Catalac 9m (1971–1986)
The Original and Best-Seller
The Catalac 9m was the first full-production model and remained the most successful and widely produced. It introduced the key design elements that defined the brand: a practical, safe sail plan, a full bridge deck cabin, shallow draft hard-chine hulls with a vee underwater profile that gripped the water (moderately well) to easy leeway, while being perfectly safe from capsizing. Twin skeg keels and twin inboard engines were introduced several years into production.
Key Features:
- LOA: 9.14 metres (30 ft)
- Beam: 4.27 metres (14 ft)
- Shallow draft: ~0.75m
- GRP construction with high-quality layup
- Typically powered by twin diesel engines (mostly Yanmar)
- Accommodates 5 – 7 people comfortably
With over 300 units built, the 9m was widely exported and remains a beloved liveaboard cruiser, known for its:
- Exceptional stability and comfort at anchor or underway
- Ability to motor efficiently in light winds
- Capacity to dry out level on the beach
- Durability — many still in service worldwide
