Catalina 380 Buyer's Guide
The Catalina 380, designed by Gerry Douglas and introduced in 1996, earned Cruising World's "Mid-Size Cruiser of the Year" at launch and has maintained its market standing ever since. It was built to fill the gap between the Catalina 36 and the flagship 42 — to provide 40-foot interior volume in a 38-foot hull. That concept was executed specifically around an aft owner's cabin with an island queen berth and a dedicated walk-in stall shower, features that were distinctly uncommon in production boats at this length when the 380 debuted. The model also exists as the Catalina 390, which uses the same hull with a three-cabin interior mold; buyers seeking additional guest berths should compare both configurations directly.
What Brokers Highlight
The aft stateroom is the story. A centerline island queen berth with walk-around access is what brokers lead with in almost every listing — and correctly, because it is genuinely exceptional for a 38-foot boat. The dedicated walk-in stall shower with acrylic doors in the single-head layout eliminates the wet-head problem that plagues comparable boats and is called out as a significant comfort differentiator.
The mid-ships navigation station with a dedicated swivel chair is highlighted as a practical feature for offshore-oriented buyers. Nine opening hatches, a proper nav station, varnished teak joinery, and lead keel construction position the 380 as a boat that was designed for more than marina living.
Brokers consistently note the Garhauer stainless rigid boom vang and low-profile coachroof-mounted mainsheet traveler as contributors to excellent helm visibility — a practical advantage over cockpit-mounted travelers that obstruct sightlines. Shoal-draft wing keel (4'10"–5'0") listings dominate the East Coast and Bahamas market; fin keel with bulb (5'4") appears in listings targeting sailors who prioritize pointing ability.
Electrical upgrades mark the premium tier: Xantrex 2000W inverter/chargers, Balmar 120A alternators with ARS-5 regulators, reverse-cycle AC (16,500 BTU Mermaid or similar), and solar arrays on rear arch davit systems. Westerbeke 40 and Yanmar 3JH3BE (38hp) are the standard engines; repowered Yanmar 4JH4AE (54hp) installations are called out as meaningful performance upgrades. Freshwater-only boats from Great Lakes sellers command premiums in saltwater-heavy markets.
What to Look For When Buying
The "Catalina Smile" at the keel-to-hull joint is the universal Catalina fleet concern. Keel bolt torque should be verified during survey; rake out and replace old sealant if the crack shows signs of moisture infiltration. Structural separation is rare but not impossible on high-hour boats.
Rudder moisture is a predictable concern on the spade rudder. The foam-cored fiberglass construction can absorb water over time. A weeping rudder during haulout is a high-signal indicator of core saturation and potential corrosion of the internal stainless armature. A moisture meter reading during survey is essential.
Deck hardware bedding around stanchion bases, the windlass, and other high-load deck fittings should be checked carefully. The 380 uses a balsa-cored deck, and improperly bedded hardware is the standard entry point for moisture. Tap the deck in these areas and run a moisture meter sweep during survey.
Wiring and panel condition: early 380s may have original factory wiring that is approaching the end of its service life. Check for owner-added electronics that bypassed the main DC panel, and inspect the shore power inlet for thermal damage — a common indicator of overloaded original wiring.
What Drives Pricing
Supply is moderate and prices have been stable. The 380 occupies a legitimate sweet spot — not the most abundant Catalina (that's the 36), but common enough to maintain a reliable secondary market with good parts and technical support. The Catalina 380 International Association and Mainsheet Magazine provide owner resources that translate directly into lower maintenance costs for buyers who engage with them.
Compared to the Catalina 36 and Catalina 350, the 380 commands a premium based on the aft stateroom island berth and the additional 2–3 feet of waterline length. Against the Hunter 380 and Lagoon 380 (monohull buyer context), it competes on the strength of its Gerry Douglas construction standards and the brand's parts support infrastructure.
The Bottom Line
The Catalina 380 is what happens when Gerry Douglas applies the "big boat features in a smaller hull" philosophy to a 38-footer with genuine seriousness. The island queen berth in the aft stateroom and the walk-in stall shower are real differentiators, not marketing — they hold up at sea as well as at the dock. Weather helm in a breeze requires early reefing, and the cockpit can feel crowded with a full crew. For a couple who wants a coastal cruiser that will still be comfortable five years into regular use, the 380 is one of the best-executed designs Catalina produced.
Price & volume trends
Median asking price and monthly listing volume for the Catalina 380. The line reads as the median ask for each month; bars are raw monthly listing counts.
Monthly breakdown · 13 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. prior mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 25 | 1 | $ 99,000 | — |
| May 25 | 3 | $ 82,000 | -17.2% |
| Jun 25 | 2 | $ 99,500 | +21.3% |
| Jul 25 | 2 | $ 91,250 | -8.3% |
| Aug 25 | 1 | $ 59,900 | -34.4% |
| Sep 25 | 10 | $ 95,750 | +59.8% |
| Oct 25 | 6 | $ 112,000 | +17.0% |
| Nov 25 | 1 | $ 106,000 | -5.4% |
| Jan 26 | 13 | $ 89,900 | -15.2% |
| Feb 26 | 2 | $ 89,950 | +0.1% |
| Mar 26 | 7 | $ 39,500 | -56.1% |
| Apr 26 | 17 | $ 85,000 | +115.2% |
| May 26 | 8 | $ 100,694 | +18.5% |
Where they're listed
Catalina 380 listings span 3 countries. United States leads with 63 listings (96.9%), followed by Australia and Canada.
Country breakdown
65 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $ 92,500 | 63 | 24 | 96.9% |
| Australia | $ 99,980 | 1 | 1 | 1.5% |
| Canada | $ 100,354 | 1 | 1 | 1.5% |
Comparable models
Similar length overall, displacement, and era. Click a row to jump to that model's market page.
Peer cross-shop
11 designs · same segment| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lagoon 380 | 37.89' | $ 225,000 | 366 | 177 |
| Catalina 30 | 29.92' | $ 15,900 | 197 | 72 |
| Catalina 36 | 36.33' | $ 35,950 | 178 | 65 |
| Catalina 34 | 34.5' | $ 34,500 | 131 | 64 |
| Catalina 350 | 35.42' | $ 98,776 | 128 | 34 |
| Catalina 380You are here | — | $ 92,500 | 69 | 30 |
| Hunter 380 | 37.25' | $ 78,500 | 61 | 26 |
| Catalina 400 | 40.5' | $ 99,000 | 47 | 13 |
| Catalina 387 | 39.83' | $ 130,134 | 30 | 12 |
| Catalina 385 | 39.16' | $ 259,000 | 26 | 8 |
| Catalina Morgan 38 | 38.42' | $ 74,900 | 9 | 1 |