Chris-Craft Catalina 31: The American Heritage of a Premium Center Console Boat

Unveiled as a world premiere at the 2025 Palm Beach International Boat Show, the new Catalina 31 is the flagship of a range that also includes the smaller Catalina 24 and Catalina 28. It embodies a refined blend of Chris-Craft’s legendary build quality and the Italian design finesse of architect Carlo Galeazzi. The result is a 9.30-meter center console boat for owners who demand style, functionality, and performance in a single, solid hull.

The new hull, with a 19° deadrise, ensures a smooth and stable ride even in rough waters—be it ocean swell or Mediterranean chop. Enhancing its already excellent hydrodynamic behavior is the standard Seakeeper Ride system, a dynamic trim control system with rotating blades that adjusts pitch, roll, and yaw (Vessel Attitude Control System: VACS), keeping the deck level at any speed and delivering smooth, comfortable turns.

The center console deck layout features a midship helm station that allows guests to move freely from bow to stern. Foldaway seating in the aft cockpit and hidden storage compartments in the deck reflect a smart use of space. Every detail aims to enhance comfort and functionality, from magnetic bow sunpads to refined teak accents. A classic American design trait is the reversed sheer line, with a high bow tapering towards the stern, ending in a structural bracket for the outboards, complete with a swim platform.

Noteworthy is the aerodynamic and sporty hardtop with wing-like contours, made of composite and integrated seamlessly with the windshield. It offers excellent protection without sacrificing visibility or airflow and can house optional equipment like radar, nav lights, antennas, solar panels, or audio systems.

The large bow sunpad is both spacious and stylish, enhanced by unique stitching and contoured cushions. The layout promotes a contemporary lifestyle, with integrated wireless chargers and USB/USB-C ports to keep personal devices always powered and within reach.

The helm is both elegant and user-friendly, integrating the CZone system—a digital energy distribution and control system that replaces traditional switches and fuses—with a custom Chris-Craft interface. Energy needs are covered by Lithionics lithium-ion batteries (LiFePO4), known for performance, longevity, safety, and light weight, ensuring onboard systems remain active even at anchor.

With capacity for up to 12 guests, a maximum power rating of 800 HP (2x Mercury 400), and a fuel reserve of 750 liters, the Catalina 31 is ideal for safe, extended cruising with full autonomy and comfort.

CHRIS-CRAFT CATALINA 31 2025 - SPEC SHEET

LOA: 10.40 m – Hull length: 9.3 m – LWL: 7.9 m – Beam: 3.1 m – Draft (engines up): 0.53 m – Max height: 3.58 m – Displacement: 4,515 kg – Deadrise: 19° – Fuel: 750 L – Freshwater: 40 L – Black water: 40 L – Capacity: 12 pax – Max power: 800 HP (2x400)

The Catalina Legacy

For over 150 years, Chris-Craft has shaped the American and global boating industry, adapting to economic challenges while preserving its reputation for innovation and artisanal quality. The Catalina line draws from this rich tradition, with roots going back to the iconic 1971 Chris-Craft Catalina.

It all began in 1874, when a 14-year-old Christopher Columbus Smith built his first wooden runabout—one of the earliest recreational boats with a combustion engine. His craftsmanship quickly gained acclaim, leading him to join forces with his brother Hank and pioneer standardized runabout production. Their mahogany speedboats became synonymous with quality and performance.

The company, Chris Smith and Sons Boat Co., was founded in 1922, building 24- to 33-foot runabouts. Despite the Great Depression and WWII, Chris-Craft delivered over 12,000 military boats by 1945. Post-war, it streamlined its offering while remaining a leader in pleasure boating.

In the 1960s and 70s, Chris-Craft embraced fiberglass construction, launching models like the Roamer, Custom Runabout, and Commander. But it was the 1971 Catalina that stood out—a fiberglass boat with an open cockpit and seating for 10, ideal for families. Chris-Craft marketing touted its “more features and more space than much larger boats.” Though production ended in 1975, its DNA lived on.

Over the years, the Catalina line evolved. A 22-footer was launched in 1973 for water sports, followed by the larger Catalina 25 (1976–1980). The Catalina 27 resurfaced in 1992 with twin V8s and an open cockpit, delivering thrilling speeds of up to 32 knots.

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