About Back Bay Boat Works

Back Bay Boat Works was established in 1986 by Don Rypinski who has extensive design and production experience with boats and landsailers. In 1962 Don worked for Carter Pyle at Newport Boats when they were producing the 18 foot "P" Cat (a very successful predecessor to the Hobie Cat) along with the Olympic Finn and Kite Dinghys. In l972, Don worked with Richard Arthur on the design of the Balboa 20 sailboat produced by Arthur Marine.

In 1986, Don designed the first of what was to become a series of small, lightweight multi-hull boats which could be transported on an automobile roof rack. First came the 14 foot OUTRUNNER Sailing Outrigger, then the 14 foot TRITON Tandem Sailer, a folding trimaran, then the 12 foot VERSACAT Rowmaran. In 2003 Don designed the 14 foot VERSACAT PowerCat. Just completed in 2005 is the 14 foot OUTRUNNER Power Outrigger.

The OUTRUNNER Sailing Outrigger was designed to be a lightweight, roofrack transportable sailboat that can hold up to 3 adults. It has a roller furling unstaid mast with a sail that has vertical battens and sail panels. It has trampolenes on both sides of the main hull and a 12 foot ama. It can be sailed and/or motored (as an optional accessory) by and electric rudder-mounted outboard trolling motor . It has several unique, patented features including a "wedge" transom with a sweep action rudder that radically outperforms traditional rudders. The unstayed carbon fiber mast is free to rotate in delron bearings allowing the high roach, boomless sail with vertical panels battens to wrap around it like a window shade when furled.

The TRITON Tandem Sailer is a swing-wing folding trimaran designed as a lightweight, roofrack transportable sailing kayak that can be paddled, motored or sailed by two adults each in a separate cockpit. It has several unique, patented features including a "wedge" transom with a sweep action rudder that radically outperforms traditional rudders. The unstayed carbon fiber mast is free to rotate in delron bearings allowing the high roach, boomless sail with vertical panels battens to wrap around it like a window shade when furled. Foot steering enables the pilot to have both hands free to easily handle the sail furling line and sheet line while underway. With both amas folded in, the TRITON is 5 feet wide.

When extended out, the boat is 12 feet wide which reduces the possibility of a capsize to a minimum. With just 5 minutes of instruction, people with little or no sailing experience are made to feel in control, comfortable and safe in the TRITON.

The VERSACAT Rowmaran is a 14 foot catamaran that can be disassembled by pulling 4 pins. It can be transported on a roof rack without the need for disassembly. It has 4 watertight hatches (two in each hull) and can hold batteries if one is interested in attaching an electric trolling motor.

The VERSACAT PowerCat was originally developed to provide paddling and rowing clubs with a coaching boat that was stable, manouverable, economic and easy to transport and store. The entire boat without the motor weighs approximately 350 lbs. It can be powered by any gas outboard up to 15 hp max. or by an electric trolling motor. There is considerable storage in each hull and in the console on deck. Accessories include a folding bimini top for shade, handrails, spray guards, and a bench seat with storage inside that fits against the front side of the console. As it has evolved in production, the Versacat also lends itself to being used for fishing, patrolling, touring, and skindiving. It has been referred to by one customer as a sea going pick up truck.

The OUTRUNNER Power Outrigger is a 14 foot coaching boat with a 12 foot ama that can be disassembled by pulling 4 pins and transported on the same trailer as the shells and canoes so team coaches always have a boat when away from home port.

Please click on the red links above for more information about either of our fine boats