Salona 380 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

At 38 feet 1 inch overall, with a 32-foot 10-inch waterline, the 380 sits in the crowded 38-foot performance-cruiser class. Its proportions and detailing, however, distinguish it from the German and Danish names that dominate the sector.

Design and Construction

Cossutti gave the 380 lines that echo the larger Dehler 42. The Salona carries more overhang, though—a total of 5 feet 3 inches, some of it forward. That bow extension results directly from an elevated forefoot knuckle.

The knuckle sits clear of the water at rest, then immerses under way to lengthen the waterline. This helps the boat gain speed without adding hull length. Viewed from above, the aft sections tuck in. The deck is a wedgelike structure with moderately high freeboard and a dead-straight sheer, punctuated by the obligatory long, rectangular fixed hull ports.

The hull is vacuum-infused, with PVC-cored topsides laid up in vinylester resin. As an extra precaution rarely seen today, the yard applies clear gelcoat below the waterline so the laminate can be inspected visually.

A stainless steel frame bonded inside the hull carries loads from the rig and keel. The builder stresses that this frame contributes to the boat’s structural integrity. It also claims that its attention to detail and scope for customisation have grown substantially. The yard makes the light-oak interior joinery, using solid wood for the drawers, frames, and fiddles throughout.

Rig, Keel, and Sailing Performance

The 380 is a fractional sloop carrying 904 square feet of sail. Its sail-area-displacement ratio is 21.27 with a 100-percent foretriangle.

Two keel options are available, and their drafts are very close: one has a T-bulb, while the other has a flared tip. The choice is therefore more about handling feel than a substantial difference in draft.

Test sailors found the 380 fast, responsive, and fun to sail. Sailing upwind in 18 knots over the deck, Yachting Monthly’s testers recorded nearly 7 knots. The uncluttered deck and cockpit are also well suited to short-handed sailing, keeping manoeuvres manageable for a small crew. Spinnaker halyards remain an optional factory item.

Accommodation

In the standard layout, a large double quarterberth lies to port, with the head and a separate shower stall to starboard. The galley is adequate, although the refrigerator or icebox is pushed outboard, where the tapering hull reduces its useful volume. The navigation station is tight but has enough room for a laptop; it doesn’t provide any stowage for books.

Buyers who choose the three-stateroom layout lose the separate shower stall. A further layout omits both the stall and the third cabin.

The light-oak joinery and solid wood detailing represent a substantial improvement in interior finish over earlier Salonas.

Practical Drawbacks

The flying bow that contributes to the 380’s sailing performance is a mixed blessing under power. At low speed, the immersed knuckle changes the forebody’s behaviour and can make the bow awkward.

Reviewers also noted that the deck needs more nonslip to provide secure footing in lively conditions. Below, the lack of book stowage at the chart table is another practical omission, despite there being room for a laptop.

Verdict

The Salona 380 is a thoughtfully engineered performance cruiser. Its bow geometry lengthens the waterline under way, while the well-executed cockpit and deck layout make it manageable for a short-handed crew. The construction and interior finish show a maturing Croatian yard closing the gap on established German rivals.

A few practical details remain underdeveloped, particularly deck grip, chart-table stowage, and icebox volume. The flying bow also makes the boat more awkward under power.

Pros