Design and Construction
Catana builds the 53’s hulls and decks using foam-sandwich infusion. The yard reinforces critical areas—including the chainplates, stiffeners, and mast base—with carbon fibre, and also uses carbon fibre for the coachroof. Compared with its predecessor, this infusion approach cut nearly a ton of weight, giving the 53 a relatively light displacement of about 30,865 pounds.
Below the waterline, the hulls are narrow, with knife-sharp bows that help them cleave waves and glide through a tack with impressive ease. A high bridgedeck begins well aft to minimize the pounding that troubles many catamarans sailing to weather, while the high topsides also contribute to good bridgedeck clearance.
The angular, boxy styling echoes the larger 62- and 70-foot Catana models. Reverse bows and long, curved daggerboards define the profile. On deck, wide, flat side decks, flush hatches, and an uncluttered layout provide a practical working area.
Rig, Helm, and Handling
The 53 has twin helms set well aft, providing a clear view of the rig. However, visibility directly forward—especially toward the opposite bow—is more limited than on a catamaran with a single elevated helm or flybridge.
Enlarged coachroof windows partly address that shortcoming by providing a sightline to the opposite bow through the saloon. Hatches in the bimini also allow the crew to watch the mainsail from the center of the cockpit without stepping out into the weather.
Six Harken winches along the sides of the cockpit control both the sheets and the dinghy davits. Once a sailor has learned the line routing, the arrangement makes this large catamaran easy to singlehand. A long bowsprit carries a top-down furler for a Code 0 or A-sail.
The nearly 1,200-square-foot mainsail and self-tacking jib provide close-winded performance that impressed testers. In 7 knots of true wind, the boat made more than 4 knots at a 40-degree apparent-wind angle and 5 knots at 60 degrees.
The engines sit far apart across the nearly 29-foot beam, helping the boat maneuver easily in tight spaces. Engine controls are fitted at both helms.
Performance Underway
Owners report that the 53 loads up nicely in a squall and moves forward like a train—steady and stiff rather than squirmy and overpowered.
During an Atlantic crossing, the owners of the test boat logged several 200-plus-mile days at a 9-knot average. They also had video of the boat sailing at 22 knots, with long rooster tails astern and wine glasses in the saloon hardly disturbed.
Under power, testers recorded 9.4 knots at the wide-open setting of 3,000 rpm. A more economical 2,200 rpm produced 7.4 knots. On long passages, the boat can motor at 6 knots on one engine to reduce fuel use and wear.
Accommodations
The Catana 53 is available with three or four cabins, and the head layout is fully customizable. The saloon, galley, and cockpit form a spacious, open-plan living area on the flush-level bridgedeck. Large forward windows include generous opening sections, while an L-shaped settee to port connects with the outdoor dining area when the doors are open.
A forward-facing navigation station occupies the saloon’s forward port corner. A secondary autopilot control at the interior nav desk allows the crew to make adjustments without leaving the shelter of the saloon. An air cushion between the headliner and the composite structure helps minimize condensation.
On the test boat, the owner’s suite occupied the starboard hull and included an oversized shower. At least half of the main-deck interior was devoted to the galley, which had four Vitrifrigo refrigeration drawers, a bottle cooler, and ample counter space.
The bows can be arranged as crew cabins or used as valuable gear stowage for cruising. Even the stowage beneath the master berth is finished on both sides.
Equipment and Ownership
The 53 is a semi-production boat. The example tested carried an 11 kW Cummins genset and 50,000 BTU of six-zone climate control. It also had a water capacity of 211 gallons.
With a light-ship displacement of around 32,480 pounds, the platform is designed to be lived aboard and sailed across oceans without constant modification.
The Verdict
The Catana 53 is a refined evolution of the marque’s performance-cruising approach: light for its size, stiff in a seaway, and quick enough to make passages count. Its open-plan bridgedeck and shorthanded-friendly deck layout suit a couple or small crew, while disciplined construction keeps weight down without sacrificing load-carrying ability.
Pros
- Carbon-reinforced infusion construction cut nearly a ton compared with the predecessor
- Narrow hulls and curved daggerboards make light-air and heavy-air handling predictable
- Twin aft helms, well-organized winches, and furling sails make singlehanded sailing practical
- Open-plan saloon, galley, and cockpit, with useful sightlines through the coachroof windows
Cons
- The twin aft helms compromise forward and opposite-bow visibility compared with a flybridge catamaran
- The large light-air sailplan requires familiarity with the line routing for effective shorthanded sailing
