Catalina Yachts is a U.S.-based builder of fiberglass monohull sloop-rigged sailboats ranging in sizes from eight to 47 feet in length. It was founded in 1969 in Hollywood, California by Frank Butler . Catalina Yachts is one of the largest boat manufacturers in the world, with over 60,000 boats manufactured to date. Though Catalina produces boats from as small as eight feet under their Capri nameplate, the company is best known for its production of mid-sized cruisers.
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History
In 1961, Catalina Yachts founder Frank Butler (b. January 17, 1928) took over the production of his own boat when his original boat builder ran out of funds and borrowed money from Butler; unable to repay the debt, the builder instead gave Butler the tooling to continue building the boat. Butler later gained full control of the company, renaming it Wesco Marine and later Coronado Yachts. Many Early Coronado 25 yachts have the Wesco Marine nameplate on the transom.
Among the first models built by Coronado were the Victory 21 and the Super Satellite. In 1964, the Coronado '25 was produced, becoming the first boat with a one piece interior, making the boat stronger, lighter, and less expensive than previous models. By 1969 the Coronado 27 and 30 foot models were being produced. In 1969 Butler sold Coronado to the Whittaker Corporation which had already acquired Columbia Yachts; Whittaker continued the Coronado line until 1974 producing the Coronado 34 with the center cockpit models 35 and 41. Butler remained with Whitaker for only one year then left due to disagreements with management.
The first model built by Catalina Yachts was a 22-foot design previously rejected by Columbia. By 1977 Butler had designed and produced three more models: the Catalina 25, Catalina 27, and the Catalina 30. In 1978 Catalina developed the Catalina 38 based on molds for a Sparkman & Stephens racing design purchased from the bankrupt Yankee Yacht Company. Butler redesigned the interior and gave it a "Catalina deck", taller mast, shorter boom, and moved the rudder.
In 1984 Catalina acquired Morgan Yachts and continues to use the brand name for the deck-salon style CatalinaMorgan 440 introduced in 2004. The other Morgan models, including the Catalina designed M381 and M45 center cockpit, were recently retired.
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Catalina Yachts today
Catalina Yachts is one of the largest boat manufacturers in the world, with over 60,000 boats manufactured to date. Though Catalina produces boats from as small as eight feet under their Capri nameplate, the company is best known for its production of mid-sized cruisers. The ocean-going Catalina 50 was their largest design, but has been discontinued and replaced by the 470. Most original models are still in production albeit with substantial modifications, and there are examples of every Catalina model still in use.
Gerry Douglas, a principal in the company, became Chief Engineer and Vice President in the late 1970s and has designed and engineered every boat in the line since that time.
Today Catalina has one production facility, in Largo, Florida, overseen by Gerry Douglas. This manufacturing facility is the former Morgan plant, and was bought by Catalina in 1984. Catalina's classic approach of putting the deck on before the components go in was the rule in the old Woodland Hills, CA, production factory, which closed in 2009 when the move to Florida was completed. In Florida, the components go in before the deck goes on. In some cases, large assemblies such as the head (bathroom) are pre-assembled and craned into the hull. This may be a vestige of the Morgan production culture. However, in any case the philosophy remains that every bolt-on part must fit through the hatches for maintenance--even the engine.
With a few exceptions, Catalina has focused on long term models, but generally making small changes from year to year. This policy has encouraged the development of active owners' associations which promote "one design" racing, Catalina Rendezvous meetups throughout the country, and other forms of owner engagement. All of the larger cruising class boats, 27 feet and larger, have fixed keels with lead ballast. A notable feature of most Catalina boats is their large cabin interiors and storage they provide.
Cruising World "Boat of the Year" winners
- 2017 - Catalina 425
- 2014 - Catalina 275
- 2013 - Catalina 315
- 2012 - Catalina 385
- 2011 - Catalina 355
- 2010 - Catalina 445
- 2009 - Catalina 375
- 2007 - Catalina 309
- 2004 - Catalina 440
- 2001 - Catalina 390
- 1999 - Catalina 310
- 1997 - Catalina 380
- 1996 - Catalina 28 Mark II
- 1995 - Catalina 36 Mark II
- 1992 - Catalina 270
Catalina Models
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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