Catalina Yachts Inc

Frank Butler founded Catalina Yachts in 1970 because he wanted to "come out with sailboats of a design that could be affordable." Butler thought he'd achieved that goal with Catalina's first boat, a 22-footer, and figured that he'd be happy if he eventually sold 300 of the boats. Twenty-two years later, the Woodland Hills-based company has sold more than 50,000 boats, from eight-foot models that sell for a little more than $1,000 to 50-foot yachts with $250,000-plus price tags.

Frank Butler founded Catalina Yachts in 1970 because he wanted to "come out with sailboats of a design that could be affordable." Butler thought he'd achieved that goal with Catalina's first boat, a 22-footer, and figured that he'd be happy if he eventually sold 300 of the boats. Twenty-two years later, the Woodland Hills-based company has sold more than 50,000 boats, from eight-foot models that sell for a little more than $1,000 to 50-foot yachts with $250,000-plus price tags.