C & T Composites has shipped its first completed Catalina yacht following its acquisition of the Catalina Yachts and True North Yachts intellectual property, moulds and significant manufacturing assets earlier in 2026.
The new Catalina 356 has left the company’s manufacturing facility in Largo, Florida, for Sail Annapolis, where it will be commissioned before appearing at the Annapolis Sailboat Show in October.
The shipment is the first tangible output from the company’s restart programme. Operations are being rebuilt at Catalina’s former site, with boatbuilders returning and a new manufacturing and management team being assembled. C & T Composites has said its priorities include production quality, fit and finish, materials and manufacturing efficiency.
Construction quality
“A tremendous amount of work has gone into bringing Catalina production back and getting to this moment,” said Patrick Turner, chief executive of C & T Composites. “Watching our first Catalina leave the factory is something everyone here can be proud of.”
And he said the company did not intend to position Catalina as a mass-produced range. Instead, it plans to retain the brand’s established identity while updating construction quality and the ownership experience.
The company is also working to strengthen Catalina’s dealer network and resume deliveries to customers in the US and international markets.
“Catalina has always had its own identity,” Turner said. “We want today’s Catalina to represent something distinctly American — beautifully built, comfortable, substantial and created for owners who appreciate quality and craftsmanship.”
Relaunched operation
The Annapolis appearance will give dealers and owners an early view of production from the relaunched operation. The company will hold a Catalina owners’ event on 17 October. No production targets, order figures, investment totals or delivery schedule for further yachts were disclosed.
C & T Composites builds Catalina Yachts, True North Yachts and Xplor Yachts, with in-house capabilities covering fibreglass production, woodworking, assembly and engineering.
