Catalina 26
The Chris-Craft Launch 34 is a 34-foot luxury powerboat that was produced by Michigan’s distinguished yacht builder Chris-Craft between the years of 2016 and 2021. A sedate runabout with plenty of heritage touches, this bowrider model was directly inspired by classic Chris-Craft models from the 1930s. A flared bow and a tumblehome transom pair beautifully with plush cream-toned upholstery, teak brightwork, mahogany accents and authentic steel fixtures, while a sleek and demure form will appeal to those who like to stay stylish and sophisticated as they cruise. On the move this vessel becomes less show-pony, more race-horse. A C-class hull crafted from reinforced fiberglass works in tandem with heavy-duty stern-drives for adrenalin-pumping propulsion that will leave your peers far behind.
The raked windscreen has a walk-through pane built into it for access into the bow-lounge, where you will find wrap-around, hook-shaped seating in plush two-toned leather-effect upholstery that traces the curves of the gunwale. Extras out here include under-seat storage, a pop-up cocktail table with integrated cup-holders and a set of JL Audio speakers linked to the boat’s Fusion stereo system. A much larger, teak-lined seating area awaits in the cockpit, where an expansive, diamond-stitched U-shaped sofa seats up to six guests at a time. There’s another timber-lined table back here, this time large enough for lunches and evening soirees, while a pair of sloping backrests mean this space can be used as a pair of languid chaise-longues. Hidden storage back here includes sports lockers for your surfing and wakeboarding gear, while a slide-out fridge keeps refreshments crisp and ice-cold. There’s a pair of full-length sunpads with teak-and-steel grabrails to transom, while a single step leads down to a full-beam bathing platform at the stern with a swim ladder, a custom-designed flagpole and a pop-up ski pylon perfect for high-octane watersports.
At the swish helm there are a pair of bespoke leather-clad piloting seats; one facing a capacious glovebox and another directly facing a stylish helm station. A mahogany-trim steering wheel, sinuous lines, a metallic mesh frame, chrome-lined gauges, a cushioned hand-rest and a steel trumpet-horn provide plenty of old-world class, but there’s also a great deal of modern appeal here, too. Expect twin Garmin touch-screen devices with bundled instrumentation, a Mercury Axius or Volvo Penta joystick, power-assist on the wheel, digital throttles, a depth-finder and underwater light switches. Hidden behind the helm console, meanwhile, is a head compartment with walnut or silver oak surrounds, a vanity mirror and a Tecma head, ideal for freshening up in discreet privacy.
Top range engine choices include a pair of 430HP Mercury 6.2L V8 gasoline motors or twin 430HP Volvo Penta V8 stern-drives for top speeds of up to 50 knots at full-throttle. Settle into a smooth economy cruise in the mid-20 knot range to enjoy a full-day of piloting thanks to a 185-gallon fuel tank, while a signature modified-V hull-form delivers a dry and agile ride.
