Catalina 390 is 380 with split aft cabin

The Catalina 390 offers a generous combination of performance, comfort and practical accommodations. From the cheerful three-stateroom interior, to the spacious cockpit, to the easy-to-handle sailplan that also provides plenty of punch, the Catalina 390 appeals on many levels. Which, of course, is not much of a surprise. Frank Butler, the founder of Catalina Yachts, has had his finger on the pulse of the American sailboat market for more than 30 years.

While most builders dream of production runs that might, if the stars align just right, hit three digits, Catalina routinely produces models that sell in the thousands. Last year the company launched hull No. 2,000 of the venerable Catalina 36. The old Catalina 30 just may be the best-selling sailboat ever in the 30-foot and up category. One key reason for purchasing a new Catalina is that the company makes a commitment to each boat it builds: Your model won’t be replaced or outdated before you’ve had a chance to thoroughly enjoy it. And enjoyment is what the Catalina 390 is all about.

Eastern Yacht Sales of Riviera Beach, Florida, made hull No. 6 available for a SAILING Magazine boat test on Biscayne Bay after the recent Strictly Sail Miami boat show in February. The setting was ideal. The southeast trade wind was warm and steady, but it hardly caused a ripple on the surface of the well-protected turquoise shallows. As we glided past the shimmering glass buildings that line Brickel Avenue, it didn’t require a lot of imagination to feel rich and famous.

The details
The Catalina 390 has a modern hull shape, including a fairly long waterline with flat underbody sections that allow the boat to carry quite a bit of displacement while maintaining the option of shoal draft. We sailed the wing-keel model with a draft of just 4 feet, 10 inches. The fin keel, which is designed for the West Coast no doubt, pushes the draft to more than 7 feet. The displacement of the wing keel model is 19,500 pounds, 500 pounds more than the fin version. Interestingly, the new 390 displaces just about the same as the larger Catalina 400. By the numbers the 390 falls squarely into the cruiser category with a sail area/displacement ratio of around 16 for the standard rig (as opposed to the optional tall rig) and a fairly hefty displacement/length ratio of 290 for the wing-keel model. The beam is 12 feet, 4 inches and is carried well aft, creating room for twin aft cabins, a huge cockpit and an extra-wide stern step.

The hull of the 390 is solid fiberglass and hand laminated, primarily of biaxial knitted fabric. The deck is balsa cored. The hull-and-deck joint incorporates a small molded bulwark. Catalina employs many molded sections and liners in the 390. The fiberglass subsole grid section is engineered to absorb the loads of the keel and rig and also provide athwartship support. Chainplate tie rods that can be seen in the saloon are connected to this structural member. The ballast is externally fastened with stainless steel bolts that can be accessed from a small sump area in the saloon. Catalina offers a five-year warranty against blisters and structural hull damage.

The cockpit of the 390 is functional and comfortable. Unlike other production builders, Catalina has not abandoned the bridgedeck. This raised section is an important safety feature in heavy weather and keeps errant waves from slopping into the cabin. The cockpit seats are long enough to stretch out on and offer good lumbar support when seated. A large drop-leaf centerline table is perfect for cockpit dinners. There are four storage lockers of various sizes and a dedicated locker for the propane canisters. The aft cabin hatches also open into the cockpit for much needed ventilation below. The stern pulpit houses two rail seats, and the swim step includes a hot-and-cold water shower and a couple of storage lockers.

On deck
Catalina’s typical low profile cabintrunk translates into excellent visibility from the helm, even with a spray dodger in place. Leaning outboard, the 40-inch Edson Destroyer wheel is easily reached, as are the self-tailing Lewmar sheet winches. All sail controls are led aft to a series of clutches on the cabintrunk. The test boat was well outfitted with Garhauer deck gear including a mainsheet traveler system that could be adjusted through the dodger. The 390 features midboom sheeting; indeed, the traveler is forward of the companionway and the sheet is actually forward of the boom midpoint. As much as I appreciate keeping the cockpit free of the mainsheet clutter, the load on the boom is accentuated when the wind pipes up.

Our test boat was also fitted with a Schaefer roller-furling headsail system and a Charleston Spars furling mast. The latter is a $3,100 option. I have learned to acknowledge the advantages of furling main