B69 is in the water. Ben, Glyn and the team have been flat-out post-Christmas to finish her in time for launching. This included painting, installing the foam fenders, systems installation and bolting the four outboards (yes, four) onto the transom. The fitting of the engines really changed her appearance; she now, very much, looks powerful and purposeful—clearly a boat of action.
One of the reasons Catalysts are the chase boat of choice for elite sailing teams is their ability to carry a heavy payload whilst maintaining performance; our recent testing has shown that with 16 people and a few tonnes of equipment on board, 45 plus knots is still very achievable.
Shortly B69 will be on the transport ship to Europe. The next time we see her, she will be blasting around the waters of Port Vell in Barcelona.
This is where we had got to in the Christmas Newsletter
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So What has happened since then...
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Final fairing & cabin top test fitting
Test fitting windows & windscreen
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Finalisation of the helm layout
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Hull painting completed
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The “Go Fast” installed (the paddling pool underneath is to collect the water from cooling the engines while we test ran them)
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Fitting the fenders
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Looking at her head on
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Sitting on her cradle, ready for loading onto the truck
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In her element. With some fine-tuning, WOT (wide open throttle) will be very close to 60 knots
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This is where we had got to in the Christmas Newsletter
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Catalyst AC 45 a preferred chase boat for elite sailing teams?
It can carry a heavy payload—up to 16 people and several tonnes of equipment—while still achieving speeds over 45 knots, combining power with performance.
What recent progress has been made on the B69 Catalyst?
The boat is now in the water with foam fenders installed, systems finalized, four outboard engines bolted on, fully painted, and ready for transport to Europe.
How fast can the B69 Catalyst AC 45 go?
With fine-tuning, it’s expected to reach close to 60 knots at wide open throttle (WOT), making it a very fast and capable vessel.
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