Design and Construction
The 387’s hull is solid, hand-laid E- and S-glass with vinylester resin. The deck is balsa-cored with solid fiberglass in the zones where fittings are mounted and through-bolted. High-density foam stringers are glassed to the hull, while the ball-and-socket chainplate fittings remain exposed inside, showing how they tie into a load-bearing grid in the hull.
Catalina built all the tooling new for this model except the icebox. The builder also made the working sails in-house rather than buying them from an outside supplier.
On deck, the hardware layout shows a clear effort to keep water out of the structure. The 12-foot genoa tracks are elevated above the deck to keep them clear of standing water, as are the mooring cleats along the rail. Most deck-gear screws tap into metal backing plates bonded into the deck, reducing the number of through-deck holes and potential leak paths. For safety, the mainsheet turning blocks and stanchions are through-bolted.
The lifelines are solidly mounted and higher than standard, and the cabintop grabrail is neatly recessed.
Rig and Handling
Single-point aft and cap shrouds, along with a babystay, support the deck-stepped mast. The chainplates are inboard, keeping them out of the walking path.
Halyards, reefing lines, the outhaul, and the cunningham lead to the cockpit through a sheet-stopper console on the cabintop. Catalina used the same console across its model range. The standard sail plan combines a furling jib with a full-batten mainsail and Dutchman flaking system; in-boom and in-mast furling were optional.
Under sail, test sailors found the 387 very maneuverable during a man-overboard drill. She felt good both upwind and downwind and was judged a satisfying coastal cruiser. As the breeze rose to 18 knots, her speed climbed into the 7s.
Under power, she could turn within her own wake in either direction without the tester touching the throttle. The test boat made 5.8 knots at 2,000 rpm.
Cockpit and Deck Storage
The tester described the cockpit as the largest they knew of on a cruiser this size. Its 9-foot seats could accommodate 14 people sitting or six lounging.
Two storage lockers and two cockpit lockers are accessible from the swim step. A built-in transom bracket holds a dinghy motor securely and below the sightlines.
Accommodations
Below, the saloon runs open from end to end rather than being divided by storage partitions. It has 6 feet 9 inches of headroom, along with several fixed and opening ports for light and ventilation.
Three tables of different sizes provide flexible arrangements in the saloon, and brackets in the aft cabin hold the unused leaves. The interior finish emphasizes durability: high-abrasion areas around doors and cabinetry are solid wood, while the sole is mock teak-and-holly high-density laminate. When not in use, the window shades tuck behind the grabrails.
Wiring and plumbing run through conduits designed for easy access.
The head includes an electric toilet, standard hot-and-cold pressure water, and a separate shower stall. That feature traces its lineage to the original Catalina 380, the first production boat under 40 feet to have one.
Opposite the head, the galley sits at the foot of the companionway. Its arrangement feels sensible and welcoming, with refrigeration accessible from both the top and side, a double sink near the centerline, and a good flow between work surfaces.
Maintenance and Refit Access
Service access is one of the 387’s strengths. The diesel can be reached from all four sides, an arrangement the tester rated as good as it gets. Accessible conduits and bonded backing plates also make later wiring or plumbing changes much less destructive than they would be on boats with buried runs.
The in-mast furling seen on the test boat, along with the in-boom option, shows that the deck was laid out to accept roller systems without rework.
Known Issues
The test record noted one modest operational drawback. When the engine was increased to 2,500 rpm and the tester moved through the interior, some engine noise carried throughout the cabin.
The Verdict
The Catalina 387 is a thoughtfully detailed coastal cruiser that offers more cockpit and cabin space than its length might suggest. The deck hardware is arranged to keep water where it belongs, the interior is open and durable, and her handling under power is forgiving in close quarters.
The only noted drawback is engine noise at higher rpm. A buyer will need to weigh that against the boat’s otherwise easy service access.
Pros
- Exceptionally large cockpit with long seats suited to social cruising
- Elevated, backing-plated deck hardware designed to minimize leak paths
- Open, durable interior with flexible table arrangements
- Separate shower stall and well-placed galley
- Four-sided engine access and organized conduit runs
- Tight maneuvering under power without using the throttle
Cons
- Engine noise noticeable throughout the interior at 2,500 rpm
