the centerboard trunk, where your rotating centerboard operates. It also has the mast step. Borrowed from RebelCat 1, this unique construction has matured into a very practical and functional multipurpose structure.

9. Mast - Mine is made from aluminum pipe, but you can use wood or fiberglass.

10. Boom - Made from oak, simple and strong.

11. Sails - Sewn from polyester fabric bought from Wal Mart's discount table for $1 per yard. You can also use polytarp (free designs and instructions on the Web) or Tyvek. Or you can buy a used sail on craigslist or eBay. I show you how I made mine.

12. Centerboard - The rotating centerboard folds up neatly under the deck for launching and beaching. It kicks up in case it hits the bottom or a rock, and can be fixed in any of five positions.

13. Rudder - Like the centerboard, made from exterior plywood and sealed. Kicks up also. Chapter covers the rudder, rudderstock, tiller and extension.

14. Hardware - Those metal things that all sailboats seem to have. This covers the ones that allow the deck and spreaders to be strapped tightly to the pontoons.

Resources Folder

If you have a computer, you can view and print out the following files (images in .jpg):

Drawings of all parts with measurements
Workflow Overview graphics
Photos of parts with explanations
Flotation Charts
Lists of Materials and Tools needed

End of DVD Contents

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