At 56 feet 9 inches (17.30 meters) overall, with a beam of 28 feet 3 inches (8.60 meters), the 522 displaces 20 tonnes. Those figures place her firmly at the large, livable end of the performance-multihull spectrum rather than among stripped-out racers.
Design and Construction
Barreau conceived the 522 for serious offshore passage-making without giving up the volume that makes a catamaran with a 28-foot 3-inch beam a practical home. She has daggerboards and a fractional-sloop rig, a configuration that combines modest draft with the boards raised and deep, efficient lateral grip when they’re lowered for sailing.
No construction details specific to this model are documented here beyond her stated dimensions and tankage.
Rig and Handling
The fractional-sloop rig carries a mast 21 meters above the waterline and a 102-square-meter mainsail. Together with the daggerboards, that mast height and sail area describe a boat intended to stand up to her canvas and point well when the boards are lowered.
Twin 78-horsepower drivetrains provide two independent propulsion plants. That redundancy matters far more on a 20-tonne catamaran than on a monohull, where failure of the single engine leaves the crew under sail alone.
The 522 carries fuel in two 500-liter tanks and water in two 400-liter tanks. Those capacities contribute to a self-sufficient profile suited to long stretches between ports.
Accommodations and Tankage
The available interior information is limited to the 522’s external dimensions and tankage. Even so, the livable volume implied by her 8.60-meter beam and 17.30-meter length is substantial.
From the factory, the boat had substantial fixed tankage split between port and starboard. That arrangement is consistent with a vessel intended to be lived aboard away from regular resupply.
The Verdict
The Catana 522 is a Barreau-designed, Catana SA-built performance cruiser that combines a large, beamy platform with a serious rig and genuine propulsion redundancy. She suits sailors who want the speed and sea-kindliness of a daggerboard catamaran without giving up the provisioning range required for long passages.
Pros
- 56-foot 9-inch length and 28-foot 3-inch beam provide substantial catamaran living volume
- Daggerboard fractional-sloop rig, with a 21-meter mast and 102-square-meter mainsail, suits performance cruising
- Twin 78-horsepower drivetrains provide propulsion redundancy
- Split 1,000-liter fuel and 800-liter water capacity supports offshore autonomy
Cons
- Documented detail is limited beyond the boat’s dimensions and tankage
