history of catalina yachts

Not Your Grandfather’s Catalina

— a perspective by ed massey.

Recently there was an article written by a dealer of one of the Group Beneteau yacht brands. In the article the author made the statement that the French yacht he represents was “not your grandfather’s Catalina”. On balance that was a pretty true statement. Even truer is the fact that today’s Catalina yacht is not your grandfather’s Catalina. During the Great Recession all yacht builders faced severe challenges. A number of sailing yacht manufacturers did not survive the Great Recession and are no longer in business. Several builders stopped building sailing yachts in favor of dedicating 100% of their production to power yachts, an easier sale and a much larger market. Group Beneteau while still building low priced sailing yachts, Beneteau and Jeanneau, has shifted a good deal of their production and resource to growing their power boat market in the US. Their power boats have taken a toll on Sea Ray’s market share, not a sailor’s power boat but certainly an opportunity rich market. Their sailboat brands continue to court the charter industry where boats need only stand up to five years of use.

Their Lagoon catamarans have been particularly successful in the charter trade. By contrast Catalina has recently purchased the True North Downeast molds and will produce a true sailors single engine power boat. During the recession the Group Beneteau monohull sailboat brands made a conscience decision to become the unchallenged price leader. To do this they needed to deconstruct their yachts in ways that cut costs but did not show to the untrained eye or a casual walk through at a boat show. Their boats can boast being at the forefront of the Euro fashion trend. No one can deny that they are sexy, sleek looking yachts. The interiors while being rather IKEA in look and quality not always suited for sea conditions that are less than ideal personify all that is ultra-modern in style and of the moment.

Catalina took a different direction during this recessionary period. Tartan was building very few sailing yachts, Island Packet changed hands several times, the same with Seaward and Blue Jacket, almost no J Boats cruising type models were in production, Sabre stopped sailboat production entirely. Shannon ceased production and quality New England builders, Hinckley and Alden were not building sailing yachts, Outbound rarely built a new yacht. The better European builders likewise were building very few yachts. Catalina sensed there was something of a hole in the higher end of the sailing yacht market. After Frank Butler canvased his Catalina dealers as to where they thought they could be the most successful and what the Catalina direction should be the decision was made to upgrade the Catalina line of yachts and move from a really good yacht to a great yacht. The result of that evolving direction was the birth of the 5 Series of Catalina yachts.

The Catalina 445 was launched in 2009 as a 2010 model year yacht. Its virtually instant success was confirmation that Catalina had found a market niche that they were uniquely well suited to fill. Gerry Douglas provided the inspiration for the design direction and carried that thinking forward with the introduction of the 355, the 385 and the 315. While the 5 Series yachts were winning awards and boosting Catalina’s production they did not take full advantage of the Euro trend of style. Catalina yachts are somewhat conservative by nature with always an eye on the realities of life at sea. Safety at sea and a sea kindly motion will always be a major concern at Catalina Yachts. The introduction of the Catalina 425 took advantage of a more Euro look to the hull form. Now with the impending introduction of the Catalina 525 the DNA of the super successful 425 has been fully realized. This is where the phrase, “not your grandfather’s Catalina” needs to be more fully expanded on. The core values of Catalina yacht construction will always radiate around honest quality construction with dependable systems and performance cruising sail plans. Catalina has introduced many important innovations over the years and their evolution coalesced nicely with the introduction of the 5 Series. The following bullet points highlight the enduring standards as well as ongoing innovations. Many of these construction details are not available as standard or as an option on other yacht brands. Lead keels, lead is about 20 times more expensive than cast iron. The advantages include impact absorption and minimal maintenance Teak interiors, a mixture of warm teak wood tones and bright maple accents give the Catalina interiors a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic Water tight collision bulkhead, not found on any other popular brand StrikeZone, impact zone with high density foam under the anchor locker, not found on any other popular brand 5-part construction featuring a dedicated structural grid beneath the cabin sole, this grid adds important torsional stiffness and bears and disperses the torque loads from the engine and mast compression Secure Socket chain plate system, simply the best and strongest chain plate system in the industry T-Beam mast step system, providing all the benefits of a deck stepped mast and the strength of a keel stepped mast Deep Defense rudder system, adds a huge safety margin in the event that the rudder is damaged Centralized filter lockers and ease of access to the oil dip stick, makes checking your fluids and filters easy and convenient Offshore quality inward flange deck to hull joint Knitted fabrics used for a stronger laminate and stiffer structure Oversized travelers, winches and lines for ease of sail handling in all conditions Innerspring mattresses in all sleeping quarters Navigation AC/DC panel with additional circuits for added options Wide, clear weather decks designed with inboard shrouds for moving forward with ease All Catalina’s larger than 30 feet are built to robust standards including: rated CE category A Ocean, NMMA Yacht Certified Program, and follow all applicable ABYC American Boat and Yacht Council construction standards. Most of the bulleted items were not available on your grandfather’s Catalina. Catalina is truly an evolutionary line of fine cruising sailing yachts. Catalina has been continuously producing yachts for 50 years. Catalina is owned, designed and built in America under the same ownership since day one. Catalina resale values and customer loyalty are among the highest in the industry. Dollar for dollar and feature for feature Catalina is a better, safer sailing yacht.

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Eight Bells: Frank Butler, Founder of Catalina Yachts

• By Mark Pillsbury
• Updated: November 18, 2020

The sailing community this week lost a giant among the ranks of production boat builders. Frank Willis Butler, president and chief executive officer of Catalina Yachts, passed away November 15, 2020 in Westlake Village, CA, due to unexpected complications from a recent illness. In making the announcement, Catalina said, “We extend our most heartfelt condolences and sympathy to Frank’s family. Our thoughts are with them at this most difficult time.”

A sailing icon and industry “kingspoke”, Frank Butler introduced hundreds of thousands of people to sailing during his lifetime. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Frank have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Frank leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Catalina Yachts.

Born in California in 1928, Frank’s line of popular sailboats put more than 85,000 Catalinas on the water throughout the yachting world. His boatbuilding career began in 1962, when he contracted with a Southern California builder for a 21′ daysailer. The builder was unable to finish the boat, and gave Butler the tooling. He completed building the boat himself, found he enjoyed the process, and agreed to take over the company.

A few years later he founded Catalina Yachts, which has grown to become the largest builder of fiberglass production sailboats in the United States, a position it holds to this day.

RELATED: Cruising at 80

A key to Butler’s success in the sailboat industry was his attention to Catalina customers. Handling warranty issues himself, owners were nearly always surprised and reassured to get a personal call from Frank to discuss their concerns.

Butler was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2013. In recognition of his support of the Congressional Cup, a world match racing event, Long Beach Yacht Club awarded him the Crimson Blazer. He was also a founder and lifelong member of the Westlake Yacht Club in Westlake, CA.

Following his graduation from Glendale High School, he served in the US Navy. He met his wife, Jean, at a school dance; they recently celebrated their 71st anniversary.

Frank is survived by Jean, their four daughters, Deborah Reese, Mary Linn, Nancy Bear, and Karen Butler; three sons, David, Robert and Steve; 20 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Awakening the joy of sailing for so many people in past generations, Frank Butler’s sailing legacy will certainly continue well into future generations.

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• Catalina Yachts

Founded by Frank Butler. In sheer numbers sold, Catalina Yachts is certainly the most successful builder of sailboats ever in the US, and possibly the world. Time line extract from the company’s website: July 1969-Catalina’s first model, the Catalina 22, is built in North Hollywood, CA. Company owner Frank Butler hopes to build 100 boats if all goes well. March 1970-Catalina’s second model, the Catalina 27, is introduced following the success of the Catalina 22. December 1974-Catalina’s third model, the Catalina 30, is introduced; the trend-setting design is an immediate sales success and wins its class in the Newport to Ensenada Race. February 1975-The Catalina 22 exceeds Frank Butler’s hopes to build 100 boats when hull number 5,000 is completed. August 1979-The “International Friendship Regatta” is held in Japan; 4 U.S. and 10 Japanese crews compete in Coronado 15s. February 1980-SAIL Magazine names the Catalina 22 “trailerable boat of the decade.” March 1980-The Catalina 38 is selected as the match-racing boat for Congressional Cup by the Long Beach Yacht Club; Dennis Durgan wins. September 1980-Catalina 22 hull number 10,000 is completed. C22s are being built at Catalina’s East and West Coast plants in England, Australia, and Canada. January 1982-Patrick Childress completes a 2 1/2 year, singlehanded circumnavigation in his Catalina 27. July 1982-The first Catalina 36 is completed at the Woodland Hills, Ca., plant. March 1983-Mainsheet Magazine issue no. 1 is published, quickly growing to over 100 pages and 10,000 Catalina owner subscribers. May 1984-Catalina acquires Morgan Yachts in Largo, Fl., which becomes the Morgan Division of Catalina, specializing in cruising and charter boats and building many Catalina models on the East Coast. May 1985-Catalina 27 hull number 6,000 is built in Woodland Hills, making the C-27 the largest class of keelboats in the world. October 1987-Catalina 30 hull number 5,000 is completed. Catalina 30s are being built at the East and West Coast plants, as well as in Canada and England. November 1987-Singlehanded sailor Shane St. Clair sails his Capri 18 from Oxnard, Ca., to Hawaii in 28 days. July 1988-Billy Peterson supervises the installation of the largest (70 ft.)Computerized sail-plotting and cutting machine in the U.S. at the Woodland Hills, California plant. August 1988-Coronado 15 skipper Alison Jolly becomes the first woman to skipper in the Olympics; she wins a gold medal in the women’s 470 Class. January 1989-The first Catalina 42 is built. 100 hulls are delivered in the first year, breaking U.S. production records. February 1990-Catalina 22 hull number 15,000 is delivered. March 1990-The Catalina 37 is selected for the Congressional Cup, the first time a fleet of 11 has been designed and built especially for the Congressional Cup. Chris Dickson wins. September 1990-Catalina 30 hull number 6,000 is completed, setting a new keel-boat production record. July 1991-The first Catalina 28 is built. August 1991-Catalina’s Morgan Division completes Procyon, a 65-foot test boat for new concepts in yacht design and construction for Olaf Harken and Procyon Inc. November 1992-Catalina’s Morgan Division introduces the Morgan 38, the first all-new Morgan model in a decade. December 1992-The Catalina 270 is unveiled, replacing the C-27 and wins one of Cruising World Magazine’s “Boat of the Year” awards. February 1993-The Catalina 320 is introduced at the first “Sail Expo” and is enthusiastically received by new owners. February 1994-The Catalina 400 is introduced at “Sail Expo,” the only twin-wheel boat built in the U.S.; it’s the hit of the show. February 1994-The Capri 16.5 introduced at “Sail Expo,” a beach launchable performance sailing dinghy for sailors with a wide range of ages and skills May 1994-The Catalina 250 is introduced as the first water ballast trailerable sailboat from Catalina. January 1995-Frank Butler receives SAIL’S Industry Award for Leadership for “building boats that are “straightforward, offer price for value, are solid and honest”…“With a product analogous to the Ford in the car business, Catalina Yachts has allowed vast numbers of people to experience sailing, considering both the skill level and financial wherewithal of potential sailors, that might not have been able to otherwise, thus radically changing the sport of sailing over the past 25 years.” January 1995-The Catalina 22 markII is introduced with re-designed and enlarged deck and new interior. February 1995-The Catalina 22 is named as one of five charter members to Sailboat Hall of Fame. March 1995-The Catalina 36 mark II wins one of Cruising World Magazine’s “Boat of the Year” awards. April 1995-Catalina 250 Hull number 100 is built in Woodland Hills. May 1995-Catalina 42 hull number 500 is built in Woodland Hills. February 1996-The Catalina 34 markII is introduced with re-designed and enlarged deck, transom and interior. March 1996-The Catalina 28 mark II wins one of Cruising World Magazine’s “Boat of the Year” awards. April 1996-The Catalina 380 is introduced as reflection of the priorities expressed by experienced sailing couples and families. November 1996-Catalina 400 Hull number 100 is built in Largo, Florida January 1997-The Catalina 380 wins one of Cruising World Magazine’s Mid-Size Cruising“Boat of the Year” award. January 1998-The Catalina 470 is introduced January 1999- Catalina inaugurates the Catalina Cruisers Hall of Fame to honor the Catalina owners’ who have made notable voyages aboard their boats. February 1999-The Catalina 310 is introduced and wins Cruising World Magazine’s Pocket Cruiser “Boat of the Year” award. February 2000-The Catalina 310 is selected by Sail Magazine and it’s readers as one of the Top 10 sailboats for 2000 December 2000 -Catalina 36 Hull number 2000 is built in Woodland Hills, CA. September 2001-The Catalina Capri 22 is updated and is selected by Sail Magazine and it’s readers as one of the Top 10 sailboats for 2001. May 2001 -Catalina 14.2 Hull number 5000 is built in Woodland Hills, CA January 2002-The Catalina 350 is introduced to enthusiastic reviews and results in 100 boats sold the first model year. July 2002-The Catalina Expo 12.5 and 14.2 are introduced as particularly easy to sail for both younger and older sailors. September 2002 -Catalina Capri 22 Hull number 1000 is built in Woodland Hills, CA Catalina manufacturers ID: CTY

Associations

• Catalina 470 Class Association
• Catalina 310 Owners Association
• Catalina 27-270 Association
• Capri 22 National Association
• Catalina 380 Association
• Capri 14.2 National Association
• Catalina 36 International Association
• Catalina 22 National Association
• Catalina 400
• Catalina Owners
• Catalina 34 International Association
• Catalina 25, 250, Capri 25 International Assoc.
• Catalina 42 Owners
• Catalina 320 International Association

Catalina 18

• Catalina 30 Yacht Owners Association
• US Sabot Class Assciation

Catalina 38

• Carpentier/Butler
• Charles McGregor
• Charles Morgan
• Frank Butler
• Frank V. Butler
• Gerry Douglas
• Nelson Marek
• Robert Finch
• Rodger Martin
• Sparkman & Stephens
• Ted Carpentier

69 sailboats built by Catalina Yachts

Catalina 22

Catalina 27

Catalina 30

Catalina 25

Catalina Capri 14.2

Coronado 15

Capri Cyclone

Catalina Capri 22

Catalina 36

Catalina 34

Catalina 28

Catalina 42

Catalina Capri 26

Catalina 42 MK II

Morgan Out Island 41 Classic

Catalina 37

Catalina Capri 37

Catalina Morgan 381

Catalina 470

Catalina 250

Catalina 390

Catalina 380

Catalina 250 (Water Balllast)

Catalina 30 MKIII

Catalina 310

Catalina (Morgan) 50

Catalina 13

Catalina 14.2.

Catalina 28 MKII

Catalina 375

Catalina 350

Catalina 400 Mk II

Catalina 16.5k.

Catalina 30 MKII

Catalina 320

Catalina 385

Catalina Morgan 44

Catalina Aero 20

Catalina Capri 25

Catalina Capri 23.5

Catalina 22 MKII

Catalina Expo 14.2

Catalina Capri 30

Catalina Morgan 45

Catalina 445

Catalina 545

Catalina 355

Independence 20.

Catalina 270

Catalina 320 mkii, catalina 16.5.

Catalina 30 (W/Bowsprit)

Catalina 14.2k.

Catalina Morgan 440

Catalina 275 Sport

Catalina Capri 16.5

Catalina 315

Catalina 309

Catalina 34 MKII

Catalina Expo 12.5

Catalina Capri 18

Catalina 387

Catalina 425

Catalina 36 MK II

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• Catalina 12.5 Expo
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• Catalina 425
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MAINSHEET MAGAZINE

• TRUE NORTH YACHTS

A legacy built on precision, innovation and unmistakable American craftsmanship.

Elevate your sailing experience with a touch of true American Luxury.

CHEERS! TO OUR OWNERS, DEALERS & TEAM

A key to our success and longevity is the relationship and communication with our owners, dealers and team. For more than 50 years they have propelled us forward as America’s largest sailboat builder.

We are a Catalina family.

MEET OUR FLEET

We’re not just building sailboats; we’re creating experiences that resonate with the essence of American Luxury. Our fleet is a testament to a legacy built on precision, innovation, and the spirit of adventure, with the unmistakable touch of American craftsmanship.

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We have a roster of dealers across the country who represent the Catalina fleet and there’s a good chance they’re planing a show, event or open house to showcase their in-stock Catalina models.

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The official publication for thousands of Catalina Yachts sailboat owners around the world.

FORGING AHEAD

From the past 50 years, and to the next 50, Catalina is devoted to providing owners and dealers with quality and value that has made Catalina America’s largest sailboat builder.

Frank Butler’s vision and philosophy carries forward with Sharon Day, who worked alongside Frank for 48 years, at the helm of a veteran leadership team.

TRUE NORTH BY CATALINA

True North initiates Catalina’s entry into the growing market segment of Downeast-style powerboats and promises traditional style with great performance and Catalina value.

PROUDLY OWNED, DESIGNED & BUILT IN AMERICA

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