The Top Selling Yachts Brands And Makes

The yacht, from the Dutch word Jach, which means todominate the very top end of the yacht building
hunt, was originally defined as a light, fast sailing vesselmarket.
used by the Dutch navy to track pirates andIn the US, Catalina Yachts is a popular builder of
smugglers around and into the shallow seas of thefiberglass monohull sloop-rigged sailboats ranging in
Low Countries. The word was later used to describesizes from eight to 47 feet in length. It was founded in
a wider range of vessels, usually of private use, and1969 in Hollywood, California by Frank Butler. Catalina
powered by sail, power, or both, and used for pleasureYachts is one of the largest boat manufacturers in the
cruising or racing. Generally, powered yachts areworld, with over 80,000 boats produced to date.
referred to as motor yachts to distinguish them fromThough Catalina constructs boats from as small as
yachts with sail propulsion.eight feet under their Capri nameplate, the company is
There are a number of yacht varieties, namely Daybest 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, andevery Catalina model still in use.
this enables them to operate in shallow waters, and ifColumbia Yachts is another popular US manufacturer
needed, they could be "dry out" or become beachedof sailboats, with offices and manufacturing facilities in
as the tide falls.Southern California. Formerly known as Glass Marine
Cruisers are by the far the most popular yacht inIndustries (GMI), they marketing their boats under the
private use, making up most of the 25- to 45-foot (7 mColumbia nameplate. The early models included the
to 14 m) range. These boats can be quite complex inColumbia 24 and Columbia 29.
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 the
interior space and on-board comfort.Columbia 50, at the time the world's largest fiberglass
Racing yachts are generally used to reduce theproduction sailboat. The Columbia 50's elegant beauty,
wetted surface area, which creates drag, by keepingexceptional comfort, and good race performance
the hull light whilst having a deep and heavy bulb keel,made this design a success. During the mid sixties
allowing them to support a tall mast with a great sailColumbia 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 preventing anlargest fiberglass sailboat manufacturer with
excessive heel angle. A racing yacht can attainmanufacturing plants throughout the world. In
speeds of up to 35 knots, depending on good weatherSeptember 2001, the firm was renamed the new
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.