Design and Construction
Below the waterline, the Catana 90 stands out not only for her scale but also for the separation of critical systems. The engines and generators occupy separate watertight compartments, away from the berths. This arrangement keeps machinery noise and potential leakage paths apart from the sleeping quarters.
The hardtop bimini is a sandwich structure. In 2022, an independent bilge-pump system added ten pumps across four additional watertight compartments, reinforcing the boat’s compartmentalized approach. That same thinking extends to dual independent pressurized freshwater systems and separate grey- and black-water tanks with alarms.
Rig and Handling
The sail-handling systems are arranged so that the crew rarely needs to leave the helm. Reefing and sheet controls lead back to the cockpit, allowing adjustments from the helm.
The square-top mainsail and staysail have carbon-fiber battens. Installed in December 2022, the Evolution Sails membrane suit comprises a 257.5 sqm mainsail and a 60 sqm staysail in a lightweight carbon/Technora blend. Titanium chainplates secure new Kevlar shrouds, while hydraulic furlers operate the Yankee and Code 5 sails. The hydraulic mainsheet system can be controlled from both helm stations.
Harken hydraulic winches handle the primary sheets, halyards, mainsheet, and daggerboards. The main-halyard winches have thermal monitoring and emergency stops.
Accommodations
Interior volume is extraordinary, with ceilings reaching 8 feet. The yacht has three ensuite cabins, two additional W/Cs, and two dedicated showers. The port aft cabin converts from twin berths to a full king, while the captain’s quarter can accommodate a Pullman berth for flexible crew or family arrangements.
The owner’s stateroom has a walk-around king berth with a fully sprung mattress. Its ensuite includes one of the largest yacht showers by superyacht standards.
Hardwood floors, Alcantara ceilings, and soft wall and ceiling furnishings intended to absorb sound contribute to a quiet interior. Dimmable LED lighting and 22 oversized stainless-steel portlights, each with screens and blinds, bring in light. The salon is centered on a large L-shaped couch with plush leather cushions and includes 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 equipped to a professional standard, with Corian countertops, double sinks, an adjustable faucet, a Gaggenau 5-burner stove, a Bosch oven, a dishwasher, and a 2024 Bosch Series 6 microwave with grill.
Two Sea Recovery Aqua Matic watermakers, fitted with 2023 membranes, supply two 700L tanks. A Frizzlife filtration faucet with UV sterilization provides drinking water.
Climate control comes from Webasto chillers rated at 40,000 BTU per hull. Eight air handlers serve six cabins and the salon.
Refit and Ownership History
The Catana 90 named Orion was originally built for an experienced circumnavigator. Her current owners returned her to France, where she was first built, for a complete refit.
The work included painting and servicing the mast, installing six new deck hatches, upgrading the watermaker membranes, and replacing the AGM batteries with lithium batteries—a change that saved more than 1,000kg. The yacht also received a new tender with a Yamaha outboard.
Further work during 2022–2024 included 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 expedition catamaran with compartmentalized machinery spaces, sail controls led aft, and extensively refitted systems. She combines the capabilities of a serious ocean vessel with superyacht-grade comfort.
She isn’t a simple boat to own, but every documented upgrade points to a yacht designed to be lived aboard and sailed hard.
Pros
- Engine and generator compartments separated from the berths by watertight divisions
- Daggerboard draft ranging from 5 feet 5 inches to 15 feet 5 inches for shoal and offshore use
- Cockpit-led reefing and hydraulic sail controls available from both helms
- Extensive 2022–2024 refit, including a weight-saving lithium-battery conversion
Cons
- Scale and system complexity demand expert ownership
- Documented only as a single, highly customized flagship example
