A sad day

Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
As a two time owner of a Catalina sailboat, this saddens me.

nshof.org

Butler, Frank - National Sailing Hall of Fame

Sailing's Henry Ford Let’s say you are running a machine shop in North Hollywood, California, and you’ve taken up dinghy sailing at the age of 30. You decide to buy a larger boat so your family can enjoy the sport, and when you go to pick it up, the builder hasn’t even started on it. […]
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Will Gilmore

Will Gilmore

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Oct 19, 2017
7,744
O'Day 19 Littleton, NH
Every sailboat designer today should bow their heads for this man. It sounds like he was quite the character with a lot of integrity. None can deny his impact.

-Will (Dragonfly)
 
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sailme88

sailme88

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Jan 19, 2010
1,171
Catalina 34 Casco Bay
He succeeded in one industry where Tucker failed in another...His legacy will reflect his high standards and foresight.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Will Gilmore said:
Every sailboat designer today should bow their heads for this man. It sounds like he was quite the character with a lot of integrity. None can deny his impact.

-Will (Dragonfly)
Click to expand
Much more than his designing skills, I think his ability as a CEO to listen to his customers, and interpret that into future products is his legacy. None of his boats were anywhere near ground breaking, but thats not the point. They fit the anticipated need perfectly. Do that for 50 years, and I call it a gift.
 
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william24424

william24424

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Jan 25, 2007
290
Cal Cal 33-2 cape cod
I admired his Catalina 30 sailboat design, A run of 36 years. Got folks, cruisers-racer-weekenders, out there. I still see several @ marina's throughout the Northeast today. Well done, Frank Butler. Rest in peace.

catalina_30_photo.jpg
 
Mikem

Mikem

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Dec 20, 2009
820
Hunter 466 Bremerton
Years ago I fell in love with a Catalina 30 but could not afford it so bought a used Columbia 8.7. We saw Catalina 36 Hull number one at the Newport, RI boat show in 1984, sail away price 55k. Fell in love with that but couldn't afford it so bought a used Columbia 10.7. In 1989 we saw in Tampa Bay, Fl Catalina 42 hull number one, sail away 99k but couldn't afford it so bought a Freeport 41. my daughter bought a Catalina 25 in 2012 and then a Catalina 30 in 2019. Even though our family now has three hunters 37C, 410, and 466 we obviously have always admired the Catalina line. Mr. Butler was an amazing man and the sailing community is deeply in debt to his genius. RIP.
 
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Will Gilmore

Will Gilmore

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Oct 19, 2017
7,744
O'Day 19 Littleton, NH
Jackdaw said:
Much more than his designing skills, I think his ability as a CEO to listen to his customers, and interpret that into future products is his legacy.
Click to expand
Something many designers have a real problem with, in all industries.

-Will (Dragonfly)
 
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M

Monterey385

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May 28, 2015
275
Catalina 385 Long Branch, NJ
In 2018 I had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Butler on a warranty item ... he was amazing ... Godspeed Frank
 
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