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A Visit to Catalina Yachts

We took a day trip to Largo, Florida, to present designer Gerry Douglas with the Boat of the Year award for the Catalina 425.
*Cruising World* publisher Sally Helme presents the Boat of the Year trophy to Gerry Douglas (left).
Cruising World publisher Sally Helme presents the Boat of the Year trophy to Gerry Douglas (left) and plant manager Mike Quinn (right). Jen Brett

When our Boat of the Year judges stepped aboard the new Catalina 425, they were swept away by its warm, inviting interior, the quality of the workmanship, and once again by the attention to detail that Gerry Douglas brings to his designs. In particular, technical judge Ed Sherman praised the behind-the-scenes details he found in the electrical panel and glasswork. To quote BOTY judge Tim Murphy, “With detail after detail, there’s a lot of value in this boat, which comes in at $315,000.” Added Ed Sherman, “It had a higher level of finish than some of the more expensive boats in it’s category.

It’s not every designer that gets to take two swings at the same boat. Gerry took what he learned from 20 years of building the very successful Catalina 42, and with the 425, he hit one out of the park. It’s an all-around great sailboat and definitely earned its place as Cruising World‘s 2017 Domestic Boat of the Year.

Catalina 425
A Catalina 425 hull, ready for the interior. Jen Brett
A nearly complete Catalina 385.
A nearly complete Catalina 385. Jen Brett
Checking out where Catalina hulls are born.
Checking out where Catalina hulls are born. Jen Brett
Where Catalina hulls are born.
Where Catalina hulls are born. Jen Brett
Gerry Douglas explains how the rudders are built.
Gerry Douglas explains how the rudders are built. Jen Brett
Teak doors and cabinets ready for the spray booth.
Teak doors and cabinets ready for the spray booth. Jen Brett
Catalina BOTY awards
Previous Boat of the Year awards are proudly on display at Catalina. Jen Brett
Catalina Yachts
Read Herb McCormick’s review of the Catalina 425. Jen Brett
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