New Blog 2: Catalina Sailboats

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Catalina Sailboats

Catalina Yachts is a U.S.-based builder of fiberglass monohull sloop-rigged sailboats ranging in sizes from eight to 47 feet in length. It was founded in 1969 in Hollywood, California by Frank Butler .[1]Catalina Yachts' founder Frank Butler's initial intent was not to produce and sell boats, but rather to have one built. In 1961, Butler took over the production of his own boat when his original boat builder ran out of funds and borrowed money from Butler; the builder was not able to repay the debt. Instead he gave Butler the tooling to continue building the boat.[2] Butler later gained full control of the company, renaming it Wesco Marine and later Coronado Yachts.[3] Many Early Coronado 25 yachts have the Wesco Marine nameplate on the transom.Among the first models built by Coronado were the Victory 21 and the Super Satellite. In 1964, the Coronado '25 was produced, becoming the first boat with a one piece interior, making the boat stronger, ter, and less expensive than previous models. By 1969 the Coronado 27 and 30 foot models were being duced. In 1969 Butler sold Coronado to the Whittaker Corporation which had already acquired olumbia Yachts; ttaker continued the Coronado line until 1974 producing the Coronado 34 with the center cockpit models 35 and 41.[2] Butler remained with Whitaker for only one year then left due to disagreements with management.