Just months after being purchased by Michael Reardon of Daedalus Yachts, Catalina Yachts has announced that they will stop production. The company cites “short-term financial challenges” for the reason and intends to return to building boats in the future. However, concerns raised by employees suggest that major changes will be necessary.
In a statement from Company President Patrick Turner, the manufacturer has committed to honoring all orders already on the books. “We have initiated a temporary production pause while we reorganize key areas of our operation. Like many manufacturers in today’s environment, we are navigating short-term financial challenges. Rather than pushing ahead in a way that could compromise quality or consistency, we have chosen to take a responsible pause while we finalize the support needed to move forward stronger.”
Despite the financial upheaval that is plaguing many builders in the marine industry this year, Turner remains optimistic that this hiatus will only be temporary. “This is not a setback in spirit—it is a reset in structure. Catalina has weathered many challenges over the decades, and each one has made us more resilient. This moment will be no different.”
Still, the company was hinting at a new model on the horizon as recently as the acquisition this spring. Things have changed fast. With so few surviving builders in the United States, it is our hope that Catalina successfully recovers and is back to production soon. Their legacy of over 50 years is one of quality and integrity, and it would be a blow to lose another great American brand.
To read Turner’s full statement, click here.
