Status Of Catalina

[Walter Baransky]

Many stories flying around re Catalina Status. Does anyone have any recent information on Catalina? Are they still in any business or have they folded? And if so, where do things stand with warranty claims, etc. Information would be helpful. Very sad so far.....

[hvb...@gmail.com]

It is my understanding their website is down. The Buttler family/estates still owns the property. The new buyer defaulted on payments and has been evicted. I also the employees are trying to find financing to buy the assets from the Buttler family and make it an employee owned company. As for now warranty issues- you are on your own. 

HVB

Sent from the field. 

On Dec 23, 2025, at 5:04 PM, Walter Baransky <wbara...@gmail.com> wrote:

Many stories flying around re Catalina Status. Does anyone have any recent information on Catalina? Are they still in any business or have they folded? And if so, where do things stand with warranty claims, etc. Information would be helpful. Very sad so far.....

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[Walter Baransky]

Thanks for that update. This is very sad. How Catalina was sold to someone that almost immediately defaults on payments, gets evicted, compromised and to be sure affected staff negatively, and harmed Catalina as a company is unreal.... . Let's hope the staff attempting to raise funds are successful and the Catalina legend continues. But between them, individuals that placed orders, dealers , and of course current boat owners like us, this is difficult if not impossible to quantify. Sad day for all and the US sailing community.... Hope springs eternal and really want it to work out. But a sad way to close the year for all......

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/catalina355/4697723D-CCF8-47F3-960C-F68D001C9BEF%40gmail.com.

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Regards,

Walter Baransky

[George Southern]

It gets worse. From what I understand, the younger generation is just not very interested in sailing. They want fast motor boats, which seems to be the growth industry now. Meanwhile, the baby boomers are aging out, and some of them are trading in their sailboats for a luxury trawler. I believe that Catalina was the last domestic sailboat manufacturer standing, and now it appears that they weren’t doing well. When the pandemic hit everybody wanted a boat and there was a waiting list of over a year. Not any longer. A year ago I went on board the new Catalina 356 at the Annapolis boat show and got a look at the price list as well (see below). There were a few improvements and a few unimprovements as far as I could see. The new keel design looks like a good idea and the larger port lights seem nice. But why they removed the traveler is a mystery to many. I’m wondering if that 356 is the only one ever made. It looks like the 355 is going to take its place among legendary Catalinas alongside the Catalina 36 and the Catalina 36 Mark II. Just to conclude, I was able to finally connect with our favorite Catalina representative a couple of months ago. I won’t mention his name, which everybody knows, but I will spill the beans and say that he had already been relieved of his duties and put in some menial  job. It was clear to him that his new boss wanted to harass him to make him quit and then there would be no unemployment to be paid. So sad. How many decades had he worked there? But speaking of unemployment, I read that because the company never fired anybody they don’t have to pay unemployment. They just stopped paying anyone.

On Dec 24, 2025, at 12:50 PM, Walter Baransky <wbara...@gmail.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/catalina355/CABK9k4_fPGN%2Bib3rGOFb0MCsw5gK8KqYs%3DYjCei-vdO4jYUs9w%40mail.gmail.com.

[Walter Baransky]

George, your observations are spot on re changing buyers. Although once you get on a powerboat, even a trawler, the fuel consumption and cost soon detracts many....There seems to be a push on catamarans recently, even with marina's consolidating slips to rent to those buyers.....As for the person you mentioned, I believe I know who you are talking about....Really great and knowledgeable person...I am not sure if the position they placed him is not significant, (know that some people left or retired) I think it's almost critical given his knowledge and experience, but to be sure, heard some concerning stories. And I am certain the company will be dealing with lost compensation or incorrect classification issues, probably in the courts by some....but given how Frank B treated staff/customers and built this company, hard to fathom this is happening. Not unusual why companies can fail, but it's how they do so and treat their customers and employees is what counts....

I purchased one of the last 355's as it sat with a dealer for over a year , so I understand your thoughts about the 356. All these actions recently can and has diminished the value of our boats....But.....clearly Catalina, like others  has changed from the days when I first purchased my first 27, then moved up..Sailing is losing its appeal for now, but you can never replicate the sounds , control, and feel of a sailboat on the water....Even with solar and electric power. Just not the same.....Just takes a sail⛵

All the best, Happy Holidays and let's hope things self correct or improve ( a wish of course but tis the season)🎁🎄

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/catalina355/7A504EC3-54C8-42F4-85DB-1480496BF3FA%40gmail.com.

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Regards,

Walter Baransky