Developed during the 1960s catamaran boom, Catalac sailboats earned recognition as pioneering production multihulls that helped establish catamarans as viable cruising vessels. These British-built boats emerged from the drawing boards of designers who understood the growing demand for spacious, stable sailing platforms that could offer comfortable accommodations without sacrificing seaworthiness. Catalac catamarans became known for their solid construction and practical approach to multihull sailing. The design philosophy emphasized stability and interior volume over outright speed, making them particularly appealing to cruising sailors who valued comfort and safety. Their wide beam provided exceptional stability and allowed for generous accommodations that rivaled much larger monohulls. These boats proved well-suited for coastal cruising and extended voyaging, with many examples completing ocean passages and serving as liveaboard homes. The shallow draft characteristic of the design opened up cruising grounds inaccessible to deeper-keeled vessels, while the twin-hull configuration offered redundancy in steering and engine systems. Though production ceased years ago, Catalac sailboats maintain a loyal following among multihull enthusiasts who appreciate their robust build quality and proven blue-water capabilities. They represent an important chapter in the evolution of production catamarans.
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What is the Catalac's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Catalac has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 18.06. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Catalac's comfort ratio?
The Catalac has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 13.56. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Catalac safe for offshore sailing?
The Catalac has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.8. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Catalac?
The theoretical hull speed of the Catalac is 6.82 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Catalac weigh?
The Catalac has a displacement of 8,000.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 29.25 ft.
Who designed the Catalac?
The Catalac was designed by J. Winterbotom/Tom & Mary Lack, first built in 1971.