Thank you for this article. I think it shines a light on how much BS there is right now in the industry. There are a lot of manufacturers that issue pretty press releases and CAD pictures on websites, but aren't making many boats. Just to arbitrarily pick on one name, how many Kraken yachts actually exist? I wish all these cool new designs were actually being built, but I fear they are not. I would be super nervous writing most of these manufacturers a big check for a boat I'm supposed to get in 24 months.
Thank you for reading and commenting. I agree, ordering a boat built for drlivery 24 months later is financially risky. Makes used boat buying look good by comparison. However, there are ways to minimize risk. Will be talking more about that topic in 2026. Subscribe now:
An Edenton based online newspaper ran two articles on this, using the Practical Sailor video, your reporting, Scuttlebutt and other online sources. Can be seen at albemarleobserver.news. When he arrived in Edenton about 8 years ago he billed himself as a real estate developer and was involved in a scheme to defraud a condo association of property; this was stopped by a lawsuit by association members.
Daedalus shipped a boat back in July to be “outfitted” in France according to Reardon. Here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwPJsBbBlfo. Can anyone identity the port where it was shipped? The boat was an empty shell and was designed a D100
The D100 was offloaded in Saen, France, about an hour south of Brest according to google maps. Very close to the offload pier is JFA Yachts which appears to cater to multi million dollar yachts. Rumor in Edenton is that Stephan Muff owns the D100.
It's good to get some background on what has gone wrong at Catalina Yachts since it was purchased by a new owner. They seem to be landing in a heap of trouble if there production financing situation isn't sorted out soon. When they went upscale with the new Tripp luxury model line, the overall sales of current models might be lagging or brought into question. It seems headed for a sad result unless a boat production financing specialist can be brought in to sort it out. Do they not have enough orders or completed orders paid for or what is upsetting efficient cash flow to bankroll the efficient boat production that built Catalina's former success?
I.worked at Catalina and since Reardon bought it, it has been a nightmare. No paychecks, no insurance, nothing but heartache for the work we do and love.
This is a sad and unfortunate thing to happen to an iconic American brand I’ve been a dealer for (Tartan too) in various capacities since 2004. Sad for American manufacturing and sad for the marine industry and devastating for the ever shrinking sailboat industry. Thankfully, we didn’t have any work in progress boats deposited and under construction for inventory or sold to customers. Such is not the case for many of our other dealer friends. Truly hoping a new investor can be found, and a Phoenix can rise from the ashes.
My dad worked at Catalina for 49 years. We're waiting to hear news about Catalina. We were wondering how they went back at Tartan. If you hear anything, please can you let us know. Thank you
"Back in the Day", I had the opportunity to meet and talk briefly with Frank Butler while the Catalina Dealer where I served as a Yard manager, employed my help to work the Catalina booth at the Annapolis Boat Show. The thing that impressed me the most about Mr. Butler was his love for his customers, his employees and his company. The American boat building industry and the memory of Frank Butler (and his employees) does not deserve what has happened to his beloved company.
After going to the Annapolis Sailboat Show a week or 2 ago, I just don't understand how enough people can afford to buy a brand new sailboat with the prices these days, and keep these companies afloat. I'm holding onto my 1983 Seidelmann 30T for dear life!
It's too bad he's killed Catalina. A fine American built boat.ii used to work at channelnislands landing,and remember when the catalina a factory was in the valley. I hope Catalina and tartan can survive.
If you wanted to act like a self-promoting fraud taking advantage of a distressed niche market dependent on discretionary domestic spend, and expecting years of tariff-driven headwinds, what would you do that Reardon didn't? What wouldn't you do that Reardon nevertheless did?
Thank you for this article. I think it shines a light on how much BS there is right now in the industry. There are a lot of manufacturers that issue pretty press releases and CAD pictures on websites, but aren't making many boats. Just to arbitrarily pick on one name, how many Kraken yachts actually exist? I wish all these cool new designs were actually being built, but I fear they are not. I would be super nervous writing most of these manufacturers a big check for a boat I'm supposed to get in 24 months.
Thank you for reading and commenting. I agree, ordering a boat built for drlivery 24 months later is financially risky. Makes used boat buying look good by comparison. However, there are ways to minimize risk. Will be talking more about that topic in 2026. Subscribe now:
https://portroyalgroup.com
That unfinished catamaran looks like a "project" boat I might actually be excited to get my hands on!!! LOL
An Edenton based online newspaper ran two articles on this, using the Practical Sailor video, your reporting, Scuttlebutt and other online sources. Can be seen at albemarleobserver.news. When he arrived in Edenton about 8 years ago he billed himself as a real estate developer and was involved in a scheme to defraud a condo association of property; this was stopped by a lawsuit by association members.
I'm curious about the condo court case you referenced. Petercswanson@gmail.com
Daedalus shipped a boat back in July to be “outfitted” in France according to Reardon. Here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwPJsBbBlfo. Can anyone identity the port where it was shipped? The boat was an empty shell and was designed a D100
It's Brest.
The D100 was offloaded in Saen, France, about an hour south of Brest according to google maps. Very close to the offload pier is JFA Yachts which appears to cater to multi million dollar yachts. Rumor in Edenton is that Stephan Muff owns the D100.
Reardon has pretty much confirmed it's muffs boat
It's good to get some background on what has gone wrong at Catalina Yachts since it was purchased by a new owner. They seem to be landing in a heap of trouble if there production financing situation isn't sorted out soon. When they went upscale with the new Tripp luxury model line, the overall sales of current models might be lagging or brought into question. It seems headed for a sad result unless a boat production financing specialist can be brought in to sort it out. Do they not have enough orders or completed orders paid for or what is upsetting efficient cash flow to bankroll the efficient boat production that built Catalina's former success?
I.worked at Catalina and since Reardon bought it, it has been a nightmare. No paychecks, no insurance, nothing but heartache for the work we do and love.
We should talk. Petercswanson@gmail.com
This is a sad and unfortunate thing to happen to an iconic American brand I’ve been a dealer for (Tartan too) in various capacities since 2004. Sad for American manufacturing and sad for the marine industry and devastating for the ever shrinking sailboat industry. Thankfully, we didn’t have any work in progress boats deposited and under construction for inventory or sold to customers. Such is not the case for many of our other dealer friends. Truly hoping a new investor can be found, and a Phoenix can rise from the ashes.
My dad worked at Catalina for 49 years. We're waiting to hear news about Catalina. We were wondering how they went back at Tartan. If you hear anything, please can you let us know. Thank you
"Back in the Day", I had the opportunity to meet and talk briefly with Frank Butler while the Catalina Dealer where I served as a Yard manager, employed my help to work the Catalina booth at the Annapolis Boat Show. The thing that impressed me the most about Mr. Butler was his love for his customers, his employees and his company. The American boat building industry and the memory of Frank Butler (and his employees) does not deserve what has happened to his beloved company.
After going to the Annapolis Sailboat Show a week or 2 ago, I just don't understand how enough people can afford to buy a brand new sailboat with the prices these days, and keep these companies afloat. I'm holding onto my 1983 Seidelmann 30T for dear life!
It's too bad he's killed Catalina. A fine American built boat.ii used to work at channelnislands landing,and remember when the catalina a factory was in the valley. I hope Catalina and tartan can survive.
Gah. That's horrible.
If you wanted to act like a self-promoting fraud taking advantage of a distressed niche market dependent on discretionary domestic spend, and expecting years of tariff-driven headwinds, what would you do that Reardon didn't? What wouldn't you do that Reardon nevertheless did?
Where's that damn perfumed tequila?
What??? I feel like I need tequila to wrap my head around this one.
Mission accomplished!
Do you know who paid Tartan employees?? How did they return to work?
I do not. There's a lot to be known