Based on the out-board racer SKUA, an 8 ft. plywood skimmer designed in 1939 by Charles MacGregor, the Cocktail Class Runabout is an economical, easily constructed and exciting runabout. It is ideal for racing at all skill levels and ages.

The Cocktail Class is a ridiculously nifty 8-foot-long racing boat. Originally known as the "Skua," this 1939 design by Charles MacGregor was published in The Rudder Magazine as an example of what could be done with a novel new material called "plywood."

Soon after its introduction in 1991 the 16 foot Skua became our most popular model. It’s easy to see why. From its fine, yet buoyant bow to its high, tightly tucked transom, this elegant craft has everything the performance oriented cruising rower could want: speed, stability, capacity, ruggedness, portability and safety.

The Cocktail Class Racer is a very nifty 8-foot racer. It is based on a 1939 design called the Skua by Charles MacGregor, originally published in The Rudder Magazine as an example of what could be done with a novel new material called ‘plywood’.

The boat of choice was the SKUA, designed by Charles McGregor and published in the August 1939 issue of Rudder Magazine. It was the right size, easy to build and looked awesome. The first boat, “Miss Bud” (#7), was launched on Presidents’ weekend in 2008.

Jul 19, 2017 · Originally a 1939 design called a “Skua,” the plywood boats speed around the markers in two-lap heat races in two outboard engine classes—6- or 8-hp—with top speeds between 18 and 26 miles per hour, respectively.

May 31, 2024 · ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Skimming over the Lehigh with local Tom Kerr is a big thrill in a small boat. "It's called Skua, which is actually an Arctic bird," Kerr said of the boat.

The SKUA is the largest boat that can be sensibly demounted and towed behind a car. With round bilge hulls, dagger-boards, kick-up semi-balanced rudders and a performance rig, Skua was designed for those who want a larger version of the micromultihulls like Strider.

Skua was built as a racing yole in the early 1930s using larch planking. She was built for the then novelist and writer Eric Linklater by William Ritch of Deerness for the sum of £45.18.5 1/2d which included mast, spars and oars.

The complete kit includes computer-cut parts in 4mm, 6mm, and 9mm okoume marine plywood, an external jig for hull shaping, a premium epoxy kit, fiberglass cloth for inside and out, copper wire and other sundry hardware bits. (Steering and throttle controls sold separately.)