Trade-A-Boat - July 2018

W

hen Chris-Craft

updated their

Catalina 29 to the

latest 30’ version,

they added 11”

to the overall length and overnight

accommodation in a well-appointed

cabin below. They also poured in a

touch of hyperbole with their claim

that the new console design is a

pilothouse. But the average Joe, who

gets behind the wheel with a cold

stream of air-conditioned comfort

sneaking past the open enclosure,

couldn’t care less if the Chris-Craft

iteration strays from the textbook

version of a pilothouse.

The company has been redefining

boating for generations with gorgeous

design - miles ahead of the pack.

Their lineup boasts an extensive

range of sporty and luxurious models

with the emphasis on luxury, so the

Catalina models stand out as the

rebels of the family. The mere thought

of sullying the decks with fish scales,

let alone even more unspeakable

components, seems scandalous.

Have a look at the photos and tell

me you’re going to hose down the

diamond pattern upholstery at the

end of the day. You aren’t. But if you’re

lucky enough to have one, your boat

detailer might.

Let’s put that aside for the

moment and look at the Catalina

dispassionately (as if that would

be possible). Decked out in a grand

Sapphire Blue paint scheme, its

graceful lines drew admiring glances

every where we went. Yes, it’s my boat

and don’t I look fantastic.

THE FINISH

A signature tumblehome flows forward

in perfect symmetry on a swooping

sheerline to a full flare and sharp entry.

If they made boats any sexier, they

would have to put a shroud around

them. The hardtop is a sculptured

artwork that assumes the shape

of the forward lounging area from

above and looks streamlined from

the sides. Chris-Craft designers must

have sweated out endless nights on

their CAD machines to conjure the

perfectly integrated wrap-around

glass enclosure into the hull to make

the optional Pilothouse the essential

selection on the 30. While it doesn’t

enclose the helm station completely, it

extends far enough around the helm to

offer protection to crew and electronics

66 tradeaboat.com.au