FROM A 400 OWNER
Greg: Purchased a 400 last fall and just about to complete commissioning here on the Chesapeake Bay. Chose the 400 over the 380 for really only one reason...the main stateroom overhead. The 380 had (for me) minimal overhead over the centerline bunk and I'd lived with that for 16 years on my Hunter 31. Not again. The 400 has quite a bit more room in the "owners" stateroom, especially overhead. There were other factors, but that was the "biggie." Depending on the type of sailing you are going to do, you may look into the Catalina 42. The cost, believe it or not, is almost the same as the 400 (which is why sales of the 400 are not as great as some other models). Lots of room for a cruising couple and 5 different layout options to choose from. Friends of ours who are liveaboard cruisers swear by their 42. We picked the 400 because that was the very upper end of the size range we were willing to accept and I've been told (but cannot verify yet) the 400 is the best "sailing" yacht in the Catalina fleet. I'll know better once we get her into the water, but I'll be interested in how I fare sailing with our neighboring 470! I don't think you can go wrong with either boat.Good luck and smooth sailing!Tim Leighton (S/V "Magic")