Catalina 276 Sport Information, Review, Specs

Catalina Yachts, founded by Frank Butler in 1969, has long been synonymous with producing "good boats" that offer exceptional value, solid construction, and practical design, making sailing accessible to a broad audience. The 276 Sport embodies this enduring philosophy, reflecting Catalina's commitment to quality and thoughtful evolution in its latest models.

History and Design

The Catalina 276 Sport, introduced in 2024, represents Catalina Yachts' ongoing commitment to adapting to the evolving desires of the sailing community. This new model is a direct descendant, sharing the same hull as the earlier Catalina 275 Sport, and incorporates a series of updates to enhance its appeal. The design philosophy behind this lineage, notably from designer Gerry Douglas for the 275 Sport, aimed to create a vessel that was a hybrid between a high-performance J-80 and a more refined Alerion 28, resulting in a boat optimized for day racing with friends or comfortable weekend cruising.

Catalina's manufacturing ethos, characterized by its robust five-piece construction method utilizing a dedicated structural grid and full molded fiberglass hull liner, ensures a durable and integrated structure for the 276 Sport, consistent with the company's long-standing reputation for quality. Significant enhancements in the 276 Sport include the use of multiaxial fiberglass, with carbon fiber integrated in select areas for a stiffer and stronger laminate. Further updates feature a new custom Catalina/Mars shoal draft lead keel with a "Cruising Bulb" for reduced drag, and a mainsheet system designed for convenient trimming from both port and starboard sides of the cabin top. While the standard fin keel draws 5.0 feet, a shoal keel option is available, reducing the draft to 3.66 feet and increasing displacement slightly to 6,300 pounds while retaining the same 2,100 pounds of ballast.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Catalina 276 Sport is engineered for an engaging and forgiving sailing experience, suitable for both spirited day sailing and comfortable cruising. With a sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 17.83, she is well-powered and capable of performing capably in lighter air, ensuring an enjoyable experience even when winds are modest. Her ballast-to-displacement ratio of 0.35 (for the fin keel version) indicates a moderate level of stability, allowing her to stand up to a respectable breeze while maintaining a comfortable motion. The displacement-to-length ratio of around 148 suggests a relatively light and performance-oriented design for her size, rather than a heavy, traditional cruiser.

Sailors consistently report that the Catalina 275 Sport, upon which the 276 is based, offers responsive and well-balanced handling. Steering is described as light and sure, particularly with the tiller, making for an intuitive and enjoyable helm experience. The boat is characterized as nimble and efficient, reflecting its design goals of providing spirited performance without being overly demanding. Its forgiving sail plan contributes to its ease of handling, hinting at its potential suitability for various sailing activities, including charter and sailing schools. While capable of spirited performance, the design acknowledges that early reefing is a common practice in more performance-oriented vessels.

Accommodations and Layout

Despite its focus on sport and performance, the Catalina 276 Sport is designed to offer practical and comfortable accommodations suitable for weekending or day sailing. Reviews of its predecessor, the 275 Sport, suggest that the interior provides adequate space for its intended purpose. The boat features a spacious interior for its length, which is complemented by wide, clear weather decks and a single shroud point, ensuring convenient and safe access to the foredeck.

While specific headroom figures are not readily available in the provided data, Catalina's general approach to interior design emphasizes solid wood trim and a quality finish, mirroring the standards found in their larger models. The layout typically includes essential amenities for short trips, such as sleeping berths (likely a V-berth forward and possibly quarter berths aft), a functional galley area, and a marine head, as indicated by owners who have upgraded facilities on similar models. New options for the 276 Sport include a diesel heating system, extending the comfort for cooler-weather sailing.

Owner's Perspectives

As a newly introduced model in 2024, extensive owner reviews for the Catalina 276 Sport are still emerging. However, drawing from the experience of the closely related Catalina 275 Sport and Catalina's long-standing reputation, general perspectives can be inferred. Owners consistently praise Catalina yachts for their solid construction and comfortable motion in a seaway, qualities the 276 Sport is expected to inherit given its robust build and design updates. The 276 Sport is seen as an excellent choice for sailors looking to "recapture the pure joy of sailing in a simpler but stylish boat" that is easy to manage and does not require a large crew.

The design has been noted for packing significant value and performance into a compact, easy-to-manage package. Common upgrades anticipated among owners of the 276 Sport include enhancements like solar panels and chartplotters, indicating a desire to further customize the boat for extended utility. While some subjective opinions on aesthetics for the predecessor existed, the overall sentiment points towards a boat that fulfills its promise of affordable, fun, and easy sailing. The Catalina 276 Sport aims to deliver a nimble and efficient vessel that excels at both day racing and comfortable overnight stays, continuing Catalina's tradition of making sailing dreams a reality.