Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 387 by Jim Forrester

Year built	2004
Location of boat	Norfolk, Virginia
The boat is sailed on	Bays, sounds, or protected salt water
How the boat is used	Racing
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	5-6
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	2007
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Yes. Good cruising boat for a couple and I have been surprised at its racing performance.
Gear that's been added	Cruising spinnaker.
Structural or complex improvements	Added cabinet over the galley. Put an enclosure in shelf over the nav area. Put stainless handles on top of companionway entrance. Put wooden pole at bottom of companionway on edge of galley area. Placed two wooden handles inside companionway at the top of entrance. All these handles were important because the excellent interior space and headroom make movement risky in a seaway. It could be a long fall down the companionway with 6'7" headroom.
The boat's best features	Very roomy cockpit. Excellent sailing characteristics in light to moderate air. Hardware is properly sized for good sail management. Love the stall shower.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	The aft cabin headroom is poor. I still haven't gotten used to the contours of the ceiling and keep banging my head. I wish there was more stowage space. I don't trust the electric head.
Sailing characterisitcs	A reef is necessary once the wind hits 15. A second reef before 20 or the boat wants to round up. This boat has the wing keel which may compromise windward performance some. The boat is much faster than I anticipated, but then I have a great crew when I race. She loves to be off the wind.
Motoring characterisitcs	The engine is sized properly and moves the boat well.
Liveability	Tankage is good. Headroom is excellent except for aft cabin. The aft bed is very comfortable. Galley is well designed, but a little short on stowage space. Cockpit and salon are excellent social spaces. All systems are well designed and easily accessed. Good labeling on all hoses and wires.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	I have only contacted Catalina once and they were very responsive.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	Did not.
Other comments	I have been very pleased with the boat. I plan to spend over a month on her this summer sailing Long Island Sound and southern New England. I will go outside to get to NY so will be at sea for 2 to 3 days.

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