Design and Construction
What distinguishes the 90 below the waterline is not just scale but separation of critical systems. Engines and generators sit in separate watertight compartments, clear of the berths anchor, a layout decision that keeps machinery noise and any leakage path away from sleeping quarters. The hardtop bimini itself is a sandwich structure, and the independent bilge pump system added in 2022 placed ten pumps across four additional watertight compartments, reinforcing the compartmentalized philosophy. That same thinking extends to the dual independent pressurized freshwater systems and the separate grey and black water tanks with alarms.
Rig and Handling
Sail handling on this catamaran is engineered so the crew rarely leaves the helm. Reefing and sheet systems are led back to the cockpit for adjustments without leaving the helm anchor. The square-top mainsail and staysail carry carbon fiber battens, and the membrane suit from Evolution Sails — a 257.5 sqm mainsail and 60 sqm staysail installed in December 2022 — uses a lightweight carbon/Technora blend. Titanium chainplates anchor new Kevlar shrouds, while hydraulic furlers work the Yankee and Code 5 sails and a hydraulic mainsheet system is controlled from both helm stations. Harken hydraulic winches handle primary, halyard, mainsheet, and daggerboard duties, with main halyard winches readable by thermal monitoring and emergency stops.
Accommodations
Interior volume is extraordinary. Soaring ceilings reach 8 feet, and the yacht carries three ensuite cabins plus two additional W/Cs and two dedicated showers. The port aft cabin converts from twins to a full king, and the captain's quarter can take a Pullman berth for flexible crew or family arrangements. The owner's stateroom holds a walk-around king with a fully sprung mattress and an ensuite with one of the largest yacht showers by superyacht standards. Throughout, hardwood floors, Alcantara ceilings, soft wall and ceiling furnishings for sound absorption, dimmable LED lighting, and 22 oversized stainless portlights with screens and blinds create a quiet, bright interior. The salon centers on a large L-shaped couch with plush leather cushions and a lockable wine and beer storage area. A 2022 refit added artisan-built desks and an electrically adjustable ergonomic leather nav-seat.
Galley and Systems
The galley is outfitted to professional standard: Corian countertops, double sinks with adjustable faucet, a Gaggenau 5-burner stove, Bosch oven, a 2024 Bosch Series 6 microwave with grill, and a dishwasher. Two Sea Recovery Aqua Matic watermakers with 2023 membranes feed two 700L tanks, while a Frizzlife filtration faucet with UV sterilization handles drinking water. Climate control comes from Webasto chillers of 40,000 BTU per hull and eight air handlers across six cabins and the salon.
Refit and Ownership History
Originally crafted by Catana for an experienced circumnavigator, the 90 named Orion was returned by her current owners to France — where she was first built — for a complete refit anchor. That program touched the mast (freshly painted and serviced), six new deck hatches, upgraded watermaker membranes, lithium batteries replacing AGM and saving over 1,000kg, and a new tender with Yamaha outboard. The 2022–2024 window brought new Kevlar shrouds, Dyneema halyards and sheets, Marlow sheets, a Facnor top swivel, Starlink, and 33 USB ports. She was located in Rodney Bay, St. Lucia.
The Verdict
The Catana 90 is a flagship-level expedition catamaran whose compartmentalized machinery spaces, led-afield sail handling, and deeply refitted systems make her a serious ocean vessel wrapped in superyacht-grade comfort. She is not a simple boat to own, but every documented upgrade argues for a yacht built to be lived aboard and sailed hard.
Pros
- Watertight-separated engine and generator compartments away from berths
- 5-foot-5 to 15-foot-5 daggerboard draft range for shoal and offshore use
- Full cockpit-led reefing and hydraulic sail control from both helms
- Extensive 2022–2024 refit with weight-saving lithium conversion
Cons
- Scale and system complexity demand expert ownership
- Documented only as a single highly customized flagship example
