Catana’s previous model, the Catana 53, had been launched six years earlier. The Ocean Class arrives with enhanced DNA over its predecessors while retaining the marque’s fast-bluewater ethos.
Design and Construction
The Ocean Class measures 51.67 feet long, with a 25.69-foot beam and a displacement of 27,999 pounds. Its narrow hulls have reverse bows and support a high bridge deck.
Two deep daggerboards provide a minimum draft of 3.84 feet and a maximum reach of 8.17 feet, giving the platform its versatility. The boat is built in foam-core fiberglass sandwich construction.
The mast rises 75.46 feet above the waterline and supports a powerful rig with 1,657.64 square feet of sail area. A capsize ratio of 3.38 and a comfort ratio of 11.52 place the Ocean Class among serious offshore multihulls rather than coastal weekenders. Its 9.39-knot hull speed further underlines the performance intent.
Rig, Helm, and Handling
A single helm station, combined with the maneuvering station to starboard, keeps the driver in command. All control lines and sheets are led to the raised helm, allowing a lone watchkeeper to trim and reef without leaving the wheel.
The powerful rig pairs a self-tacking jib with a code zero and uses a double mainsheet purchase for fine control. During a test at Canet-en-Roussillon, France, in 15 knots of wind and a slight to moderate sea, the catamaran demonstrated its intended program of fast bluewater multihull cruising. Catana promises daily runs of 200 to 240 miles.
Accommodations and Cruising Range
The standard three-cabin layout places the master suite to starboard and the guest cabins to port. It’s a configuration aimed at couples or families voyaging in comfort.
Integrating the helm and sail controls means the skipper needn’t leave the wheel to manage the rig—a meaningful advantage on long passages, where short-handed watches are the norm. Fuel and water capacities are each 211 gallons, supporting the extended autonomy expected of the boat’s circumnavigation-capable lineage.
The Verdict
The Ocean Class is a purpose-built evolution of Catana’s performance-cruising philosophy. It combines narrow hulls, deep daggerboards, and a powerful but easily handled rig with a luxurious three-cabin interior.
The boat trades some shoal-water simplicity for a 200–240 mile daily range. Its single, well-organized helm is particularly well suited to short-handed ocean passage-making.
Pros
- Narrow hulls, reverse bows, and a high bridge deck for performance and seakeeping
- Two deep daggerboards providing a 3.84–8.17 ft draft range
- Single starboard helm with all lines led for solo trimming and reefing
- Powerful rig with a self-tacking jib, code zero, and double mainsheet
- Standard three-cabin layout with the master suite to starboard
- Promised daily runs of 200–240 miles for bluewater cruising
Cons
- A single helm station may not suit every preference for visibility or crew distribution
- Deep daggerboards require greater grounding awareness than fixed keels
