catana 47 - Multihulls World

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Text and photo: Philippe Echelle
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CATANA 47
Like all the Catanas, the 47’ is more suited to moderate to strong
winds and passes easily through the residual swell.
A DYNAMIC 2009 COLLECTION
After a period spent looking for
its positioning, targeting big
boats, Catana seems to be recentring
on the 40 – 50-foot segment,
which has always made up
the essential part of its production
volumes; the success of the
65’does not belie this strategy,
the 92’ remains marginal. The
41’ presented at the 2008
Grand Pavois is a recent catamaran
whose development is just
beginning, the 50’ has just been
re-thought and lightened, the
65’ continues its promising trajectory
(an owner has put his up
THE JOINERY WORKSHOP
REINTEGRATED INTO
THE CANET-EN-ROUSSILLON
FACTORY
For several years now, the builder
has sub-contracted the realisation
of the accommodation
modules. This development was
made possible by the precision
of numerically controlled tools;
Catana is taking back this key
expertise, without a doubt a
good decision, which will allow
the composite and joinery work
to be brought together on, the
same site, and to translate in a
concrete manner the importance
The 47’ is a fast, elegant and efficient cruising catamaran…
RE-CONQUERS ITS IMAGE
A storm lashed the leisure sailing industry during the winter of 2009; despite
this, the multihull segment seems to have stood up well and is showing, across
all sizes, comforting vitality. After having battled in the backwash from the
Poncin group’s economic difficulties, Catana is re-launching a homogenous
range and re-interpreting its expertise.
“
The whole of the range is
now built using the infusion process
to extend the quality demands
and save weight on
the platforms.
”
The ergonomics of a big catamaran; fluid and reassuring areas.
On climbing aboard, we find
all the equipment which made
the previous vintage such a success;
aficionados of the make will
therefore not be disconcerted.
“
”
for sale after an Atlantic triangle
and ordered a ‘custom light’ version,
with carbon deck and
appendages – it’s a good sign!).
Today we are going to discover
the 47’.
A MODERNISED
CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
The whole of the range is now
built using the infusion process.
The company wants to use this
technological change to extend
its quality demands and save
weight on the platforms. The first
hulls, observed at the stage
where the tissues are laid in the
female mould, illustrate this
care. Two complementary positive
elements are worth noting:
the abandoning of Nidaplast in
the bulkheads, in favour of Airex
foam, and the return of monolithic
for the bottom of the hulls.
This last arrangement rationalises
storage ashore and will
prevent the little delaminations
linked to this handling; the builder
however advises against
voluntary beaching. The Twaron
process has been retained; it
aims at applying Kevlar in the
impact zones, to avoid puncture
of the internal skin of the sandwich.
Impregnation of this tissue
(always tricky) with vinylester
resin will be assisted by infusion.
the brand attaches to its ‘signature’.
When I visited, installation
of the machines had almost
been completed.
47 AGAINST 471
The 471 has for a long time been
the favourite of the brand’s fans
and those who know it well tell
tales of their ‘legendary surfs’ by
the fireside; the many top places
conquered in amateur transats
(Alizés, Passionnés...) moreover
add to this justified image. The
47’ therefore benefits from the
credit granted to its predecessor,
but owes it to itself to be
equal to its older sister. If you
compare precisely the two
boats, whose vintages are 12
years apart, you will quickly be
convinced that beyond the restyling
and ergonomic developments,
the general characteristics
and the geometry are very
close.
A MOVING COMMERCIAL
STRATEGY
Consulting the archives, it can be
seen that the 472 Caligo cost
840,000 euros, exc. VAT in 2000!
Of course this prestige version
included a computer, flat screens
and a microwave in its inventory,
but today, this panoply no
longer impresses anyone, a laptop
with Maxsea performs better

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than a ‘marinised’ tower from
that period, and flat screens
have come down from their technological
pedestal and are being
sold everywhere at knock-down
prices. Catana’s choice in offering
a top-quality basic version,
(without the rigid bimini, generator,
carbon mast,...) seems
relevant; it is intended for those
who have a budget they can’t
exceed and who are ready to put
time and effort into personalising
their boat’s equipment. The
‘Ocean Class’ model reaffirms the
builder’s ‘Grande Croisière’ standard
(full electronics, carbon
mast, watermaker...). Catana is
even offering a list of ‘custom’
options, (glass-carbon composite
forward crossbeam, carbon
bimini, steering columns and
deck in the same material),
aimed at producing lighter, exclusive
boats. This variable geometry
strategy back to back with a
flexible, modern production tool
should attract a renewed clientele.
CLASSIC ARCHITECTURE
The 47’ has the same overall
dimensions as the 471, but
brings several developments.
Christophe Barreau has resisted
the temptation to enlarge the
hulls so as not to increase the
wetted surface area; he has skilfully
concealed a small progressive
‘step’ in the hull side which
The ‘Catana’ lines can be recognised at first glance.
allows a few precious centimetres
to be gained inside the
hulls. The nacelle is high above
the water, the hulls are typical of
the architect: bulbous, flared
bows, slim forward sections...
The restyling of the sheer line
and the lateral illumination
improves the perception of the
very vertical hull sides of the 471
generation. The coachroof follows
current trends and improves
the internal volume, whilst remaining
reasonably proportioned.
A BEAUTIFUL FAST CRUISING
CATAMARAN
The Ocean Class version put at
our disposal is the first example
of the series; it only called on
the tester’s indulgence on minor
points. It is moreover amazing to
note the maturity of the designers
and builders who manage
to deliver perfectly finished prototypes.
This demonstration
boat’s design uses varied dark
and light woods (walnut, oak,
maple) and offers innovative
volumes. Personally, I have some
problems with the mobile stowage
(under the saloon table)
and the metallic shutters on the
crockery lockers, but the exercise
shows a palette of real expertise.
The lighting is superb and
the saloon, comfortable. The galley
and cold storage volumes are
perfect, but I regret that the navigator
does not have a real reclining
seat at the chart table,
aboard a boat of this class!
THE CATANA 47’ ON THE WATER
On climbing aboard, we find all
the equipment which made the
“
During our test, carried out with
11 – 16 knots of south-westerly breeze,
the 47’ showed good balance on all
points of sailing.
”
Aft steering positions and centralised control line console,
the distinctive signs of Catana cockpits.
previous vintage such a success;
aficionados of the make will therefore
not be disconcerted;
however, it is a completely different
boat from the 471. The steering
positions, moved to the
back of the hulls, have folding
seats which offer a good level of
comfort and safety. The wheels,
linked by Lewmar angle transmission
to rigid track rods, form a
reliable and pleasant-to-use
assembly. Movement around the
boat is optimised by the deck
surfaces with no hatches, and
the small differences in level with
the cockpit. The grouping of the
control lines in the central area is
always popular; we regret just
the absence of vertical visibility
over the mainsail volume. At the
helm, the boat can be manoeuvred
easily with its two engines;
there is lots of torque and
Inside, the light is superb, the saloon comfortable and the galley and cold storage
volumes are perfect...
The version we tested was a demonstration model... Hence the different types of
wood used. You either like it...or you don’t!
THE COMPETITORS
MODEL
Architect:
Builders:
Sail area in m2 :
Unladen weight in t:
Price exc. VAT in euros:
Cabin with a wonderful view over the sea...
power, well delivered by the
Jprop propellers. During our
test, carried out in 11 – 16
knots of south-westerly
breeze, the 47’ showed good
balance on all points of sailing.
Happier in moderate to
fresh breezes, like all the
Catanas, it passed easily
through the residual swell,
helped by the bridgedeck
height and the slim forward
sections. The generous sail
plan remains very easy to
handle (with the two electric
winches on the cockpit
console). The permanentlyrigged
gennaker on its furler
adds a little weight and windage
forward, but when cruising,
the simplicity of use is
more important. The boat
shows good longitudinal and
lateral stability; you can let
go of the helm for several
tens of seconds without the
boat going off course. Over
all points of sailing, the
Catana 47’ is fast for a comfortable
cruising boat (between
7 and 11 knots in the
range of our test). The
square-headed mainsail
gives a welcome bit of extra
SPORT : ❋❋❋
COMFORT : ❋❋❋❋
THE PLUSSES
• Overall concept
• Improved construction
quality
• Balance and seakeeping
qualities
THE MINUSES
• Slightly ostentatious style
of the accommodation
• Engine sound insulation
and watertightness of control
panels could be perfected
• Mainsheet block swivels
FREYDIS 46’ NAUTITECH 47’ OUTREMER 49’ FAST CAT 455
E. LEROUGE MORTAIN/MAVRIKIOS BARREAU/NEUMAN LAVRANOS
TOURNIER MARINE NAUTITECH OUTREMER AFRICAN CATS
127 115 132 125
9 11.3 9.5 7
415 000 440 000 NC 560 00
area, and presents no disadvantages
in use thanks to the
automatic stowage (by textile
tackle) in the lazy bag
when the sail has been lowered.
Care simply has to be
taken to free the sheet a little
before tacking, to facilitate
pivoting.
CONCLUSION
The Catana 47’ is a seaworthy
and elegant catamaran.
The platform’s qualities are
real and allow it to keep up
with its older sister in the
strong winds and rough seas
offshore. This model’s maturity
will involve balancing the
style of the accommodation,
but the availability of the joinery
workshop, as well as the
overall care taken with the
construction should contribute
to its success. The simple,
lighter ‘custom’ version will
not be handicapped by the
aluminium mast (excellent
quality: Maréchal); a correctly-sized
electric winch will
be almost essential when
short-handed aboard this
powerful catamaran.
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
Architect: Christophe Barreau
Builder: Catana
Material: Foam/glass/vinylester
sandwich, Kevlar reinforcements,
infusion process
Length: 14.02m
Beam: 7.60m
Unladen weight: 11t
Daggerboards/keels: daggerboards
Draft: 0.75/2.80m
Air draft: 21m
Mainsail area: 88m²
Genoa: 53m²
Gennaker: 80m²
Mast: 19.50m, aluminium
Maréchal for the basic version,
carbon for the Ocean Class version
Engines: Yanmar diesel 2 x 39hp
Transmission: Sail drive
Water: 670 l
Diesel: 600 l
Used water: 55 L
Price, exc. VAT: 529,600 euros in
basic owner’s Custom version, with
5-year structure guarantee
720,175 euros in Ocean Class
version (full ocean cruising
equipment).