Boat models · Catalina
Catalina 38
Sailboat, coastal cruiser · built 1978-1990 · designed by Sparkman & Stephens / Butler
Key figures
Comfort27.9moderate
Capsize screen1.88passes for offshore
SA/D16.2cruiser
D/L256moderate
Ballast ratio0.43stiff
Hull speed7.4kt
- Built
- 1978-1990
- Designer
- Sparkman & Stephens / Butler
- Builder
- Catalina Yachts (USA)
- Rig
- Masthead Sloop
- Keel
- Fin w/spade rudder
- Length
- 38.1 ft
- Beam / draft
- 11.8 ft · 6.8 ft
- Displacement
- 15,900 lb
Design figures as published, not for any one hull. Full specifications on sailboatdata.com.
Reputation
Classcoastal cruiseras owners use it
Forumsordinarydoes the job, nobody seeks it
Roomy, cheap, easy to fix coastal cruiser; dated, soft-built, nobody's dream boat
- Coastal cruising
- ordinary · roomy and comfy, easy sailing
- First boat
- respected · cheap entry, parts and support plentiful
- Offshore passages
- mixed · some have gone, most owners say not ideal
- Club racing
- ordinary · PHRF-rateable, but heavy and not quick
- Loved
- Spacious interior for the price · Simple systems, easy DIY · Active owners association · Forgiving, stable under sail
- Gripes
- Dated 1980s interior · Underpowered in light air · Tight, cramped aft cabin · Wet, tender in a chop
- Survey for
- Wet deck core at chainplates and stanchions · Chainplate leaks and bulkhead rot · Water-damaged or delaminating rudder · Keel-stub grounding damage and hull-grid cracks
- Cross-shopped
- Catalina 36 · Hunter 37 · C&C 38 · Pearson 385
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