Catalina 455
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. [MORE]