While it was launched last year the new Catalina 455 has raised some eyebrows of late with its new hull's boastful waterline. Keen to sail it, we managed to grab a few minutes with Swan Marina's Bernie Lutmer and found this boat so comfortable to sail. It was responsive and sailed well in the moderate to heavy north breeze on Lake Ontario. And to be honest, it is a new Catalina, breaking its traditional look and feel with the lower profile cabin and the twin-steering wheels. Celebrating forty years in building boats and many of them with Gerry Douglas at the design helm, it's nice to see Catalina come through with a balance of performance, design and function; they have done a good job. Neat touches like the squared off cabin top allows easy support to rest comfortably while underway.
Under sail, the boat performed well in the relatively flat water brought on by the escalating wind we experienced. The steering was easy from the helm; visibility was good and the boat felt solid. There was no unnatural resistance in the steering at all; it is a relatively stiff boat and performs well. I could easily imagine racing this boat but also quickly understood the tradeoffs for the big genoa for 
cruising. It was dry and comfortable.
Boarding aft, the twin independent backstays provide an easy entree from the swim step aft and add to the redundancy in rig support. The nice twin lifelines are easy to open with the standard pelican hooks. First impressions on the cockpit: it gives a roomy and comfortable impression for anywhere up to six guests and is nicely balanced by a multifunctional cockpit table. The straight seats are unencumbered and make it easy to stretch out for a quick nap above deck. The cockpit table pod, as I call it, has a unique insulated storage space along with neat handrails and rotating housing for a chart plotter as well as the engine panel. Winches are placed aft and are easily accessible by the helm. Sail controls are led to the cabin top while the traveller controls are lead to one port on port. Our boat was not equipped with a dodger but Catalina will be offering a hard dodger for those that want to focus on cruising. However, don't be afraid to take this boat racing; there is a more performance here than meets the eye.
When you need to power up, the single-station engine controls are properly mounted at the starboard wheel.
I was impressed with the sail shape, especially the look and feel of the mainsail with its vertical battens that are part of Selden's in mast furling system. Stepped at the deck, on a compression post, Catalina opted for this to minimize noise and potential leakage concerns that can plague a keel steep configuration from time to time. Catalina also has steered clear of the move to self-tacking headsails instead going for a massive 155% genoa easily trimmed using its extra long genoa tracks that are a must for large overlapping headsails.
Below decks, this boat will appeal due to its many neat features such as the unique recessed laptop docking station built right into the forward facing nav table with its two nice long drawers. The electrical panel hidden behind a neat glass panel is easily accessible with functional easy to read metering and breaker access. Teak is the wood of choice for Catalina as always but they have done a nice job of 
complementing their veneer with solid wood trim throughout.
I liked the flexible interior layout with the aft cabin configuration. To starboard, the comfortable guest cabin with its angled berth maximizes headroom and access. To port, there is an option to easily reconfigure the cabin for extra storage space for a long cruise or alternatively a neat work space with a work bench and storage; one can choose to have either a double berth or upper and lower singles. Nice touch. There is even room for an optional washer dryer that can be vented through the deck easily.
The galley set to port directly opposite the nav station is well done too with good storage easily accessible underway; it's got some neat lockers designed just to hold canned goods and bottles. The front opening refrigerator/freezer near amidships on the outside of the L-shaped counter also has a top loading isolated lid for easy access.
The salon is a open comfortable space with a dining table that easily folds to a cocktail table or drops to add an 
additional double berth. To starboard, the two ample seats with a dinette table between are able to set out for an additional single berth. Forward too is a nice end table with great drawer space.
The two heads are well done with their moulded components with the aft head (to starboard) completely functional with shower and fold seat; the forward head boasts a large shower stall, seat and lower water use head.
Forward, the owner's cabin has a great berth where the head can be lifted for greater comfort while reading or even watching TV. A large hanging locker provides more than enough space for necessary gear.
Bringing the boat home under power, the 50 HP Yanmar had no problem pushing the 455. The easy accessible engine box and the neat dedicated fuel cabinet are well-positioned for access.
This boat was built around a five-component system to add stability and strength; the hull grid is the basis for the loading 
(LEAD Keel, Mast). The fibreglass hull is cored with Balsa from the waterline up while the deck also relies on a balsa core make-up, except where gear (winches) and fittings are mounted. Furniture is not used in the structural dynamic.
Overall the Catalina 455 raises the bar for Catalina who has, through its in-depth client feedback program, developed a new direction towards building a comfortable boat with a good performance and new style.
By John Kerr