Catana 65

About the Catana 65

The Catana 65 is an earlier-generation performance cruising catamaran by Christophe Barreau and Frédéric Neuman, distinct from the later angular Ultimate hulls. Its broad platform combines foam-core vinylester sandwich construction with aramid reinforcement and carbon-reinforced bulkheads and chainplate areas. Straight lifting daggerboards support efficient windward sailing while retracting to reduce draft when approaching shallower anchorages.

Accommodation was semi-custom, so delivered arrangements and subsequent refits can differ materially. Libeccio, a documented 2009 example refitted by Catana in 2017, illustrates one solution rather than a model standard: its refitted interior combines an owner’s hull with guest and crew spaces, a forward owner’s bathroom, a wood-finished saloon and a U-shaped galley serving the living and dining areas.

Twin aft helms give the skipper clear views along each side and keep the cockpit centre open for social use. The original yard specification paired the model with twin 110 hp diesels driving direct shafts; Libeccio should not be read that way, because this refitted example received two 150 hp Volvo D3 engines in 2017, also driving direct shafts.

That combination suits owners seeking generous cruising space without abandoning the handling logic of an earlier performance catamaran. The twin aft helms preserve an exposed, connected sailing position, while the 9.60-metre beam creates substantial separation between living areas. Choose the Catana 65 when straight retractable daggerboards, direct-shaft propulsion and flexible accommodation matter more than the newer Catana 70’s reverse bows and level saloon-to-cockpit concept.