Catalina 385, a promising new model

by Sail-World Cruising on 6 Sep 2011 The latest Catalina - the 385 - is to be released for North Americans at the Annapolis Sailboat Show in October. At around $200,000 it sounds like an excellent deal, particularly if the boat lives up to the description here, given out by Catalina themselves:

Lead keels, roomy cockpits, long travelers for precise sail control, and long inboard genoa tracks that allow the sail plan to be balanced in all wind conditions are just a few of the many design features that sets the giant Florida sailboat manufacturer apart from other builders.

The 385 is the latest in the new line of Catalinas that began with the award-winning 445 introduced in April of 2009, successfully followed by the 355, Cruising World’s Domestic Boat of the Year in 2011. The new 385 evolved from successful design features and proportions – moderate beam carried well aft for a spacious cockpit, modest freeboard for reduced windage and an innovative, beautifully finished interior.

Attention was given to ergonomics and classic styling, which has been a trademark of Catalina for 41 years. The 385 breaks from tradition aesthetically, but has all the features that set it apart from other builders.

Among the unique features is a watertight StrikeZone™ collision bulkhead aft of the anchor locker. Contoured helm seating is elevated for comfort and visibility. Molded instrument pods at the helm with convenient primary winches and a new backstay system creates a great cockpit for the avid sailor. The mast support system features Catalina’s unique SecureSocket™ chain plates for superior load resolution. An optional asymmetrical spinnaker is optimized by a removable Selden bowsprit that can be stored in the anchor locker when not in use.

Below, Catalina uses teak and teak veneers for classic warmth, hand-finished with clear varnishes to preserve its natural beauty with less maintenance. A navigation desk with recessed laptop compartment has dedicated power ports. The custom Catalina electrical panel is neatly concealed behind a tinted acrylic door that allows for continual monitoring of power use, with a wiring system engineered for easy access.

The main cabin has generous seating with a custom folding table, and a port dinette that easily converts to a single berth. A linear cabinet has plenty of storage and maintains open site lines through the cabin. Polished handrails and fittings complement the teak interior cabinetry. The galley is optimized for convenience at sea or at the dock.

The owner’s cabin is forward with a custom, articulating innerspring mattress; an electrical lift is available for more comfortable reading or viewing TV. Guest accommodations are aft with a large double berth and storage lockers. A spa-style head and large shower complements its roomy interior.
Like all Catalinas larger than 30 feet, the new 385 is robustly built to CE category A standards, NMMA Yacht Certified, and follows all applicable American Boat and Yacht Council Standards.

Catalina’s philosophy is straightforward: Design boats that stand up to real world conditions and sail well. They must be comfortable above and below, easy to maintain and hold their value. A commitment to owner satisfaction has enhanced customer confidence and loyalty, so that Catalina has become one of the most prominent builders of sailboats in the United States and the world.

The new Catalina 385 will debut at the 2011 Annapolis Sailboat Show, October 6-10 2011 at a base price of $208,495, FOB Largo, Florida. For more information, visit www.catalinayachts.com.