The awards followed quickly. SAIL magazine named it the 2020 Best Boats winner for Best Monohull Flagship, while Cruising World’s judges chose it as both the Best Full-Size Cruiser Over 55 Feet for 2020 and the overall Boat of the Year.
Design and Construction
The 545 displaces 36,000lb on a 15ft 6in beam and carries 14,000lb of lead ballast. Douglas also reworked the conventional hull-to-deck interface, molding a box-beam collar at the sheer. This single integrated structure replaces the usual joint, toerail, stanchion bases, and scuppers.
The collar creates a smooth, continuous sheerline while forming a high bulwark to help keep crew aboard. Concealed scupper drains carry deck water below the waterline, keeping it from staining the topsides. The bowsprit is similarly integrated, extending cleanly forward as part of the hull rather than looking like an appendage.
A steel railing, rather than wire lifelines, wraps around the cockpit and runs well forward. The anchor locker uses carbon-fiber partitions to reduce weight while retaining strength. It also serves as a crash compartment that is fully isolated from the rest of the hull.
The dinghy garage is likewise separated from the hull for safety. When opened, it provides excellent access to the rudder post and steering cables.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The tall mast is keel-stepped rather than deck-stepped. Its forestay reaches nearly to the masthead, allowing a large light-air headsail to be flown from the end of the anchor platform. The boat’s high air draft and 6ft 3in keel rule out Intracoastal Waterway use.
The cockpit is arranged for shorthanded sailing, with control lines led to powered winches near the twin wheels. The test boat carried a roller-furling 135 percent genoa and an in-mast furling mainsail controlled by a double-ended German mainsheet.
Under power, the 115hp Yanmar drove the boat at 8 knots at 2,800 rpm and 9 knots at wide-open throttle. It could also turn through a tight one-boatlength arc under power. Testers noted that the boat kicks markedly to port in reverse. The evaluated boat used a massive double jet-drive thruster, moving both ends of the hull to slide sideways into slips.
Close-hauled in falling air, the test boat still made 5.8 knots. Douglas tunes his designs for sail reduction at around 15 knots of wind.
Cockpit and Interior
The cockpit seats and deck are on one level, with low backrests intended to make moving around safer. A removable teak table incorporates a fridge, while the starboard seat flips up to create a berth under the stars. The hydraulic transom platform has molded steps on its reverse face, making it easier to board when the platform is raised.
Below, the 545 presents a light, attractive apartment finished in quality teak and maple. The saloon furniture is solid wood rather than laminated board. Eight people can sit across two seating areas, which include movable hassocks and a dropleaf table. A motorized TV and navigation display rises from a low bulkhead, and the starboard settee converts into a double berth.
Portlights, hatches, and the large square hull windows all have light-darkening shades. The port-side galley provides the stowage and fridge/freezer capacity needed for extended cruising. Two small steps lead down to the galley and also serve the aft cabins.
Forward, the master stateroom has a queen berth on a central island, with clear access along both sides, as well as a small daybed. Aft, the test boat had a double berth to port and motorized twin berths to starboard that whir together.
Systems and Maintenance
Both owners and the builder favor conventional systems that are straightforward to service. Each electrical circuit is wired individually to a regular breaker panel. Douglas prefers this older-style arrangement for its ease of maintenance and cited problems with distributed systems on other builders’ boats.
A large hatch in the saloon sole provides access to the house battery bank. The engine filters and through-hulls are also easy to reach. Together, these choices make routine ownership work more straightforward and less dependent on a dealer.
Known Issues
The evaluated 545 showed some prop vibration and noise levels higher than normal for a boat this size. Douglas acknowledged the issue and said he planned to add more soundproofing to the engine compartment.
The Verdict
The Catalina 545 is a thoughtfully engineered flagship that favors usability over flash. Its integrated collar structure, isolated crash and dinghy compartments, and cockpit set up for shorthanded sailing mark it as a serious cruiser. Awards from SAIL and Cruising World reflect the design’s standing, while the conventional wiring and generous service access suit owners who want to maintain the boat without specialist intervention.
The prop vibration and above-normal noise were noted on the test boat, and the designer said he planned to address the sound levels with additional engine-compartment soundproofing.
Pros
- Molded box-beam collar integrates the sheerline, bulwark, and concealed scuppers
- Anchor locker and dinghy garage are isolated as crash-safe compartments
- Keel-stepped mast and near-masthead forestay support a large light-air headsail
- Conventional electrical panel and easy access to the batteries, engine filters, and through-hulls simplify maintenance
- Cockpit is arranged for shorthanded handling, with powered winches near the twin wheels
Cons
- Test boat showed prop vibration and above-normal noise
- High air draft and 6ft 3in keel rule out Intracoastal Waterway use
- Kicks markedly to port in reverse without thruster assistance
