Catalina 26
The Chris-Craft Launch 25 GT is a 26-foot powerboat that was launched by the iconic Michigan-based yacht-building firm Chris-Craft in 2023. Classic good looks, deluxe living spaces with a timeless vibe and sheer power combine to create the perfect runabout for high-speed adventure, thrilling leisure pursuits or simply a fine time out on the water with the entire family. A handsome profile with a floating hard-top or an al-fresco appeal features a tumblehome feel to aft, a plumb bow and a low-slung presence on the water, while impeccable detailing recalls the iconic Chris-Craft models from the 1930s but with a 21st century level of comfort and amenity.
There are a range of customizable livery colors available for this yacht, with sophisticated gel-coatings in tones like ivory or navy blue, while optional upgrades include bright-work and highlights in authentic mahogany or pale teak. You can expect a wide leather sunpad for up to three sun-worshippers to aft, just a single step up from a full-beam, teak-lined bathing platform with a swim ladder, a transom shower and a pop-up ski pylon for watersport pursuits. Heading into the cockpit you will discover a plush L-shaped sofa for up to four guests with integrated cup-holders and lavish backrests, alongside a single-seat to starboard. Looking for refreshment? There’s a slide-out ice-cooler hidden behind one of the seats, while a hidden head with a toilet and a sink is located behind the helm to port. Head beyond a walk-through pane in the curved and tempered glass windshield to encounter a compact bow-lounge with wrap-around, block-stitched seating that can be used for convivial conversation at a flip-up timber cocktail table or used as a pair of decadent chaise-longues for a couple of guests.
At the helm there are two swivel chairs facing a heritage-inspired helm station with a mahogany and leather-lined steering wheel, metal-lined gauges, a trumpet horn and a timber fascia. Modern navigational tech comes in the form of a Garmin touch-screen with bundled instrumentation, electronic throttles built against the bulwark, a Seacore Active Trim system, power assist on the wheel, digital feedback and bow thruster controls. If you opt for the Wake Surf edition of this model you can also expect Wake WorX surf-tab switches, a rear-view mirror and a Volvo Water Sport Glass Cockpit screen, while a Fusion stereo system linked to a set of JL audio speakers comes as standard.
You can choose between outboard, stern-drive or forward-drive engines to propel this sleek vessel to top speeds of over 51 knots at full throttle and efficient cruising speeds of around 30 knots. Options include a 375HP Volvo Penta 8.1 V8 stern-drive, a 425HP Yamaha 4-stroke outboard motor or a 430HP Mercury V 8.2L B3 engine, while surfers will surely opt for the 380HP Volvo 6.2L forward-drive to keep the engine exhaust safely redirected away from the action to stern. A 77-gallon fuel tank will keep you cruising all day long, while a hull with a spiky 20-degree deadrise and a shallow draft has been optimized for both choppy coastal water-courses and placid shallows alike.
