Catalina 320 Information, Review, Specs

The Catalina 320 made its debut in February 1993 at the "Sail America" boat show, marking a significant addition to Catalina's ever-expanding lineup. Designed by Gerry Douglas, a key figure in Catalina's in-house design team, the 320 represented a conscious effort to evolve the brand's cruising offerings. A primary design objective was to enhance sailing performance while simultaneously increasing the living areas belowdecks compared to earlier Catalina models. This was achieved, in part, by incorporating a notable difference in the beam at the transom, offering more interior volume and deck space.

In line with Catalina Yachts' established manufacturing ethos, the Catalina 320 features a robust construction method, including a hand-laminated solid fiberglass hull with a blister-resistant gel coat below the waterline, as well as the company's signature five-piece construction that integrates a dedicated structural grid. This commitment to durable construction ensures the boat stands up to real-world conditions. A significant update to the model, the Catalina 320 Mark II, was introduced in October 2006 for the 2007 model year. While retaining the same hull, keel, rig, and sail plan as its predecessor, allowing it to compete in one-design fleets with earlier models, the Mark II aimed to redefine the boat's qualities with a beautifully finished, contemporary interior.

Sailing Performance and Handling

With a length overall of 32.5 feet and a waterline length of 28.0 feet, the Catalina 320 is designed for a balanced sailing experience. It displaces 11,300 pounds and carries 4,000 pounds of lead ballast, offering a ballast-to-displacement ratio of approximately 0.35. This moderate ratio indicates a reasonable degree of stability without being excessively stiff. The displacement-to-length ratio calculates to around 229, placing it squarely in the category of a moderate displacement cruiser – a boat that offers a comfortable motion without sacrificing too much speed.

The Catalina 320 is equipped with a masthead sloop rig, boasting a total calculated sail area of 520.42 square feet. This results in a sail area-to-displacement ratio of approximately 16.5, suggesting the boat is a capable, balanced performer that handles well in a variety of wind conditions, rather than being optimized solely for light air or heavy air. Owners frequently praise the 320 for its ability to sail well and its ease of handling, even for single-handed operation. Its excellent upwind performance and stability are often highlighted, and some owners report achieving speeds of 7.5 knots comfortably under sail or power. The design features a spade rudder for responsive steering and was offered with two keel options: a deeper bulb keel with a 6.0-foot draft for enhanced performance, and a shallower winged keel with a draft of 4.25 feet, providing greater access to shallower anchorages notes].

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Catalina 320 is a key selling point, celebrated for its remarkable roominess and comfortable layout. With a reported maximum headroom of 6 feet 3 inches, the cabin feels open and inviting. The design cleverly foregoes some conventional arrangements to maximize living space and comfort.

The typical layout features a two-cabin arrangement, offering sleeping accommodations for up to six or seven people. Forward, a traditional V-berth provides a comfortable sleeping area. Aft, the cabin features a large athwartship double berth, a hanging locker, and a bureau, offering substantial storage for extended cruising. The main salon is spacious, often featuring a canted galley sink and ample storage throughout. Catalina's commitment to creating comfortable spaces is evident in the general finish quality, which often includes a rich combination of teak accents, contributing to a warm and traditional aesthetic. The layout is particularly popular with families and groups, as it successfully combines easy sailing with significant comfort and space.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Catalina 320 consistently express high satisfaction with their vessels, contributing to a strong and active owner community. Many praise the boat's solid construction and its comfortable motion even in a seaway, attributes that align with Catalina Yachts' overarching design philosophy of building robust, dependable cruisers. The ease of handling, even for those sailing solo, and the secure feeling of managing sails from the cockpit are frequently cited as significant strengths. Owners also appreciate the generous interior volume, which provides ample space for living aboard or extended trips.

However, some common points of discussion or minor issues have emerged over time. Early models of the Catalina 320 were noted for having a shallow bilge, which sometimes resulted in water sloshing around amidships, prompting some owners to retrofit baffles. Additionally, starter problems with the Yanmar engine are not uncommon, though these are often described as basic maintenance items that owners have addressed by re-wiring the starter button to the solenoid. While generally well-regarded, some anecdotal comments suggest the 320 might be considered expensive for its size, and a few owners have expressed a preference for the deeper fin/bulb keel over the shallower wing keel option. The active owner forums and associations serve as valuable resources, providing a wealth of documented solutions and support for these common maintenance tasks.