On April 30, Daedalus Yachts founder Michael Reardon announced that he and his company had acquired Catalina Yachts and its sister company True North. The announcement signals both a major shift in American boat building and a promise of continuity for two brands that have iconic status in the sailing and power boating communities.
“For over 50 years, Catalina has stood for accessible, well-built boats that deliver real sailing pleasure,” said Patrick Turner, Catalina’s president. “Michael Reardon shares those values, and we’re confident he’ll carry them forward while positioning the brand for the future.”
Reardon, who with his partners founded Daedalus Yachts in Edenton, North Carolina, commented “We’re not just preserving the legacy—we’re building upon it. Catalina and True North are iconic American brands. I’m honored to lead them into the next era of growth and innovation.”
Reardon, who has a long award-winning history in high tech boat building, said that both Catalina and True North will continue operation in their existing plant in Largo, Florida. The current staff will be maintained, and the new owner will continue to support the existing dealer network.
More than a hundred thousand Catalina boats have been launched since Frank Butler founded the company in 1969. For current owners, the new ownership represents a brand continuity that means Catalina and True North will still provide the product support the company has been known for over the last 50-plus years.
The contrast between the Catalina and True North brands and Daedalus could not be more striking. While Catalina and True North have always built boats that are conservative, classic and practical, boats that get American families out on the water, Daedalus is a high-tech disrupter that creates all-carbon energy-efficient catamarans for mega millionaires.
A founding partner of Daedalus is Stefan Muff who created the technology for Google Maps. More than four billion people use his products every day. As a historic “change maker”, Muff is committed to eco-friendly yachting and advanced boat building techniques.
With Michael Reardon at the helm, Muff and Daedalus intend to steer both Catalina and True North on a course to an innovative future. How these three brands, each with its own history and DNA, fit together going forward will take time to tell. But, at the least and for the time being, Catalina and True North won’t fade into the mist like so many other American boat builders over the pasty two decades.
