Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 400 by Porter Loring

Year built	1997
Location of boat	San Diego, CA
The boat is sailed on	Bays, sounds, or protected salt water
How the boat is used	Weekends and longer
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	1998
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	A charter party sunk my first C400 on New Years Eve off San Diego. Two weeks later that finally had it raised, and I bought my second C400 the same day, which was the day my insurance company told me my boat was Totaled!! I guess this speaks for itself.
Gear that's been added	Garmin 210 w/beacon rec'vr Garmin 220 w/beacon rec'vr ICOM 700 SSB ICOM VHF Furuno Radar Furuno Weatherfax Cell Phone Land Line Phone Brookes
Structural or complex improvements	None needed
The boat's best features	Having had 8 Catalinas, I think it is obvious that I am a loyal Catalina fan. First, I think you get much more for you money. Their design is modern, yet not objectionably contemporary. They probably have the best use of space that any production boat. Much has been done to bring light into all areas of the boat below. Excellent customer from dealer and builder. All boats have preformed well and were free of major structual problems.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Really have had no problems that I didn't make myself. Of all of the boats I have had, the 26' sailed the poorest. It was a different concept for Catalina, and did not preform up to Catalina quality. Otherwise all of the others have been relatively free of normal problems.
Sailing characterisitcs	Catalina 400 - A nice sailing boat, particularly in light to moderate air. Unless you are able to trim it out, the weather helm can become heavy. Even in heavy air, the boat seems to heel over to a groove and tracks at that angle. Will head up if not trimmed. Other than the one that was sunk, the boat holds up to charter use well. Seems to point well, and has no trouble with C42's equally rigged.
Motoring characterisitcs	In reverse - HANG ON TIGHT!! In forward motoring and control are excellent. Because of the balanced rudder, you must drive the boat, it will not track without a hand on the wheel. The Autoprop is amazing. I had the first one in the San Diego area, and people could not believe its performance. Higher speed, lower rpm.
Liveability	In true Catalina tradition, you get more living space per foot of length than any line of boats I know. The C400 would be an ideal live aboard. The Aft Cabin with King Size bed and vanity is fantastic, in spiite of the rather low headroom. V Bunk area is a little tight to two large adults, and both heads could be slightly larger. The saloon is huge for a 40'er. Great for entertaining or just hanging out. Galley is well laid out and useable.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	H
Other comments	I believe the above tells it all!

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