Catalina

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 80,000 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.

In 1961, Catalina Yachts founder Frank Butler (January 17, 1928 - November 15, 2020) took over the production of his own boat when his original boat builder ran out of funds and borrowed money from Frank; unable to repay the debt, the builder instead gave Frank the tooling to continue building the boat. Frank ended up taking control of the company, renaming it Wesco Marine and later Coronado Yachts. Many early Coronado 25 boats have the Wesco Marine nameplate on the transom.

In 1984, Catalina acquired Morgan Yachts and introduced the Catalina Morgan 440 in 2004, now discontinued. The other Morgan models, including the Catalina designed M381 and M45 center cockpit, were recently retired as well.

Catalina Yachts is now the only American builder of fiberglass production sailboats, with more than 80,000 boats manufactured to date. Although Catalina produces boats as small as eight feet under the Capri nameplate, the company is known for its production of mid-sized cruisers, generally introducing a newly designed model nearly every year.

Catalina sailboats are produced out of its Largo, FL, facility, an 18-acre site where much of the manufacturing process takes place. Although the Catalina brand was built upon sailboats, the recently acquired True North line of motor yachts is the company focus today. After the passing of founder Frank Butler, his former secretary and longtime close personal friend, Sharon Day, was appointed president, chief engineer and CEO by the Butler family. Patrick Turner, the company’s longtime national sales manager and an industry marketing executive, now manages the Florida factory. He currently serves on the Sail America Board of Directors.

Source: Wikipedia. Image Credit: Wikipedia