2005 Catalina 440

Salon and Galley

As you step down the companionway into the spacious 14 foot wide salon & galley you are struck by the amount of natural sunlight and the visibility of your surroundings. In order to fully enjoy scenic views, the main cabin sole is raised to provide optimum visibility from the large, wide, cabin windows.

To port is a fully equipped navigation station and a full-length settee. The settee’s middle section folds down to provide a varnished hardwood surface suitable for laptops or tablets. The navigation table (with storage below) has a comfortable sliding chair with a swivel base. Electric AC/DC panel has all breakers grouped by function.

On the starboard side is the full galley in a functional ‘U’ shape ideal for safe use in a seaway. Counter space is ample for cooking and meal preparation. The galley is equally convenient for service to the salon dining and cockpit areas. 

Forward of the galley is the slightly raised ‘U’ shaped dining area which seats 6 comfortably. The varnished dining table has folding corners which convert from a large to a smaller cocktail size table as needed. This table lowers with the push of a button to serve as a convertible berth for two. There is excellent storage space throughout the interior. The cabin sole is a teak and holly finish with storage beneath. The interior is finished with warm, attractive teak bulkheads and solid teak cabinetry. Features include;

Air Conditioning and Heat provided from 16k and 10k BTU systems with

Two strategically located fans

Four overhead stainless steel hatches and other opening port lights provide ventilation

Teak hand rails alongside companionway and on interior ceiling for handholds

110 volt outlets well placed throughout

About 6' 10" headroom

Stainless steel double sinks with pressure water system

Corian galley counter tops

Ample storage above and below galley counter

Force 10 three burner LP stove/oven & solenoid safety valve

In-counter freezer

Refrigerator with temperature monitoring

Cutlery and utensils

Microwave

In-counter dry storage

Teak storage bins

Large number of drawers and cabinet for storage

Forward Master Cabin & Shower/Head

Forward of the Salon you enter the master stateroom. Features include;

Centerline queen berth, vanity and ensuite head with shower stall

Cedar lined hanging lockers and generous storage drawers under berth

Large forward facing overhead stainless steel hatch with sunshade providing ventilation

Inner-spring mattress

Substantial headroom throughout

Aft Guest Cabin & Shower/Head

Stepping aft from the Salon is the large guest cabin with queen size berth. Features include;

Centerline berth with innerspring mattress

Overhead ventilation hatch

Cedar lined lockers along entire port bulkhead providing massive storage

Dual door access to head with shower stall

Access door starboard side to the additional laundry/storage/workshop cabin, which is also accessible from the cockpit

Laundry/Storage/Workshop  

Accessed through the starboard side of the aft cabin is what the builder describes as a “flex room.” It can be used as a workroom or converted into a single berth. There is a hatch above and ladder which opens to the cockpit for light, air or access. Features include;

Washer/Dryer

Storage space

Ladder up to cockpit

Integrated SeaTalk system NMEA 2000 compatible, includes;

·     E120 Networked Multifunction Navigation display (GPS, Chart/Radar/AIS/Data)

·     Navionics Charts (updated 2019)

·     Pathfinder radar system

·     Raymarine 700 AIS transceiver

·     ST60 Tridata Graphic Display

·     ST6001 SmartPilot Autopilot with Handheld SmartController

·     ST60 Wind/Close Hauled Display

·     ST60 MFD Nav Station repeater at Nav station

Additional;

iCom M502A Marine radio RX/TX with Cockpit handheld

Iridium Go! Smart phone Satellite Communicator

Kenwood   Sirius/FM/USB/BT multifunction audio controller Cabin/Cockpit Speakers

AC/ DC Switch Panel Area;

Inverter Display and Control Panel

Mastervolt Battery Monitor Display

Freshwater and Blackwater Tankage Display

Potable fresh water system providing hot/cold water to galley, two heads, stern shower

Fresh water flush Raritan toilets in both heads

Heads piped to 55 gal holding tank with 'Y' valve

Shower sumps with electric sump pump

Anchor saltwater flushing system

Standing rigging replaced (2019)

High modulus main, jib and spinnaker halyards replaced (2019)

Doyle main, genoa and asymmetric spinnaker replaced (2019)

Sparcraft in-mast mainsail furling system (Rebuilt 2019)

Schaefer 3100 foresail roller furling system (Serviced 2022)

All furling lines replaced (2019)

All sheets serviceable

2-speed electric halyard/control line winch on cabin top – Harken

Two (2) 2-speed electric foresail sheet winches – Harken

Storm Jib and Trysail in good condition

All control lines led to cockpit thru 8 sets of line control lever clutches

Outboard genoa tracks and adjustable cars – two each P&S jib/genoa/gennaker

Tapered aluminum mast with double spreaders

Internal halyards

Navigation lights

Deck lights – LED (2019)

Wide walkaround decks with 31" tall life rails

Dodger & Bimini with linking cover

Cockpit seating accommodations;

- P&S large bench seats (9’ approx), helm seat, P&S stern corner rail seats

- Padded Helm, Bench seat and Stern seat cushions

Large island cockpit table with cup holders and internal storage 

Under-table prismatic lens for aft cabin illumination

Edson stainless steel folding wheel for increased cockpit space 

Edson center pedestal, mounting he wheel, navigation systems displays and the engine

Instruments and controls (see electronics section)

Stern rail and offset stern gate

Outboard hoist crane and mounting pad

Swim platform and swim ladder

Hot and Cold cockpit shower

Whale gusher manual bilge pump

Starboard lazarette with ladder down to flex space (workroom, storage & laundry).

Port 2 x 10lb propane storage

Port lazarette opening window hatch for aft cabin illumination

Five cabin top stainless opening hatches

Fixed salon windows 

Magma BBQ grill

Maxwell Electric anchor windlass w/ foot controls on foredeck

55lb Rockna anchor with115ft of chain and 200ft of rode

45lb CQR spare anchor

Dual anchor stainless steel roller frame

Large, divided anchor locker

Seawater anchor washdown hose

Hull #12, solid fiberglass below waterline, balsa cored above waterline

Teak toe rail

Wing keel 4'11" draft

Half-skeg hung rudder, hull bush replaced (2023), bronze lower split bush (refurbished 2023)

Polished and waxed (2023)

Fresh bottom paint Winter (2022/23) – MICRON CSC

Swim platform with integral life-raft storage

Nonskid deck

12VDC and 110VAC 60Hz

House bank Batteries - 750Ah - 3xGroup 8D AGM (2019)

Engine Battery – Group 31M 103Ah 1150CCA (2021)

Mastervolt Mastershunt battery monitoring system and EasyView display (2021)

Blue Seas ML Battery isolation switches and Blue SeasML-ACR Balancing system (2021)

All primary DC distribution wiring system upgraded, replaced (2021)

New fused distribution with central charging installed (Shore, Alternator, Solar) (2021)

170A Balmar XT Alternator with Charge Control (2019)

Sunpower 170 Watt Soft Panels on Bimini with Victrex MPPT100/30 Controller (2019)

NexGen 5.5 KW generator set (2007)

2kw/3kw Xantrex Freedom 2000 pure sine inverter with remote control (2019)

DC Switch Panel

AC Switch Panel

75+ft Shore Power cables 32A, 50ft Shore Power Cable 50A

Vetus 95kgf 6HP Bowthruster - motor serviced, new solenoid, pedestal control rebuilt (2022)

16k BTU Dometic reverse cycle A/C – sea-water strainer and pump replaced (2021)

10k BTU Dometic reverse cycle A/C – new controller, sea-water strainer and pump (2023)

Collision bulkhead aft of anchor locker

Tall stainless steel stanchions and lifelines (approx. 31”) with side gates

Stainless grab rails on cabin top

Emergency tiller

Viking 4-man life-raft (2019)

Floating EPIRB (2019)

Plasimo Danbuoy (2019)

Lifesling overboard ring (2019)

PFDs

GPS MOB button on Pedestal

MIMME button on iCom VHF

The 440 combines the rugged offshore features of Morgan with the comfort, ergonomics and style of a Catalina. In order to fully enjoy the view in the 440, the main cabin sole is raised to provide great visibility from the large, wide, cabin windows. All cruisers want speed under sail, easy motion and sure, predictable handling characteristics. The hull form of the 440 is conservative and sea-kindly and designed not to pound when going to weather or powering into seas. Offering the stability of a very low center of gravity, the 440 hull is stiff and comfortable. Representing the ideal cruising shape, the stem is raked to prevent damage when deploying or retrieving the anchor. The additional flare and buoyancy forward means dryer decks.

Space, comfort, and smart ergonomics make the Catalina Morgan 440 a viable alternative to terra firma-based retirement

• By Alvah Simon

For aging sailors, the desire to be out on the big blue seldom wanes, but their capacity to handle physically challenging tasks and their confidence may diminish over time. When the main becomes malevolently large and the ground tackle ponderously heavy, should we tie off our beloved craft and no longer go to sea? The answer, of course, is no, and the market is responding with boats that address the needs of this demographic. With baby boomers possessing more free time and money than in any other period of their lives, there’s no reason why they should be denied their cruising dreams.

“In designing the Catalina Morgan 440,” Catalina’s Gerry Douglas said, “we specifically targeted past owners who are ready for retirement cruising. We envisioned a manageable rig and an aft cockpit with a raised deck saloon that was large. All equipment and ergonomics were specifically selected and designed for comfort and ease of handling.”

Letting form follow function is a risk in an industry driven by image. To his credit, Douglas focused on the practical needs of his maturing customers and let the lines fall where they may. The resulting vessel won’t appeal to everyone, since it makes few concessions to racy aesthetics or high performance. But for those willing to trade that for extended time afloat, the 440 deserves close inspection.

The four judges of the Cruising World 2005 Boat of the Year contest come from diverse boating backgrounds and approach design with different priorities in mind. But during our dockside inspection of the boat, we all noticed thematic details that were apparent from stern to stem. The aft scoop is wide and low for ease of access from dock or dinghy. Although the pushpit makes a good handhold, an additional rail fixed inboard of the top-side/transom line would improve safety. The life raft can be launched from a designated locker on the scoop, thus avoiding the Herculean task of fishing a 100-pound raft from the depths of the lazarette and heaving it over high coamings and lifelines. Two wide yet shallow steps lead up into the cockpit through an offset transom aisle. This opening is secured with a slide-in splashboard and two stainless-steel wire gates that retract cleverly into the railing when not in use. A 10-inch bridgedeck prevents downflooding, and enormous drainage capacity aft lets this cockpit quickly shed boarding seas.

The steering pedestal on the test boat featured the customary instrumentation plus a GPS chart plotter. The 44-inch wheel is large enough for easy steering but small enough to walk around. The primary winches are within arm’s reach from behind the wheel. All mast control lines are led through rope clutches to a two-speed electric power winch on the cabin top.

A large folding table with stout handholds protrudes forward from the pedestal. The high coamings create a deep and secure cockpit. The captive washboard companionway hatch can be locked from above and below without having to fit or stow heavy pieces, and lifting the locker lids is assisted by gas springs.

At 31 inches, the lifelines are exceptionally high and have gates to port and starboard. While the cabin sides have a boxlike look and substantial windage, they also have handholds that complement the lifelines at the same height. Three-inch bulwarks and an aggressive nonskid surface fit well into this secure layout.

Stanchion bases wrap around the bulwark and are fastened from two angles, making a stiff attachment. Deck hardware attaches by means of threaded aluminum plates laminated into the underdeck. This system results in a hundred fewer holes in the deck and in simple maintenance access. The stem has a long overhang for ample anchor clearance. The rollers, lockers, cleats, and the Maxwell vertical windlass accommodate two sets of ground tackle. The windlass can also be used to haul the dinghy, but its switches should be capped for safety. A set of deep chocks for stowing the dinghy right side up on the foredeck would eliminate the struggle of inverting it.

A teak rubrail capped with rubber protects the topsides. The moderate canoe hull is solid hand-laid glass below the waterline and balsa core above, and vinylester resin is used to counter osmosis. The deck is through-bolted to an internal hull flange with 1-inch 316-stainless-steel bolts on 4-inch centers and bonded with 3M 5200. The encapsulated-foam rudder with a 2-inch solid stainless-steel stock hangs on a partial skeg.

The Charleston tapered mast is 62 feet 4 inches high, leaving room for wind instruments and a VHF antenna while still sliding under bridges along the Intracoastal Waterway. The 4-foot-11-inch wing keel is appropriate for the skinny waters of the Bahamas or Belize. U.S. West Coast customers may prefer the 5-foot-4-inch fin keel.

About 80 percent of the 440’s new customers ordered the boat with the standard in-boom Leisure Furl. While I have a natural suspicion of any complicated equipment, I’ll concede that hauling, reefing, and handling a large, stiff mainsail is perhaps the most physically demanding task on board. The advantages of in-boom as opposed to in-mast furling are that the sail can have roach, battens, and a boltrope, and if all goes awry, it still can be dropped manually like a conventional sail.

The meticulous attention to ergonomic detail is most apparent at the companionway entry. Three wide, scalloped steps covered in nonskid extend down to the cabin sole at a gentle angle. A banister borders the steps, and handholds run forward in the saloon at well-planned intervals.

The clear benefits of a raised deck saloon are the brightness, the visibility, and the enormous space created below the sole for machinery, tankage, and stowage. Changes in the cabin sole’s level in the 440’s saloon are made in small and equal increments, minimizing the tripping hazard.

To starboard is a spacious yet secure U-shaped galley. A front- and top-loading fridge/ freezer runs on AC or DC power. Large, 10-inch-deep double sinks, a three-burner stove, and plenty of counter space make this a viable work center. A garbage can is neatly molded under a flip-up companionway step.

The saloon lounge comes with an overstuffed sofa to port. The central seat folds down into a cocktail/game table, and with the flip of a lever, the outer two seats slide out to become full recliners with headrests. The dining table seats six for meals but swivels and folds down to a smaller size for cocktails. It also drops, with the help of an electric motor, to be converted into a double berth. For social occasions, a small nav station with a sliding and swiveling chair adds to the seating capacity.

The island double berth forward in the owner’s cabin offers easy access from both sides, and the spring mattress will soothe aching bones. Under the berth, an enormous stowage drawer runs on ball bearings for easy opening when heavily loaded. Both a small vanity with mirror and chair and a cedar-lined hanging locker sit to port, and a private head/shower lies to starboard. The head is large and well laid out, with a polished stainless-steel sink, a medicine chest, and Corian counter tops. However, all four judges had safety concerns regarding the sharp corners of the folding glass shower doors.

The aft cabin has a split double mattress that allows lee cloths to be fitted when real sea berths are required. An escape hatch opens into the cockpit and provides good ventilation.

Access to the aft head/shower on the port side is gained either from the main saloon or the aft cabin. To starboard aft lies a work/laundry room that can be converted into a quarter berth, should the grandchildren invade.

The height of the raised deck saloon precludes the use of dorade vents, but five Lewmar Ocean Series hatches with shades and screens should provide sufficient ventilation for coastal cruising. Passagemakers may wish to fit low-profile solar ventilators.

I discovered some inconsistencies in the quality of the joinery work, but overall, I found the interior to be big, bright, and well designed. A massive floorboard on gas springs lifts for unequalled access to an orderly bilge with a proper collection sump. The tankage is generous, with 176 gallons of water, 117 gallons of fuel, and 55 gallons for waste. Equally generous was the electric-power supply on the tested boat, which had a bank of two 8D deep-cycle house batteries, a separate starting battery, 115-volt/50-amp shore power and adapter, an 8-kilowatt Fischer Panda genset, and a Heart 2500 inverter.

The easily accessible 75-horsepower Yanmar auxiliary diesel drove the boat with power to spare. It handled well in tight turns and backed nimbly. Despite the light winds during our test, all judges agreed that the boat was manageable and responsive; it generally outperformed our expectations.

Ultimately, value is determined through a combination of original cost, reliability, and customer service. Catalina, like other companies in the boatbuilding industry, employs new materials and construction techniques that improve durability and reduce maintenance costs. Also, Catalina has long been considered a leader in customer service and support.

In summary, the Catalina Morgan was voted the Best Production Cruiser from 40 to 45 Feet because it’s an interesting and appropriate choice for sailors looking for a roomy, comfortable, and affordable cruising boat. And especially for the more mature crowd, whose members are increasingly challenged by the physical demands of sailing, the 440 offers a host of features specifically designed to keep them sailing longer. And that’s a very good thing.

BOTY judge and seasoned cruising veteran Alvah Simon is plotting his next bluewater adventure.