Design and Construction
The 62’s profile announces a strong character: slightly inverted bows and topsides broken by a longitudinal rib that highlights the strip where the portlights sit. Catana built the boat in one main mold comprising the nacelle, and the production facility at Canet en Roussillon in the South of France is a vast, modern factory. The amenable climate around Perpignan limits temperature extremes and gives long stretches of natural conditions favorable to composite curing during the build.
Structurally the hull and deck are fiberglass carbon-reinforced, with a solid hull core, and the styling was redesigned toward what the review called contemporary functional luxury. The choice of interior materials is subtly rational, favoring ease of upkeep and resistance to the knocks of life on board. That philosophy extends to a machinery space that is well insulated and set forward for balance and easy reach.
Rig and Performance
On the water the boat was put through a demanding 140-mile delivery across the Golfe du Lion in big wind and big seas. She covered 135 miles in 12½ hours at an average of 11 knots, a passage that left the tester a happy one. The standard Easy version sailplan already shows great potential for less frenetic crews, while a Performance version with a carbon mast and D4 membrane sails is offered for sporty teams who want to exploit the generous canvas.
Accommodations
Life below centers on light and view. The panoramic view from the 62 is exceptional, and a moveable bulkhead disappears almost completely behind the galley to open the saloon. Finishes run to suede deckheads with an Alcantara effect, leatherette linings, leather-style upholstery, and contemporary design. The port aft guest cabin delivers the same comfort and quality as the owner’s hull, and the bathrooms are absolutely remarkable for their light, faucets, draining floors, and ventilation.
The Verdict
The Catana 62 is a serious offshore catamaran that wears its adventure credentials openly while refining the livability and build discipline learned from the 59. She is fast enough to make long passages short, composed in ugly sea states, and finished with a pragmatic eye toward wear and maintenance. The separation of owner and guest spaces is unusually equitable, and the forward-set, well-insulated machinery space speaks to both noise control and balance.
Pros
- Evolved dynamically and structurally from the 59 with better weight centering
- Averaged 11 knots over a 135-mile open-water test in heavy conditions
- Exceptional panoramic visibility and a flexible bulkhead-forward saloon
- Guest cabin matched to owner-hull standard; remarkable bathrooms
- Rational, knock-resistant materials throughout the interior
Cons
- Performance sailplan with carbon mast and membrane sails is a separate, sport-oriented upgrade
- Styling and freeboard are unapologetically tall and muscular rather than low-profile
