Performance Cruising Yachts, the Australian distributor for Catalina Yachts, has announced the arrival of the new Catalina 48 – the first 48-footer in Catalina’s distinguished 50-year history. Designed in collaboration with Tripp Design Naval Architecture, the Catalina 48 represents a new era of American sailing luxury, purpose-built for comfort, confidence, and long-range cruising along Australia’s spectacular coastline.
For decades, Catalina Yachts has earned the trust of sailors worldwide by delivering yachts that embody safety, strength, and simplicity. With the Catalina 48, that proven heritage meets a fresh design language that places equal emphasis on modern elegance and liveaboard comfort – making it an ideal yacht for those seeking to explore destinations from the Whitsundays to Tasmania and beyond in ease and style.
Designed for Life Afloat
The Catalina 48 introduces a sophisticated evolution in yacht design, blending graceful hull lines, expansive living spaces, and refined ergonomics. Every element has been carefully considered – from the secure, spacious cockpit designed for both shorthanded sailing and entertaining at anchor, to the warm, inviting interiors that provide a true sense of home at sea.
“This is not just a new boat. It’s the beginning of something bigger,” said Patrick Turner, President of Catalina Yachts. “The Catalina 48 brings together the best of who we’ve been and where we’re going. It’s American luxury, redefined for the sea.”
Perfect for Australia’s Coastal Cruising Grounds
With generous storage, robust construction, and design features that prioritise long-term comfort, the Catalina 48 is tailor-made for Australia’s diverse cruising environments. Whether it’s island-hopping the Whitsundays, blue water crossings to Lord Howe or Cocos Keeling Islands, or venturing south to Hobart, the Catalina 48 offers the perfect balance of performance, safety, and luxury.
“We’re thrilled to bring a new voice to a brand with such a storied legacy,” said Bill Tripp, Principal of Tripp Design. “Catalina’s authenticity and our philosophy are a natural fit – creating beautiful, honest boats built for people who truly love to sail.”
The team at Performance Cruising Yachts, led by Olympic Sailor Matt Hayes, would like to add “The Catalina 48 is built for Australia. She has the range, comfort, and strength to take sailors the entire length of our coastline, from the tropical north to the rugged southern waters, and the confidence to continue even further beyond. For those who dream of exploring not just Australia, but the wider Pacific, she offers the perfect balance of luxury and capability.”
Looking Ahead
The Catalina 48 is the first in a new generation of models that reflects Catalina’s ambitious yet grounded vision: American-designed, American-built, and proudly Catalina. For Australian sailors, it represents an exciting opportunity to experience the next chapter in one of the world’s most trusted yacht brands.
