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Catalina 386
Designer: Gerry Douglas  ·  Builder: Catalina Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 2024
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About the Catalina 386

Launching in 2024, this newest addition to Catalina Yachts' lineup represents a modern interpretation of comfortable coastal cruising. Designer Gerry Douglas has crafted a well-balanced 40-footer that prioritizes ease of handling without sacrificing performance, featuring a fractional sloop rig that reduces weather helm and simplifies sail management for shorthanded crews. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling while maintaining the forgiving sailing characteristics Catalina owners expect. With a moderate displacement of 17,800 pounds and 5,200 pounds of ballast, the 386 strikes an appealing balance between stability and performance. The sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 19.01 suggests spirited performance in light to moderate conditions, while the comfort ratio of 24.87 indicates this yacht prioritizes livability over pure racing potential. Built with fiberglass construction and powered by a 40-horsepower engine, the 386 is ideally suited for coastal cruising, weekend getaways, and extended voyages in protected waters. The capsize screening formula of 2.01 suggests reasonable offshore capability for experienced sailors, though the design clearly emphasizes comfort and ease of operation over heavy-weather performance. This makes it an excellent choice for couples or families seeking a manageable yet spacious cruising platform.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.83 ft / 12.14 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 34.42 ft / 10.49 m
Beam 13.08 ft / 3.99 m
Max Draft 6.83 ft / 2.08 m
Displacement 17,800.00 lb / 8,074 kg
Ballast 5,200.00 lb / 2,359 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 807.00 ft² / 74.97 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Gerry Douglas
Builder Catalina Yachts (USA)
First Built 2024
Related Sailboats Catalina 42 · Elan 38 · Catalina 400 · First 41S5 Beneteau · Bavaria 390
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
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
 19.01
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
 29.21
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
 194.87
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
 24.87
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
 2.01
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. 7.86 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
 2.71
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. 1,608.66 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. 16.56
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 50.50 ft / 15.39 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.17 ft / 4.32 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 46.00 ft / 14.02 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
SA Fore 357.79 ft² / 33.24 m²
SA Main 345.00 ft² / 32.05 m²
SA Total (100%) 702.79 ft² / 65.29 m²
Est. Forestay Length 52.45 ft / 15.99 m
Mast Height (DWL) 56.00 ft / 17.07 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Model 3JH40
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 40
Fuel Capacity 38 gals / 144 L
Water Capacity 55 gals / 208 L
LOD 38.17 ft / 11.63 m
How It Compares

vs. Bavaria 390, Catalina 400, Catalina 42, Elan 38, First 41S5 Beneteau

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Catalina 386 ★
39.8 ft
Bavaria 390
39.4 ft
Catalina 400
40.5 ft
Catalina 42
41.9 ft
Elan 38
39.2 ft
First 41S5 Beneteau
41.3 ft
LWL
Catalina 386 ★
34.4 ft
Bavaria 390
34.1 ft
Catalina 400
34.8 ft
Catalina 42
36.0 ft
Elan 38
32.0 ft
First 41S5 Beneteau
33.6 ft
Beam
Catalina 386 ★
13.1 ft
Bavaria 390
13.1 ft
Catalina 400
13.5 ft
Catalina 42
13.8 ft
Elan 38
12.7 ft
First 41S5 Beneteau
12.8 ft
Displacement
Catalina 386 ★
17 lbs
Bavaria 390
17 lbs
Catalina 400
18 lbs
Catalina 42
20 lbs
Elan 38
14 lbs
First 41S5 Beneteau
16 lbs
Ballast
Catalina 386 ★
5 lbs
Bavaria 390
6 lbs
Catalina 400
7 lbs
Catalina 42
8 lbs
Elan 38
—
First 41S5 Beneteau
5 lbs
Sail Area
Catalina 386 ★
807 sq ft
Bavaria 390
720 sq ft
Catalina 400
808 sq ft
Catalina 42
797 sq ft
Elan 38
—
First 41S5 Beneteau
745 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Catalina 386 ★
—
Bavaria 390
—
Catalina 400
102 s/nm
Catalina 42
96 s/nm
Elan 38
—
First 41S5 Beneteau
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Catalina 386 ★
19.0
Bavaria 390
17.0
Catalina 400
18.9
Catalina 42
17.1
Elan 38
—
First 41S5 Beneteau
18.2
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Catalina 386 ★
29.2 %
Bavaria 390
36.3 %
Catalina 400
40.0 %
Catalina 42
40.5 %
Elan 38
—
First 41S5 Beneteau
34.2 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Catalina 386 ★
24.9
Bavaria 390
24.6
Catalina 400
23.8
Catalina 42
25.4
Elan 38
—
First 41S5 Beneteau
24.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Catalina 386 ★
2.01
Bavaria 390
2.02
Catalina 400
2.06
Catalina 42
2.03
Elan 38
—
First 41S5 Beneteau
1.99
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Catalina 386 ★
194
Bavaria 390
198
Catalina 400
190
Catalina 42
196
Elan 38
195
First 41S5 Beneteau
198
Hull Speed
Catalina 386 ★
7.9 kts
Bavaria 390
7.8 kts
Catalina 400
7.9 kts
Catalina 42
8.0 kts
Elan 38
—
First 41S5 Beneteau
7.8 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Catalina 386 ★
2.7
Bavaria 390
—
Catalina 400
3.1
Catalina 42
2.8
Elan 38
—
First 41S5 Beneteau
2.9
Resources & Community
⚓ Class Association International All Catalina Alliance 💬 Owners Forum Owners Forum & Discussion
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