The Top Selling Yachts Brands And Makes

The yacht, from the Dutch word Jach, which meansmarket.
to hunt, was originally defined as a light, fast sailingIn the US, Catalina Yachts is a popular builder of
vessel used by the Dutch navy to track pirates andfiberglass monohull sloop-rigged sailboats ranging in
smugglers around and into the shallow seas of thesizes from eight to 47 feet in length. It was founded
Low Countries. The word was later used to describein 1969 in Hollywood, California by Frank Butler.
a wider range of vessels, usually of private use, andCatalina Yachts is one of the largest boat
powered by sail, power, or both, and used formanufacturers in the world, with over 80,000 boats
pleasure cruising or racing. Generally, powered yachtsproduced to date.
are referred to as motor yachts to distinguish themThough Catalina constructs boats from as small as
from yachts with sail propulsion.eight feet under their Capri nameplate, the company
There are a number of yacht varieties, namely Dayis best known for its production of mid sized cruisers.
sailing yachts, Weekender yachts, Cruisers and RacingThe ocean-going Catalina 50 was their largest design,
yachts. Day sailing yachts are usually small, belowbut has been discontinued and replaced by the 470.
20-foot (6 m) vessels. Generally called dinghies, theyThe boating firm is known for supporting their older
often have a retractable keel, centerboard, ormodels dating back to 1970 by providing any bolt on
daggerboard. Day sailing yachts do not have a cabin.parts. Most original models are still in production, with
Weekender yachts are small, below 30-foot (9.5 m)substantial modifications, and there are examples of
vessels. They often have twin keels or lifting keels,every Catalina model still in use.
and this enables them to operate in shallow waters,Columbia Yachts is another popular US manufacturer
and if needed, they could be "dry out" or becomeof sailboats, with offices and manufacturing facilities
beached as the tide falls.in Southern California. Formerly known as Glass Marine
Cruisers are by the far the most popular yacht inIndustries (GMI), they marketing their boats under
private use, making up most of the 25- to 45-foot (7the Columbia nameplate. The early models included
m to 14 m) range. These boats can be quite complexthe Columbia 24 and Columbia 29.
in design, as designers try to find a balance betweenBy 1964, the firm's sales passed $2.5 Million. In 1965,
docile handling qualities, good light-wind performance,GMI changed its name to Columbia, and introduced
interior space and on-board comfort.the Columbia 50, at the time the world's largest
Racing yachts are generally used to reduce thefiberglass production sailboat. The Columbia 50's
wetted surface area, which creates drag, by keepingelegant beauty, exceptional comfort, and good race
the hull light whilst having a deep and heavy bulb keel,performance made this design a success. During the
allowing them to support a tall mast with a great sailmid sixties Columbia produced a few motor yachts.
area. Modern designs usually have a very wide beamBy the late 1960s, the company was the world's
and a flat bottom, to provide buoyancy preventinglargest fiberglass sailboat manufacturer with
an excessive heel angle. A racing yacht can attainmanufacturing plants throughout the world. In
speeds of up to 35 knots, depending on goodSeptember 2001, the firm was renamed the new
weather conditions.Columbia Yacht Corporation, and produced the
In the European yachting market, manufacturers suchColumbia 30 Sports Yacht - with a Southern California
as Azimut-Benetti, Feadship and LürssenOWC PHRF rating of 51.
dominate the very top end of the yacht building