Design and Construction
Gerry Douglas, Catalina’s chief designer across four decades, gave the 315 the same structural seriousness found in the larger 5 Series boats. The hull is solid fiberglass below the waterline, while the lead bulb keel carries 3,999 pounds of ballast. That amounts to a 39.2 percent ballast-to-displacement ratio and gives the 10,201-pound yacht a stiff, predictable character.
Forward, the large anchor locker provides more than stowage: its aft side doubles as a collision bulkhead, isolating the forepeak from the main hull. Curved handrails extend strategically forward from the cockpit, giving crew something to grasp while moving around the deck.
The companionway has two closure systems: a hinged folding door for day sailing and traditional washboards for offshore work.
Rig, Sailing, and Power
The 315 is a masthead sloop with a lofty, double-spreader rig and split backstays. A short sprit sets the tack of an asymmetric sail forward of the bow, adding utility and efficiency.
Testers found the boat frisky in light air. With the breeze still below 10 knots, she made 6.8 to 7.0 knots on a tight reach under an easily set asymmetric cruising kite.
Auxiliary power comes from a 21-horsepower Yanmar diesel with direct drive. At 2,800 rpm, the boat topped 7 knots—a useful pace for a 31-foot cruiser.
Cockpit and Accommodations
The cockpit is wide, workable, and ergonomically balanced. Below, the main saloon has an extended settee to starboard. Opposite are a spacious U-shaped settee, dining table, and galley. An aft-facing navigation station is suited to sheltered passage work.
The builder describes the interior as all teak. This finish is part of the 5 Series’ step up in equipment and appointments, which also brought bigger engines, larger battery banks, generous electrical panels, and increased tankage.
Verdict
The Catalina 315 is a compact cruiser built with large-yacht engineering sensibilities. Its collision-bulkhead bow, lead-ballasted stiffness, and thoughtful deck plan reflect Gerry Douglas’s long experience at Catalina. It sails efficiently in light wind with help from an asymmetric sail and powers at a useful clip, while the interior balances a navigation station suited to sheltered passage work with comfortable saloon seating.
Pros
- Fourth and most recent 5 Series design from Gerry Douglas
- Aft wall of the forward anchor locker serves as a collision bulkhead
- Double-spreader sloop rig with split backstays and a sprit for an asymmetric sail
- 6.8–7.0-knot light-air performance under a cruising kite; more than 7 knots under power
- Wide, ergonomic cockpit and dual companionway closures
Cons
- None reported in the reviewed material
