( LARGO , FL) – August 9, 2010 – Internationally-recognized Catalina Yachts of Largo , Florida just announced the launch of the Catalina 355. The qualities admired in Catalina's award-winning 445 — a versatile performer that is fast, comfortable spacious and safe — formed the basis of Catalina's newest 35'5" vessel. The design of the Catalina 355 has a handsome, low-profile cabin structure with a long waterline and moderate beam and freeboard.

"The new style and design features we presented with the 445 were so well received, that we decided to carry those design elements forward while fulfilling the demand for a mid-30's performer," said Gerry Douglas, vice-president and chief engineer for Catalina.           

A five-foot long traveler creates precise mainsail control. Six inboard shrouds are secured to Catalina's signature "ball and socket" chain plates and tie rods for critical load resolution and to create watertight integrity. Long inboard genoa tracks accommodate headsails from a powerful 155% genoa to a storm jib, allowing the sail plan to be balanced in all wind conditions. The inboard shrouds and hardware facilitates tighter sheeting angles for upwind performance and wide, unobstructed weather decks for safety. Another added safety feature is a watertight "collision" bulkhead aft of the anchor locker.

Contoured helm seating port and starboard is elevated for comfort and visibility forward, with conveniently positioned primary winches and instruments.

Below, the interior is constructed of teak and teak veneers, hand-finished with clear varnishes. A navigation desk with a recessed laptop computer compartment has dedicated power ports. An available quad-leaf folding table seats a group, and the port side dinette easily converts to a single berth or settee. The owner ' s cabin has a custom, articulating innerspring mattress; an electric lifter is available for comfortable reading or viewing TV.

The Catalina 355 conforms to the recommendations and standards of the ABYC and IMCI Category A requirements. The boat will debut at the United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis , MD on October 7-11, 2010.        

Catalina's philosophy is straightforward:  Design boats that stand up to real world conditions and sail well. They must be comfortable above and below, easy to maintain and hold their value. A commitment to owner satisfaction has enhanced customer confidence and loyalty, so that Catalina has become the most prominent builder of sailboats in the United States with an extensive national and international dealer network.

For more information, visit www.catalinayachts.com.

Catalina wins Terry Fisher Double Handed Series 2010

Fremantle Sailing Club's and Vicsail Yachts sponsored, popular racing series the Terry Fisher Memorial Series is run every year, monthly from November to April and features a number of divisions. The double handed division, with spinnakers, has now become the most popular with up 20 starters, many of them performance boats.

"Catalina 42" owner Chrissy Cuthbertson (right) & crew Christine Aujoulet (left) celebrating their win with Vicsail Yachts Director Tony Bewsher at the presentation.

Chrissy & husband Phil have lived aboard there beloved Catalina 42 “Basanti” for the last 4 and a bit years which makes the win even more remarkable, as they sail the race course in their “house” including a full fridge, water, davits, fluffy toys and all the other bits that go with a normal household.

Congratulations to Chrissy and Christine from all at Vicsail Yachts WA

Terry Fisher Double-Handed Series 2009
[results and photos]

The series was created by Kim Jamieson in 2000 in memory of his friend Terry 'Fish' Fisher. Terry had a long sailing career on many yachts including Western Union, but it is only later in life that he took a strong interest in double-handed sailing. This is one of the most popular series in the summer season. It consists of six races sailed once a month on Sunday morning, usually with a easterly and flat seas, to finish around mid-day with a sea breeze pushing us home.

It was created with only Division 2 and 3 doubled-handed, but over the years, more divisions were added and there is now fully crewed Division 1and 5 for big
and smaller yachts. This year, it attracted a total of 38 boats, ranging from 18 to 50 foot in length. Division 2 is by far the most popular in numbers and makes for very competitive sailing. It would be nice to attract more yachts in the Division 3 (double-handed under 32') to make it more challenging. So, if you want to have fun, join us and have a go! It is sponsored by 'Club Marine' and 'Vic Sails Western Australia' (Tony Bewsher and Tim Milsom), and we are grateful for their support.

The event would not run so smoothly if it was not for Gabby Williams, our Offshore Captain who works very hard in organizing the events, including the popular free sausage sizzle that everyone enjoys after the race (onions peeled and sliced courtesy of Tim Jones). Finally, thanks to the race control team, Amanda Ward, Avril Ward, Karen Jamieson and Barbara Lippiatt and the team from the Bosuns Section who drive Success and the ribs. We hope to see you all again next summer, and we encourage new comers to join us. It is a relax way to race, and to meet great people afterward. If you are interested and want to know how to go about joining the fleet, contact the FSC Sailing Administrator Vanessa Cornwall on 9435 8809 or me, Isabel Law on 9339 1552 for more info.

Catalina 375 Winner 2009 " Best All-Purpose Cruiser", 30 to 40 Feet

When it came time for the Boat of the Year judges to settle on the Best All-Purpose Cruiser, thing 30 to 40 Feet, it was the devilishly clever details that designer Gerry Douglas packed into the Catalina 375 that settled things.

The 375 replaces the popular Catalina 36, and the new boat's design relies heavily on feedback collected from owners of its predecessor. Customers. for instance told Catalina that they like to entertain, so the 375 has a big, roomy cockpit for doing just that. Below, the main saloon is a versatile living space where friends and family can gather around a port side bulkhead-mounted fold out table that can be opened wide to seat a crowd or left smaller for a more intimate dinner. Or when a couple is alone, they might sit to starboard in comfortable seats and enjoy a light meal on a cocktail table that can be dropped to make a settee or sea berth for a small crew member. Other interior details that impressed the judges were cedar-lined drawers a cabinets and a file drawer for keeping ship's papers. Judge Stacey Collins also noted that from the well-laid-out galley, it would be convenient to pass food up to the cockpit. Even the silverware drawer, she added, is well positioned: It can be opened and the table set without disturbing the cook.

Many Catalina owners, says Douglas, also enjoy working on their boats, hence the 360-degree access to the 40-horsepower Yanmar diesel and drains set at the low point of the water system so that when it comes time to winterize, the tanks can be emptied into the bilge sump.

On deck, Seldom in-mast furling and a Schaefer genoa furler are standard equipment, as are the Garhauer blocks and traveler.

Roomy fore and aft cabins have well-proportioned double berths and real mattresses: one head with a separate shower- complete the layout of the 375.

In their deliberations, the judges concluded that the 375 is noteworthy for its solid construction and the evident attention to amenities designed to make onboard life more comfortable.

Judges' Notes:
*A split anchor locker can easily store two rods.
*Catalina constructs its shower curtains from lightweight spinnaker cloth, which dries quickly.
*When the 375 is under way, a bench/footstool for the saloon folds and stores at the head of the aft berth.