Delve into the legacy of
The Crosby Boat House
The name Crosby is legendary in the world of sailing—especially when it comes to the iconic Crosby Catboat. Originating in the late 1800s, the Crosby Catboat quickly became a favorite among New England sailors for its simplicity, stability, and performance. From 1850 to 1970, the Crosby family built more than 3,000 catboats, solidifying their place in Cape Cod’s maritime history.
The Herbert F. Crosby Boat Shop, originally located on the shoreline where Nauticus Marina stands today, was carefully relocated to the Osterville Historical Museum to preserve its legacy. Built circa 1855, this authentic boat shop houses many of the original 19th-century boatbuilding tools used by the Crosby family, offering visitors a rare glimpse into traditional boat craftsmanship.
Adjacent to the boat shop are four exhibit spaces that showcase the Museum’s impressive collection of full-size wooden boats, half models, and two custom-built “hawk nests” created by noted designer Oliver Hinckley. The largest exhibit hall features two classic Wianno class sailboats—a Wianno Senior and a Wianno Junior—as well as a stunning WPA-era mural by Cape Cod artist Vernon Coleman.
Whether you're a sailing enthusiast or a fan of local history, the Crosby Boat Collection at the Osterville Historical Museum offers a one-of-a-kind experience rooted in the rich boatbuilding heritage of Cape Cod.
Whether you're a sailing enthusiast or a fan of local history, the Crosby Boat Collection at the Osterville Historical Museum offers a one-of-a-kind experience rooted in the rich boatbuilding heritage of Cape Cod.
Wianno Senior: #85 Venture Except for catboats, the Wianno Seniors are the best-known Crosby sailboats. The Seniors are built for one-design racing, so they are constructed to be as nearly identical as possible. To achieve this, they are built around a frame or “mold” that is used over and over in building each hull.This differs from the method used in building cat boats, principally because the ribs or “timbers,” when they are steamed and flexible, are bent up, around, and clamped to the outside of the mold. The first Seniors were launched in 1914 and the Wianno Senior Class remains an active class--over one hundred years later. H. Manley Crosby, working with his brother, Wilton, and his cousin, Ralph, a marine architect, designed the Senior and is the “father” of the Seniors.
Wianno Junior #77 Whallop The Junior was launched in 1922 and was used by the local Wianno Yacht Club to train its younger members to race. It also helped the children to learn to sail before graduating to the larger Senior. By 1941, 67 boats had been built and 46 of them were racing in Osterville. A few more were built after World War II, including our boat, "Whallop," #77. She is probably the last, built in 1961 and sailed from Hyannisport.
Wianno Junior #77 Whallop The Junior was launched in 1922 and was used by the local Wianno Yacht Club to train its younger members to race. It also helped the children to learn to sail before graduating to the larger Senior. By 1941, 67 boats had been built and 46 of them were racing in Osterville. A few more were built after World War II, including our boat, "Whallop," #77. She is probably the last, built in 1961 and sailed from Hyannisport.
Lapstrake Dinghy Sonata The Sonata is a lapstrake dinghy constructed under the supervision of Edward M. Crosby, son of Chester Crosby. It is a rowing boat which might be carried aboard a larger boat for ship-to-shore transportation. Such a boat is also referred to as a “tender.” It is of “lapstrake” construction. The name derives from the overlapping of the planking similar to a clapboard house.
Catboat Cayuga The oldest of our catboats was designed and built by Horace Manley Crosby in 1922 for Robert Roloson. The "Cayuga" is a typical Crosby catboat. It has a massive centerboard, a tiller, a square stern and a “barn door” rudder. This sturdy boat was built for recreation and is unique in that it has a deck of painted teak. Almost all Crosby boats have decks of painted canvas which is easy to maintain and provides good footing when wet.
Crosby Curlew Ida The Crosby Curlew is a twenty-three foot sloop for day sailing and overnight cruising. She was designed by William Daniel Knott, a well-known local marine surveyor and designer. Six boats were built in the 1960s by the Chester A. Crosby and Sons Boat Yard. Our Crosby Curlew was donated by former Senator John Warner. IDA often was seen sailing the bays with Senator Warner and his then-wife Elizabeth Taylor.
Beetle Cat Mistake The Beetle Cat are still used today for children in the Wianno Yacht Club Youth Sailing Program and was a mainstay there for many years. The Beetle Class was designed in 1920 and first set sail in 1921. Our 1970s beetlecat was owned and donated in 2008 by Commodore Francis W. Canzano, Commodore of the Oysterville Yacht Club. The design and production started with the Beetle Family Yard in New Bedford. The Beetles were famous for building outstanding whaleboats that supplied the New Bedford whaling fleet for many years. When commercial whaling began to fade, the Beetles decided to build boats for recreation.
Beetle Cat Mistake The Beetle Cat are still used today for children in the Wianno Yacht Club Youth Sailing Program and was a mainstay there for many years. The Beetle Class was designed in 1920 and first set sail in 1921. Our 1970s beetlecat was owned and donated in 2008 by Commodore Francis W. Canzano, Commodore of the Oysterville Yacht Club. The design and production started with the Beetle Family Yard in New Bedford. The Beetles were famous for building outstanding whaleboats that supplied the New Bedford whaling fleet for many years. When commercial whaling began to fade, the Beetles decided to build boats for recreation.
Wherry "Li'l Jen" The "Li'l Jen" is a wherry, an old design for rowing that was sometimes sailed. It is a European type that goes back to the 17th century. Pete Culler, a well-known Cape Cod builder who worked for Concordia Yacht Builders in the Padanarum village of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, designed this boat. Eddie Crosby, of the Chester A. Crosby and Sons Boat Yard in Osterville, built the "Li'l Jen" in 1969 for his family.
Wherry "Li'l Jen" The "Li'l Jen" is a wherry, an old design for rowing that was sometimes sailed. It is a European type that goes back to the 17th century. Pete Culler, a well-known Cape Cod builder who worked for Concordia Yacht Builders in the Padanarum village of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, designed this boat. Eddie Crosby, of the Chester A. Crosby and Sons Boat Yard in Osterville, built the "Li'l Jen" in 1969 for his family.
A boat inside a wooden garage or shed, with a yellow and white exterior and the word 'CALYPSO' on it.
Catboat Lazy Jack Another one of Crosby catboats is the “Lazy Jack,” built in 1923 by H. Manley Crosby. It is a classic example of a large square-stern cat boat with a “barn door” rudder and a cabin. This venerable boat was donated by Chester (Bookie) Crosby in 1985. It has the lines which demonstrate the sturdiness, the seaworthiness, and the practical usefulness which have made Crosby catboats widely known and respected for over 150 years.
Skiff "Libra" 1960s Chester Crosby built, 12’ long skiff
A vintage boat with the registration MS 1959 VW on display inside a wooden shelter, with an informational plaque nearby.
A small wooden sailboat displayed indoors with the sign 'Yankee Accent' hanging above it. The boat is on a gravel floor with informational plaques nearby, inside a wooden building with a window letting in natural light.
A wooden boat named Gypsy displayed in a rustic wooden building with informational plaque in front, support blocks underneath, and grass visible outside.
Interior of a wooden boat museum with two boats on display, one white and one wooden, and informational signs.
Wooden boat displayed indoors at an exhibition with signs for Mulberry Corners and vintage boat signs
Interior of a wooden boat museum with wooden walls, ceiling, and various nautical-themed artwork and decorations, including a model sailboat display with a detailed diagram, and a window in the background.
Three small wooden boat houses with shingled roofs, one labeled 'Boat Shop,' situated on a grassy area under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Night scene of a boat shop with lights on, two open barn-style doors revealing a boat inside, surrounded by greenery, with the moon shining in the sky.
A white wooden barn decorated with small colorful flags hanging on strings, with shadows cast on the barn's surface by the flags and nearby trees, under a clear blue sky.