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New Boat: Catalina 445

2009 March 4
Catalina Yachts has produced some simple, safe cruisers with very comfortable interiors, and it's no surprise that this new Gerry Douglas-designed 44-footer is no different.

An SA/D of 18.59 and D/L of 158 indicate she won't be a slouch in light air, while a look at her sleek plan view and length-to-beam ratio of 3.18 hint at an easily driven hull. For those who truly feel the need for downwind speed, an optional removable bowsprit will allow an asymmetric spinnaker to be set.

Long-term cruisers and liveaboards won't find much lacking with an interior like this. The spacious forward cabin includes a double berth, hanging locker and a roomy enclosed head with a shower stall. An additional head for guests and day use is found aft, to starboard of the companionway steps and forward of the aft cabin, also with a double berth, this one angled for better headroom and ventilation. Purists will also be pleased to find a forward-facing navigation station wedged between the aft head and starboard side seats.

The real highlight of this interior, however, is the port side aft cabin. This is a flexible space that can easily go from being a workroom to a nicely finished guest cabin.

On deck, twin helms allow for easy traffic flow through the roomy cockpit aft to the swim step, while raised helm seats further enhance visibility forward. Tall, 27-inch stanchions and lifelines add on-deck security, while standard in-mast furling on the deck-stepped mast simplifies mainsail handling and makes reefing a quick and painless process.

The 445 will have its premier at the Strictly Sail Pacific Boat Show, April 15 to 19, in Oakland, California.