Description
We first saw the Catana Ocean Class, a 50 footer, at La Grand Motte in 2022 where she was one of the main attractions of the International Multihull show. The layout is a bit of a departure for Catana (although they have launched similar helm set ups back in the day), as she has a raised mid-position helm on the starboard side.
Catana were famous prior to that for their sporty twin aft-helms configuration. I think that this will probably widen their market but it might upset a few Catana traditionalists.
The French manufacturer hadn’t launched a new model since the 2016 launch of the 53, as they were focusing on their Bali Catamarans range. Let’s see if they expand the range after the launch of the OC50.
Photos from Catana.
Judging from the reception the boat was getting at the show, this model should do well. This isn’t an “out and out” performance boat like a Marsaudon, but it offers a fantastic mix of performance and comfort that should prove popular. You get a nav station that looks like it belongs in Star Trek AND a full sized American fridge/freezer.
She’s stiff and strong thanks to decades of “carbon infusion” experience in building performance yachts at Catana, and with those daggerboards she should sail upwind well.
Pros
- A unique blend of performance and comfort
- Strong and rigid.
- She carries the same sail-plan as the Catana 53 despite being shorter. This catamaran should move particularly in fresher conditions.
- Great layout in the saloon. I love the nav station to port next to the cosy L-Shaped sofa
- Competitively priced
- That big fridge!
Cons
- It looks like the weight distribution is further forward compared to, say, an Outremer. the mast is stepped through the saloon. the nets are quite a bit shorter.
- Not as quick as some of her competition in lighter winds
- I am not sure about the aft sliding doors being so far back. It doesn’t do the profile any favours and I would worry in a big following sea. I’d have liked to see a version with the doors further forward
- To get to the helm, you need to walk round onto the starboard deck. No big deal, but you are separated from the “pack” inside, although the starboard aft window slides right open.
- Does look a bit like a Bali on steroids.
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Sailing
Looking at the Sail Area/ Displacement ratios, this catamaran should sail very well on all points of sail, especially if you go for the genoa over the solent. According to Benjamin, the head of sales who sailed the boat over Canet to La Grand Motte, she is very responsive and accelerates well in gusts.
She certainly looks seaworthy with her boxy, muscly profile and high freeboard. The Ocean Class carries the same amount of mainsail (90 sqm.) as her bigger sister: the 53.
The nacelle is 90cm above the water – this boat sits high on the water, which will help her power through big waves.
You can set the boat up with either an overlapping genoa (64m²) or a self tacking solent (50m²). In lighter winds, you can fly a Code O (105 m²) or a gennaker (130 m²) off the bowsprit. Light displacement is 14.5 T and she will soak up to 4.5 T of weight.
Like all Catanas, the Ocean Class has a bridle system for the mainsheet rather than a traveler. The windward sheet functions as the mainsheet/traveler while the leeward one is used to flatten the sail.
The disadvantage of this is that the main is not strictly self-tacking: on each tack, you need to release the leeward sheet( as it will become the windward one on the new tack) and flatten the sail by tightening the new leeward sheet. But, you can trim your mainsail very effectively with this kind of system and I know that Catana owner’s swear by it.
All of the lines run back to the single raised helm (except the light wind sails of course). This boat has been designed to be sailed by a couple, and the visibility from the helm to all 4 corners is good (although you need to duck around a bit to see the aft port side).
Power
The Catana Ocean Class is powered by 2x 45HP engines (there is an upgrade available to 57) which will power you along at 7 knots and over with a decent sea state. Or just use one engine and cruise at 6 knots. She will carry up to 800L / 211 US gal of diesel.
Construction
The Catana Ocean Class is built with foam coring and vinylester resin infused into the hulls, decks and bulkheads, with added carbon fiber and Twaron cloth to increase strength and stiffness in high stress areas. She is a strong rigid boat.
Living Space
This is an area where Catana have put some blue water between themselves and the competition. Despite the mid position helm, the living space up top is very generous and well laid out. Stepping up the aft steps on the sugar scoops, you arrive at a wide aft deck area with winches on either side for your lighter wind sails.
An aft bench runs along the transom and then you are through the sliding doors that open right up to maximise the living space on one level.
Aft of the saloon is an L-shaped sofa area (room for 5) around a folding table. Along the starboard side runs a storage area and 2 pull out fridges. A sliding window opens fully to connect to the raised helm position on the starboard side.
Moving forward, there is a substantial nav station to port with a great looking helm seat. To starboard, is another large L-shaped sofa running along by the forward windowns which open right up.
The galley (with sink and a half) is positioned centrally to port behind the nav station leaving room for the full size American fridge-freezer to port and a central drinks cabinet and bar area behind the mast. It’s a well thought out design. The height of the roof in the saloon is 2.13m
The only thing that would worry me is the position of the sliding doors which are well aft. This has the benefit of giving you a huge enclosed space at anchor, but I would worry in a big following sea.
Down Below
There are 3 basic configurations:
- Owner’s version with owner’s suite in the port hull with shower and seperate head forward
- Four Cabin version with twin bunks aft (that convert into a double), and seperate head and shower in each hull
- Four Cabin version with twin bunks aft (that convert into a double), and twin head and shower units in each hull
The finish is light oak effect and looks very smart. The quality doesn’t match the level you would see on a Balance or HH. They are aiming for a level on par with an Outremer.
The storage space looks well thought out and the whole feel is very light and airy, similar to the Catana 53. The height down here is a roomy 2m.
Brochure
Here is the Catana Ocean Class Brochure.
Summary
This model represents a clever positioning from Catana, a great combination of performance, comfort and value that is pretty unique in the market. Its closest competitor is probably the Seawind 1600. Let’s see if they extend the range with this format and launch a 47 and a 42.
FAQs
How much is the Catana Ocean Class? What is the price of this catamaran?
As always, we will qualify this answer with “it depends on the options you go for”, but the price range runs from €915,000 to €1,250,000 for a fullly equipped boat. That’s pretty competitive versus the competition.
