Catalina 310
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About the Catalina 310
Designed by Gerry Douglas and produced by Catalina Yachts from 1999 to 2011, this popular 31-footer represents a sweet spot in the coastal cruising market. The 310's fin keel with bulb and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling while maintaining good stability for extended cruising adventures. With a displacement of 10,300 pounds and 4,000 pounds of ballast, the boat strikes an excellent balance between performance and comfort. The moderate sail area of 493 square feet and SA/Displacement ratio of 16.72 provide spirited sailing in light to moderate conditions without being overpowering for short-handed crews. The comfortable 22.1 comfort ratio and favorable 2.12 capsize screening value make this an ideal platform for coastal exploration and weekend getaways. Built with Catalina's trademark quality fiberglass construction, the 310 features a masthead sloop rig that's straightforward to handle. The generous 11.50-foot beam creates a roomy interior while the 5.75-foot draft allows access to most harbors and anchorages. Douglas's design philosophy emphasizes practical sailing characteristics over racing performance, making this boat particularly appealing to cruising couples and families seeking reliable coastal adventures with occasional offshore capability.
Market Price Estimate
Beta
$54,900 – $55,000
typical asking price
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
- Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
- Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
- Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
- Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
- Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
- Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall)
31.00 ft / 9.45 m
LWL (Waterline Length)
26.50 ft / 8.08 m
Beam
11.50 ft / 3.51 m
Max Draft
5.75 ft / 1.75 m
Displacement
10,300.00 lb / 4,672 kg
Ballast
4,000.00 lb / 1,814 kg
Ballast Type
Lead
Sail Area (Reported)
493.00 ft² / 45.80 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type
Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type
Masthead Sloop
Construction
FG
Designer
Gerry Douglas
Builder
Catalina Yachts (USA)
First Built
1999
Last Built
2011
Associations
Catalina 310 Owners Association
Related Sailboats
Hanse 315 2006 · Cr 310 · First 31.7 Beneteau · Oceanis 311 Beneteau · Island Packet 31
Owner Reviews
No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.
Known Issues & What to Watch For
The lead bulb keel is attached to the fin with keel bolts that are known to weep and show rust staining at the hull-keel joint. The joint should be carefully inspected for cracking, separation, or rust streaks indicating bolt corrosion, as rebedding or bolt replacement is a significant repair.
The deck hardware on early 310s was often bedded with inadequate sealant at chainplates and stanchion bases, leading to persistent deck leaks that can saturate the balsa core in the deck. Tap-testing around these fittings and chainplate areas is essential.
1999–2004 models
The balsa-cored deck is vulnerable to water intrusion around any deck penetration. Soft spots are commonly found around the mast partner, winch bases, and cleat mounts where original bedding has failed over time.
The chainplate backing plates on the 310 are relatively small and can work loose over time, and the chainplates pass through the deck with a cover plate that frequently allows water ingress into the liner cavity, making inspection of the backing structure difficult without removing interior trim.
The Universal M25XPB diesel commonly fitted to these boats has a known raw water impeller housing that is difficult to access, leading to deferred maintenance and overheating damage. Inspect the raw water cooling system carefully for signs of overheating history.
The engine mounts on the 310 are prone to deterioration and the engine compartment access is tight, making regular inspection and replacement of mounts difficult. Worn mounts can lead to alignment problems with the shaft and cutlass bearing wear.
The rudder on the 310 uses a fiberglass blade over a stainless steel armature. The welds on the internal rudder post armature can crack, and if water enters the blade through gelcoat cracks, internal corrosion of the armature can cause structural failure of the rudder.
The tabbed-in interior liner is bonded to the hull and can develop loose or cracked tabbing, particularly in the forward cabin and along the settee bases, due to hull flex. These areas are often cosmetically covered and require careful inspection.
The 310's DC wiring runs are often difficult to trace due to the molded liner, and original wire gauging and connections at the distribution panel have been reported as marginal by surveyors. Corrosion at the bus bar and undersized runs to some circuits are worth verifying.
Own or have surveyed a Catalina 310? Submit a known issue
Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating
PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
177
SA/Displacement
Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
16.72
Ballast/Displacement
Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
38.83
Displacement/Length
Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
247.09
Comfort Ratio
Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
22.1
Capsize Screening Formula
The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.12
Hull Speed
Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions.
6.90 kn
S# (Speed Number)
The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
2.18
Pounds/Inch Immersion
Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline.
1,088.91 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc)
Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure.
16.73
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height)
42.75 ft / 13.03 m
J (Foretriangle Base)
11.75 ft / 3.58 m
P (Mainsail Luff)
37.25 ft / 11.35 m
E (Mainsail Foot)
13.00 ft / 3.96 m
SA Fore
251.16 ft² / 23.33 m²
SA Main
242.13 ft² / 22.49 m²
SA Total (100%)
493.29 ft² / 45.83 m²
Est. Forestay Length
44.34 ft / 13.51 m
Mast Height (DWL)
46.75 ft / 14.25 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make
Universal
Engine Model
M25XP
Engine Type
Diesel
Horsepower
26
Fuel Capacity
27 gals / 102 L
Water Capacity
55 gals / 208 L
How It Compares
vs. Cr 310, First 31.7 Beneteau, Hanse 315 2006, Island Packet 31, Oceanis 311 Beneteau
This boat
Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Catalina 310 ★
Cr 310
First 31.7 Beneteau
Hanse 315 2006
Island Packet 31
Oceanis 311 Beneteau
LWL
Catalina 310 ★
Cr 310
First 31.7 Beneteau
Hanse 315 2006
Island Packet 31
Oceanis 311 Beneteau
Beam
Catalina 310 ★
Cr 310
First 31.7 Beneteau
Hanse 315 2006
Island Packet 31
Oceanis 311 Beneteau
Displacement
Catalina 310 ★
Cr 310
First 31.7 Beneteau
Hanse 315 2006
Island Packet 31
Oceanis 311 Beneteau
Ballast
Catalina 310 ★
Cr 310
First 31.7 Beneteau
Hanse 315 2006
Island Packet 31
Oceanis 311 Beneteau
Sail Area
Catalina 310 ★
Cr 310
First 31.7 Beneteau
Hanse 315 2006
Island Packet 31
Oceanis 311 Beneteau
Performance
PHRF Rating
(lower = faster)
Catalina 310 ★
Cr 310
First 31.7 Beneteau
Hanse 315 2006
Island Packet 31
Oceanis 311 Beneteau
SA / Displacement
(higher = more powerful)
Catalina 310 ★
Cr 310
First 31.7 Beneteau
Hanse 315 2006
Island Packet 31
Oceanis 311 Beneteau
Ballast / Disp
(higher = stiffer)
Catalina 310 ★
Cr 310
First 31.7 Beneteau
Hanse 315 2006
Island Packet 31
Oceanis 311 Beneteau
Comfort Ratio
(higher = more comfortable offshore)
Catalina 310 ★
Cr 310
First 31.7 Beneteau
Hanse 315 2006
Island Packet 31
Oceanis 311 Beneteau
Capsize Screening
(lower = safer)
Catalina 310 ★
Cr 310
First 31.7 Beneteau
Hanse 315 2006
Island Packet 31
Oceanis 311 Beneteau
Displacement / Length
(lower = lighter)
Catalina 310 ★
Cr 310
First 31.7 Beneteau
Hanse 315 2006
Island Packet 31
Oceanis 311 Beneteau
Hull Speed
Catalina 310 ★
Cr 310
First 31.7 Beneteau
Hanse 315 2006
Island Packet 31
Oceanis 311 Beneteau
Speed Number
(higher = faster)
Catalina 310 ★
Cr 310
First 31.7 Beneteau
Hanse 315 2006
Island Packet 31
Oceanis 311 Beneteau
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