Catalina Yachts, one of America’s most venerable and influential sailboat builders over the last 50 years introduced their all new Flagship Catalina 545 at October’s Annapolis sailboat show. The American designed and American-built family cruiser follows the very successful 425 that was launched two years ago and is a big sister to that design in many ways. This is the new look of Catalina’s Ocean Series yachts.
The boat is immediately distinctive as you first see it lying at a floating dock, as it was at the show. There are three large square windows in the hull, tinted dark so you can’t see inside; the sheer line is quite flat and modern; the bow, with it’s built-in bowsprit is not exactly plumb but is more vertical than earlier designs and similar to the 425’s bow; and, the cabin top is streamlined and low so it fits neatly with the curve of the sheer and the cockpit coaming. Read More