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By
DAVID LOCKWOOD
19 November 2007
Chris Craft calls its Catalina 29 a WUV as in water
utility vehicle. The American classic-boat builder says its statistics
reveal that less than 50 per cent of centre console owners use their
boats for sport fishing. Therefore, family outings, cruising and picnics
ashore are as much a part of the Catalina's design brief as chasing fish
on the wide blue yonder.
For the pleasure-boating set, the Catalina 29 (8.9 metres
overall) has professionally upholstered seats with dual density
foam cushioning, custom Captain's high-backed helm chairs, a
folding rear passengers lounge, and drinkholders and grab rails
where you need them.
There’s an upmarket Tecma toilet in a walk-in console 'cabin'
with sink and swish bathroom fittings. Iceboxes abound including
one with a 12-volt fridge plate for carrying provisions if not
bait.
You also get a windlass for push-button anchoring and a classy
snap-in swim ladder for the obligatory dog paddle to shore. You
could easily add a gas barbie if you wanted to entertain, although
this is more your prawn-and-salad boat.
Fitted with twin four-stroke 250 hp (186 kW) Yamaha outboards
spinning stainless-steel props, the Chris Craft Catalina 29 wasn't
hanging around. But it's not how fast you go, it's about doing it
in style.
This is a very pretty boat, with plenty of Carolina flare in
the entry, a nice flowing sheer line, yacht-like teak accents
courtesy of the optional Heritage pack, and a Carolina blue hull
colour for extra eye candy.
To which you should add a sweet ride from a self-draining,
deep-vee hull with 21 degrees of deadrise. Should you want to wet
a line when the weather is compliant then the fishing bits are
many - everything from rod holders and live wells to padded
coamings and a tee-top from which you can mount outriggers poles.
Although there are just three centre consoles in the new
Catalina range there are now plans to expand the family up to a
36-footer (11.0-metre) and introduce new express fishing/family
models. Meantime, the Catalina 29 seen here is the flagship.
In case you are unaware, Chris Craft was established in 1874
and its timber runabouts have been the boats of choice for John
Kennedy, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and more. While
the boatbuilder works with fibreglass these days, the Catalina 29
has a classic-boat look.
What you can't see are the impressive building methods: a
one-piece stringer system and liner, with vinylester resin and
unidirectional fibreglass, Kevlar reinforcement on the strakes as
well as the keel and transom, and closed cell foam for sound
deadening and positive flotation.
All the deck gear is through-bolted and of beefy 316-grade
stainless steel, including hinges, catches and lovely big cleats
that one might expect on much bigger craft. Meanwhile, the
interior mouldings have radiused edges and curved surfaces to
prevent bumps at sea - or on the bay or harbour - with internal
padded coamings and moulded toe kicks to assist with fishing or
general deck work.
The engineering is impressive on this saltwater-intended boat.
And with a massive 828-litre fuel capacity you can really go
places if that is your charter. For this purpose, the Catalina 29
would make a neat island hopper and you could carry plenty of
camping gear aboard.
Water capacity is a handy 117 litres, thereby allowing
dayboaters to enjoy a post-swim deck shower before heading home.
Depending on your needs, the bow can be turned into a casting
platform or a lunch setting for four around a moulded table on a
chic Italian pedestal base. Dry storage exists under the seats.
But lift the moulded bench seat on the forward edge of the centre
console and you will find step-down access to an even bigger dry
hold - the boat's upmarket head - where you can stash the plush
cushions when in fishing or diving modes.
Meanwhile, the console is a double-width number with a leaning
post for two that incorporates a bait-rigging centre with sink,
raw-water washdown, knife holders and seriously decent live well
that might double as a party icebox or dive-gear storage. A fridge
is incorporated under the helm seat, too.
I thought the Catalina 29 was a bit flighty. It felt light in
the bow, which isn't surprising, as the underfloor hatches were
empty. But it was smooth and really comfortable at moderate speeds
of 20-24 knots (around 40km/h) at 3000-3500rpm with full outboard
trim. Top speed was 47.6 knots (89km/h) at 5900rpm.
But at those more moderate cruise speeds the Catalina 29 looks
dapper, feels dignified and remains wonderfully dry. Which is what
you want from a dayboat with tickets of cruising the waterways
when not winding in the fish.
AT A GLANCE
CHRIS CRAFT CATALINA 29
Price as tested: $267,442 with twin Yamaha 250 hp (186 kW) petrol
outboard engines, safety gear and registration, and optional
upgraded twin outboard motors, Carolina blue hull, Heritage
package which includes teak trim and decks and teak-swim platform,
Raymarine electronics pack, upgraded stereo, Muir windlass, Tecma
head and holding tank, compass, safety package, and more.
Length overall: 8.90 metres
Beam: 3.10 metres
Deadrise: 21 degrees
Draft: 45.72 cm
Weight: Approx 3719 kg (dry with base outboards)
Berths: Sunpads on deck
Fuel capacity: 832 litres
Water: 117 litres
Rec. max HP: 500 hp
Make/model: Twin Yamaha 250 hp (186kW) V6 DOHC injected
four-stroke petrol outboards
Props: 21-inch stainless steel
Details: Chapman Marine Group, www.chriscraft.com
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Marque Publishing Company
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