Catalina 26
The Chris-Craft Commander 44 is a 43-foot luxury cabin cruiser that was produced by the renowned Michigan-based builder Chris-Craft between 2017 and 2020. Inspired by some of the classic models in the storied Chris-Craft inventory, this model harks back to the golden age of mid-century yachting with a timeless profile, deluxe accents and a form not unlike the lobster boats of old. Yet this is a decidedly modern vessel, too, with sultry curves, high-tech interventions, 21st century amenities and a cutting-edge build quality perfect for multi-day voyages with the whole family.
Available with a navy-blue or cream-toned livery and a range of eye-catching bootstripes, this yacht also impresses with authentic teak decking, mahogany accents, solid stainless-steel fixtures and tinted, wrap-around glazing. Head out onto the foredeck and soak up the rays at a double-width sunpad, or negotiate the side-decks to find your way to a sedate open-air cockpit nestled under an extending sunshade. Back here there is a wet-bar with a grill and chilled storage, along with an L-shaped sofa in leather that traces the transom and the port-side of the bulwark. A transom gate then leads out to a full-beam hydraulic bathing platform lined in teak with a swim ladder and a stern-side shower, perfect for salt-water swims with the kids.
A set of steel-framed and arched sliding glass doors open up to connect the main-deck salon to the elements, and you will find a twin-set of L-shaped leather sofas surrounding an extending timber or marble-topped dining table in this demure space. Cresting-wave side glazing and a transparent sun-roof give this area plenty of natural light, while a flip-open galley to starboard hides a range of cooking, cleaning and refrigeration amenities to keep guests in here well-fed and refreshed. Up front there is a port-side helm with a pair of comfortable piloting seats facing a non-glare helm station with a mahogany-lined, power-assisted steering wheel, Penta joystick handling, Lenco trim-tab switches, electric throttles, a mounted compass, hand-held VHF radio and a pair of Garmin touch-screens with bundled instrumentation.
Head down onto the secluded lower-deck to enjoy sleeping quarters for up to four overnight guests across two lavish staterooms. A double cabin by the bow features portholes glazing, a skylight, a queen-sized island bed and two timber-lined lockers, while a full-beam cabin amidship boasts portholes, a queen-sized bed, a side sofa and plenty of storage. There’s also room in this cabin for an extra single-bed or a work-desk depending on your requirements, while head facilities down here are split between a bathroom with a toilet, a ceramic sink and a mirror to starboard and an enclosed wet-room shower room to port.
A robust fiberglass hull with category-A certification boasts a double-height, wave-piercing bow entry for sublime oceanic voyaging, while a pair of 435HP Volvo Penta IPS600 D6 inboard engines should deliver top speeds of 32 knots and a silky-smooth cruising speed of around 26 knots. With a 396-gallon fuel tank you will be able to traverse pristine waters for days on end, with a 290 nautical mile range at cruising speed.
