Catalina built 366 boats over 14 years. In 1980, the Catalina 38 was selected for the prestigious Congressional Cup, a nod to its racing roots.
Design and Construction
Butler retained the raceboat’s long overhangs, generous tumblehome, and pert little reverse transom. He redesigned the deck and trunk cabin to match Catalina aesthetics. Those changes produced narrow side decks—a trade-off against the otherwise flowing hull lines.
Below, the major interior components are incorporated into a molded hull liner. The keel-stepped mast abuts the bulkhead forward of the main saloon. The Yankee’s skeg-hung rudder was replaced by a balanced spade rudder.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The rig was reworked into a high-aspect-ratio layout with a taller mast and shorter boom. Together with the spade rudder, it gives the Catalina 38 a distinct feel at the helm.
Owners report that the boat sails to windward as if it’s on rails and also performs beautifully in light air—a combination that belies its IOR ancestry. With a draft approaching 7 feet, it’s no shoal-draft cruiser. Still, its raceboat lineage produced a boat that many sailors find rewarding to handle.
Accommodations
The interior was redesigned for weekending rather than stripped-out racing. Teak trim and veneer appear on the doors, drawer facings, and bulkheads. Early models had a fiberglass cabin sole, while later boats received a teak-and-holly veneer sole.
Forward of the main bulkhead, the head is to port and lockers are to starboard. The V-berth easily accommodates two adults. In the saloon, a U-shaped dinette to port converts into a double berth, while a long settee to starboard provides stowage behind and beneath it.
Aft of the dinette is a snug U-shaped galley. The navigation station backs onto a quarter berth that extends beneath the cockpit.
Engines and Cruising Limitations
Very early Catalina 38s carried an Atomic 4 gasoline engine, though many of those engines have been replaced. Later boats fitted with the 24-horsepower Universal diesel reportedly lack enough power to drive the boat at hull speed in moderate wind and chop. Engine access is adequate.
Owners planning longer cruises may also find the tankage limiting. Movement from the cockpit to the foredeck can be tricky, especially with a wide dodger fitted, because of the narrow side decks.
Refits and Ownership
Catalina remains in business and provides design and parts support. That’s a meaningful advantage for owners trying to source liner components or deck hardware.
Owners praise the Catalina 38’s design, build quality, and performance. Its molded liner also keeps interior refits coherent across the production run. One visible production change is the move from fiberglass cabin soles to teak-and-holly veneer in later hulls, which can help a buyer date a boat.
The Verdict
The Catalina 38 is a rare combination: a genuine IOR racer retuned for weekending without losing its edge. It sails with unusual precision for a production cruiser, while the molded liner and continued builder support make ownership more manageable.
The narrow side decks and modest tankage are real compromises. Later boats’ 24-horsepower Universal diesel may also struggle in moderate wind and chop. Even so, the boat’s character survives those limitations.
Pros
- Sails to windward with remarkable grip and performs well in light air
- IOR-derived hull with a balanced spade rudder and high-aspect rig
- Molded hull liner and continued builder parts support
- Teak-finished interior redesigned for livability
Cons
- Narrow side decks make foredeck passage tricky with a wide dodger
- Tankage may be limiting for extended cruising
- Later 24-horsepower Universal diesel reportedly struggles to reach hull speed in moderate wind and chop
