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Catalina 470
Designer: Frank Butler  ·  Builder: Catalina Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1995
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About the Catalina 470

Designed as Catalina Yachts' flagship cruising sailboat, this 47-footer represents the builder's commitment to creating accessible bluewater vessels for serious cruising sailors. The 470 embodies Catalina's philosophy of combining seaworthiness with comfort, making long-distance sailing achievable for couples and families seeking offshore adventures. Built with a moderate displacement hull and thoughtful interior layout, the 470 prioritizes livability without sacrificing sailing performance. The boat features Catalina's signature approach to cruising design: spacious accommodations, practical deck layouts, and systems designed for extended voyaging. Her beam provides impressive interior volume, while the cockpit arrangement facilitates both comfortable sailing and relaxed entertaining at anchor. The 470's construction reflects modern fiberglass techniques with attention to structural integrity needed for offshore passages. Her sail plan balances power and manageability, making her suitable for shorthanded sailing while maintaining the performance expected from a boat of this size. Popular among cruisers planning extended voyages or liveaboard situations, the 470 has earned recognition as a capable platform for serious coastal and offshore cruising, continuing Catalina's reputation for building reliable, well-equipped sailing vessels.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 47.00 ft / 14.33 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 41.00 ft / 12.50 m
Beam 14.17 ft / 4.32 m
Max Draft 7.25 ft / 2.21 m
Displacement 27,000 lb / 12,247 kg
Ballast 10,800 lb / 4,899 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 1010 ft² / 93.83 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Frank Butler
Builder Catalina Yachts (USA)
First Built 1995
Last Built 2005
Number Built 100
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
102
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
17.92
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
40.0
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
174.89
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 12.45 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 17.91
J (Foretriangle Base) 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 1,010.00 ft² / 93.83 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Yanmar
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 76
Fuel Capacity 84 gals / 318 L
Water Capacity 214 gals / 810 L
How It Compares

vs. Hunter 45 Wk, Sun Odyssey 47 Jeanneau, Tartan 4700

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Catalina 470 ★
47.0 ft
Hunter 45 Wk
46.7 ft
Sun Odyssey 47 Jeanneau
47.0 ft
Tartan 4700
46.9 ft
LWL
Catalina 470 ★
41.0 ft
Hunter 45 Wk
39.6 ft
Sun Odyssey 47 Jeanneau
40.7 ft
Tartan 4700
39.5 ft
Beam
Catalina 470 ★
14.2 ft
Hunter 45 Wk
13.8 ft
Sun Odyssey 47 Jeanneau
14.4 ft
Tartan 4700
14.1 ft
Displacement
Catalina 470 ★
27 lbs
Hunter 45 Wk
25 lbs
Sun Odyssey 47 Jeanneau
28 lbs
Tartan 4700
28 lbs
Ballast
Catalina 470 ★
10 lbs
Hunter 45 Wk
10 lbs
Sun Odyssey 47 Jeanneau
10 lbs
Tartan 4700
9 lbs
Sail Area
Catalina 470 ★
1,010 sq ft
Hunter 45 Wk
948 sq ft
Sun Odyssey 47 Jeanneau
1,152 sq ft
Tartan 4700
1 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Catalina 470 ★
102 s/nm
Hunter 45 Wk
Sun Odyssey 47 Jeanneau
Tartan 4700
84 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Catalina 470 ★
17.9
Hunter 45 Wk
17.5
Sun Odyssey 47 Jeanneau
19.6
Tartan 4700
17.8
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Catalina 470 ★
40.0 %
Hunter 45 Wk
42.6 %
Sun Odyssey 47 Jeanneau
35.4 %
Tartan 4700
34.8 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Catalina 470 ★
Hunter 45 Wk
28.7
Sun Odyssey 47 Jeanneau
Tartan 4700
30.6
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Catalina 470 ★
Hunter 45 Wk
1.88
Sun Odyssey 47 Jeanneau
Tartan 4700
1.86
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Catalina 470 ★
174
Hunter 45 Wk
184
Sun Odyssey 47 Jeanneau
190
Tartan 4700
202
Hull Speed
Catalina 470 ★
Hunter 45 Wk
8.4 kts
Sun Odyssey 47 Jeanneau
Tartan 4700
8.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Catalina 470 ★
Hunter 45 Wk
3.0
Sun Odyssey 47 Jeanneau
Tartan 4700
2.8
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