High freeboard, very good bridgedeck clearance, a slight sheer at the deck edge, and a generous sailplan give the boat a muscular appearance. It looks built for adventure rather than as a floating condominium.
Design and Construction
The 62 has a strong profile, with slightly inverted bows and topsides broken up by a longitudinal rib that emphasizes the strip containing the portlights. Catana built the boat in one main mold comprising the nacelle, hull and deck.
Production takes place at a vast, modern factory in Canet en Roussillon in the South of France. The mild climate around Perpignan limits temperature extremes and provides long periods of natural conditions favorable to curing composites during construction.
The hull and deck are fiberglass with carbon reinforcement, with a solid hull core. Catana also redesigned the styling around what the review called contemporary functional luxury. The interior materials reflect a practical approach, favoring easy upkeep and resistance to the knocks of life aboard.
That philosophy extends to the machinery space. It is well insulated and positioned forward for balance and easy access.
Rig and Performance
The test included a demanding 140-mile delivery across the Golfe du Lion in big winds and seas. The Catana 62 covered 135 miles in 12½ hours, averaging 11 knots—a passage that left the tester happy.
Even the standard Easy-version sailplan shows great potential for crews who prefer a less frenetic approach. Sportier teams can choose the Performance version, with a carbon mast and D4 membrane sails, to make greater use of the boat’s generous canvas.
Accommodations
Light and outward views define the accommodations. The panoramic view from the 62 is exceptional, while a movable bulkhead disappears almost completely behind the galley to open up the saloon.
Finishes include suede deckheads with an Alcantara effect, leatherette linings, leather-style upholstery, and contemporary design. The port aft guest cabin offers the same comfort and quality as the owner’s hull, giving guests unusually equitable accommodations. The bathrooms are also remarkable for their light, faucets, draining floors, and ventilation.
Verdict
The Catana 62 is a serious offshore catamaran that displays its adventurous purpose openly while refining the livability and construction discipline learned from the 59. It is fast enough to shorten long passages, composed in ugly sea states, and finished with a pragmatic eye toward wear and maintenance.
The owner and guest spaces are unusually equitable. The forward-positioned, well-insulated machinery space also reflects attention to both noise control and balance.
Pros
- Meaningful dynamic and structural development from the 59, including better weight centering
- Averaged 11 knots over 135 miles in a heavy-weather, open-water test
- Exceptional panoramic visibility and a saloon opened by a flexible bulkhead
- Guest cabin finished to the same standard as the owner’s hull
- Remarkable bathrooms
- Practical, knock-resistant interior materials
Cons
- Performance sailplan, carbon mast, and membrane sails require a separate, sport-oriented upgrade
- Tall, muscular styling and high freeboard won’t appeal to buyers seeking a low-profile design
