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 Catalina + Tartan = "Tartalina"?		  New Topic  Reply to Topic
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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1787 Posts
Initially Posted - 09/04/2025 :  05:40:14  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
WOW, Tell me it ain't so!! -- Again!! Tartan Yachts has been acquired by the same people who now own Catalina Yachts.

Back in April it was announced that Catalina Yachts (including True North) was sold to Michael Reardon, owner of Daedalus Yachts. The announcement said all staff stays and production will continue in current Largo FL location. Now it has been announced that Tartan Yachts has also been acquired by Daedalus, who claim to plan on keeping Tartan's existing production operations in Ohio intact.

Can't say I am surprised by the Catalina announcement as Frank Butler died and Jerry Douglas retired shortly after. Sharon Day was not mentioned in the press release so presumably she too has retired. Tartan, on the other hand, was acquired a couple of years ago by a West coast group and has a history of different owners, most of whom have financially struggled. Will be interesting if Tartan's long time designer, Tim Jacket, now designs for both brands. Also if Catalina and Tartan consolidate production operations and Catalina moves to epoxy construction as both Tartan and Daedalus have.

It appears that Daedalus, located in North Carolina, produces one boat, a fast multihull, now they will have a full -- very full -- lineup -- should they decide to retain them all.

Time will tell how this impacts Catalina and Tartan's service and the lineup of boat offerings.

Times keep on changing!
Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5396 Posts
Response Posted - 09/08/2025 :  19:53:30  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Wow! Peter, you’re right about this.
I happen to like Sabre sailboats since I’ve had friends who’ve owned some very nicely restored 80s boats. I’ve also seen a few of their powerboats, and they appear to be well-built and long-lasting.

I’m not sure that combining the two companies together is the best idea, tho, since competition is a good thing.

I also noted the following thread in the “Cruisers Forum” Big Changes …

Seems to be hotly debated there.
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1787 Posts
Response Posted - 09/10/2025 :  13:32:49  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Bruce,

Thanks to the links. The new 48 does not look a bit like any past or present Catalina. Will be interesting to see how, or if, it sells. My guess is non-Catalina owners will be the core of it's sales. And yes, those traditionalist are not for the direction Catalina appears to be going. Would far prefer that future Catalina's look more like Tartan's than the current euro-look, fat assed, plum bow models. However this direction may actually increase the resale values for current Catalina models! (doubt our long in the tooth 25's would benefit). The brand, industry, yes, life, continues to evolve!
Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5396 Posts
Response Posted - 09/11/2025 :  20:59:01  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
We’ll see how the new boats sell. You probably could see one at the Newport (this weekend) or Annapolis Boat Shows. Now I’m wondering what will become of the new Sabre designs in 2026? Traditional or nouveau European?
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5904 Posts
Response Posted - 09/12/2025 :  11:38:28  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
It's hard to believe, but most of the designs of current Catalina models are nearly 40 years old. Even the C250, which some of us oldsters still think of as a relatively new design, is 35 years old. Hopefully, the new ownership will preserve Catalina's reputation for great value and customer service while offering a fleet of yachts meeting modern design standards of comfort, efficiency and performance. Catalina won't survive if they try to continue selling antiquated designs. I've spent some time sailing some of the new Euro designed boats and they're very livable, not to mention very fast.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5396 Posts
Response Posted - 09/13/2025 :  08:41:22  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Steve - for most of us, our experience of Catalina Yachts is like going through a time machine. But in the last years of the masters, they produced six exciting “new” boats referred to as the 5 Series.

They are:
> C275 Sport compact cruiser on the order of a C22
> C315 to replace the C30 and 320
> C355
> C385
> C425 and
> C445 that all have a sleeker look.
They also updated the classic C22 Sport, that has the traditional look of an 80s boat with a few nice improvements.

I’ve gotten the tour of several of these boats at Newport and New England boats shows, and as you say, they look very livable, have some luxuries, and seem swift.

We shall see whether the newest editions will be able to join their predecessors over time.
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
Edited by - Voyager on 09/13/2025 08:56:11
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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1787 Posts
Response Posted - 09/14/2025 :  08:34:42  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
To me, the real concern is build quality and customer service. Being able to call the factory and speak to someone who can answer questions, albeit after some research, about our 40+ year old boats is important. And I am not a fan of epoxy/composite materials vs tried and true (and much easier to repair) fiberglass cloth and epoxy construction. One other concern is if they relocate manufacturing and all the tribal knowledge is lost. Should be an interesting next couple of years.
Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5396 Posts
Response Posted - 09/14/2025 :  08:55:36  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
These are very legitimate concerns. Oral history, especially among long time compatriots, if a very powerful QC tool!
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9082 Posts
Response Posted - 09/14/2025 :  10:43:43  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Voyager

We’ll see how the new boats sell. You probably could see one at the Newport (this weekend) or Annapolis Boat Shows. Now I’m wondering what will become of the new Sabre designs in 2026? Traditional or nouveau European?
Did I miss something? I haven't seen any connection between Sabre and either Tartan or Daedalus, and Sabre seems to have dropped out of the sailing market--power only now. They had been pretty direct competitors to Tartan in style and quality, if less so in performance. Did Tartan or somebody pick up their molds (like Robinhood got Cape Dory's)? I guess I can't keep up...
Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage before going over to the Dark Side (2007-2025); now boatless for the first time since 1970 (on a Sunfish).
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.