Catalina 445

[nemier]

Has anyone seen the new Catalina 445 or want to discuss it?

[camaraderie]

To be introduced April 15th! Just in time for your tax refund!

[soulfinger]

Looks nice to me...like the idea of a "multi-purpose" storage or other room. I nice ammenity for cruisers and liveaboards.

I am surpised that the LWL is only 38' given that fairly plumb bow. But how they can get a boat this big to only draw 4'10" is impressive. That' only a few inches deeper than my 350.

[eMKay]

It looks like a nice boat, love the rear cabin and workshop, but I think they need to liven up the styling a bit. Seems kinda light for a 45' boat, only 20,000 lbs?

[nemier]

I'm really interested in this boat, can't wait to see it. We had a C-36 mkII and loved that while we had it (5 yrs). I had basically made my mind up that my next sailboat would be the C-400. I went onto the Catalina website to view the C-400 again and saw the new 445 and thought ....hello, what have we here....? I think the admiral would have preferred the master aft, that is my only drawback at this point, but personally I like the master forward - to be close to the anchor for checking when on the hook.

[camaraderie]

Personally...I don't like the layout & design at all. Seems like Cat is getting more and more "dock" oriented with a Hunter like obsession with interiors that only make sense when tied to a dock.
I note that there is no reference in the preliminary specs for how the hull/deck joint is being done...just the mention of an inward flange. Usually they comment on "through bolted on 8" centers" or similar. Wondering if this is simply a preliminary oversight or a real change.
BTW...I am a Catalina fan...just don't like the direction they are going.

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Personally...I don't like the layout & design at all. Seems like Cat is getting more and more "dock" oriented with a Hunter like obsession with interiors that only make sense when tied to a dock.
I note that there is no reference in the preliminary specs for how the hull/deck joint is being done...just the mention of an inward flange. Usually they comment on "through bolted on 8" centers" or similar. Wondering if this is simply a preliminary oversight or a real change.
BTW...I am a Catalina fan...just don't like the direction they are going.

Agreed.

Brian

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by nemier

I'm really interested in this boat, can't wait to see it. We had a C-36 mkII and loved that while we had it (5 yrs). I had basically made my mind up that my next sailboat would be the C-400. I went onto the Catalina website to view the C-400 again and saw the new 445 and thought ....hello, what have we here....? I think the admiral would have preferred the master aft, that is my only drawback at this point, but personally I like the master forward - to be close to the anchor for checking when on the hook.

But the 400 for a master aft and lots of room (our choice). It honestly is one of the best boats made. She is fast, sure footed, points well (at least the pre hull 307-312's did... the newer ones fo not point quite as well). She has great storage and is well apportioned.

Buy the 42 for a master forward or for 3 cabins. She points well (almost as well as the pre 307 c400's) and is pretty fast. She is not as sure footed as the 400 and not as fast, but there are some positives in the design along with some negative tradeoffs. I would be happy to discuss.

Buy the 470 if you can afford more money and really like the layout of the 400, but NEED (NEED) more room and storage. I like the boat and going back, I would have strongly considered it. Still like our 400 better for our use.

If spending 150k or under and want to go cruising, buy the 380 (no longer in production). We LA'd it and it is solid.

If more coastal, buy the 36. No longer in production either.

I can discuss any of the above boats in detail if you want. I prefer the older Catalinas to the newer changes. Even the 400 has gone under many changes I am not happy with.

Let me know id you want more details.

Brian

[nemier]

Yes, Brian, I'd like more details.
I was really disappointed to hear what you and Camaraderie were saying about the 445, I'm sobbing over my keyboard - well, not quite.
Dock orientated? No, that will not do. I must have a boat that can sail well and get into the groove. But the Admiral must also like it, and from the first look, I was hoping that we just might have the perfect compromise.
The 400 is definitely a contender but the Admiral wants something a little bigger. I guess it may be the 470, if not the 445.
- Is the 445 dockish like the 350?
- would You take your 400 south through the canal, & over to Polynesia, with your family onboard?
On all points, please advise.

[soulfinger]

The 350 is "dockish"? And since when is "dockish" even a word? It sounds like some sort of dog. I wouldn't describe my 350 as dockish, though maybe there's an option that I don't have.

As long as I'm taking exceptions to things, I'll also take exception to saying that the new 445 (which no one has actually seen) needs to "liven up the styling"...the whole thing that makes Catalinas great (IMHO) is that while the styling evolves, all Catalinas still look like Catalinas.