I am looking at this Catalina 38 (1985) model.Can anyone out there tell me if there were any problems with this model,are they a good rough weather/oceanic boat.Is the Kubota engine reliable.What specifics should I be looking at regarding wear and tear.Was the dock bonded and bolted on this model.All information would be greatfully taken on board.
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Cat 38
We are taking ours to the Panama Canal in November 2002 from Los Angeles and up to Florida from there. Our neighbor's has been to Hawaii and the South Pacific and has survived the "Queen's Birthday Storm". In the words of my rigger "built like a brick shithouse, with a bulletproof rig". Our experience only runs up to 30kt winds and 10ft seas, pull a little sail down and she can be sailed comfortably. She is great at sailing to windward. The only problem I see is the lack of space for water and fuel storage. The good news is they are great sailing boats (did I say that already?) and you shouldn't need that much fuel. Our deck joint is thru bolted and bonded with? They have been known to leak, but can be repaired. The chainplates have been known to leak too, so check the bulkheads for rot, and keep them caulked. Check the keel bolts for corrosion and leaks, we are having our hull to keel joint glassed over this next haulout. Our boat is a 1979 model, hull #12 so the engine is an A-4(gas) and I can't comment on the Kubota. The biggest maintenance problem we have had is the lack of care from the previous owners. Enjoy
We are taking ours to the Panama Canal in November 2002 from Los Angeles and up to Florida from there. Our neighbor's has been to Hawaii and the South Pacific and has survived the "Queen's Birthday Storm". In the words of my rigger "built like a brick shithouse, with a bulletproof rig". Our experience only runs up to 30kt winds and 10ft seas, pull a little sail down and she can be sailed comfortably. She is great at sailing to windward. The only problem I see is the lack of space for water and fuel storage. The good news is they are great sailing boats (did I say that already?) and you shouldn't need that much fuel. Our deck joint is thru bolted and bonded with? They have been known to leak, but can be repaired. The chainplates have been known to leak too, so check the bulkheads for rot, and keep them caulked. Check the keel bolts for corrosion and leaks, we are having our hull to keel joint glassed over this next haulout. Our boat is a 1979 model, hull #12 so the engine is an A-4(gas) and I can't comment on the Kubota. The biggest maintenance problem we have had is the lack of care from the previous owners. Enjoy
Good Boat
I second what Rod has said and I've been out in 35+ 10 to 12's or who knows after 24 hrs they all look the same.. Reef her down and roll up a little headsail and she will give you a great ride. The engine is very solid, good on fuel, doesn't need much except a few filters and an oil change. Oh yea, leaks the usual chalking required
My hull to deck joint hasn't leaked to my knowledge. You can check out the spec's and history of the boat here http://www.catalina38.org/ Good Luck Mike WD9EOU C-38 #169 Chute the Breeze Michigan City, IN USA
I second what Rod has said and I've been out in 35+ 10 to 12's or who knows after 24 hrs they all look the same.. Reef her down and roll up a little headsail and she will give you a great ride. The engine is very solid, good on fuel, doesn't need much except a few filters and an oil change. Oh yea, leaks the usual chalking required
My hull to deck joint hasn't leaked to my knowledge. You can check out the spec's and history of the boat here http://www.catalina38.org/ Good Luck Mike WD9EOU C-38 #169 Chute the Breeze Michigan City, IN USACatalina 38 Stuff
I've had my 38 for two years now, and she is everything I would want in a coastal performance cruiser. I taken her to Catalina Island three times in winds about 25k and 6-10 foot seas, and she rides very well and not too wet. I had a great 27 foot race boat for many years that was like driving a Porcshe (I know I have an '82), and the 38 for a big boat is just plan fun to sail compared to other boats her size. As said before, water and fuel tankage is limited, but when I go to Mexico, I plan to sail most of the time with a A-chute and a conventional chute downwind, and use the engine only in very light air. I'm also going to put a big roach main on the boat for light air, and one of the reefs will be a small tuck for upwind work so the leech will clear the backstay. The engine is pretty bullet proof if you maintain it. I change the oil every 50 hours with filter. Fuel filters every 100. Use good fuel, have the tank and fuel polished every couple of years. Check engine mounts for wear, and lag screw tightness, and any failures in the engine bedding frame. I have a couple of leaks I'm chasing down, but nothing severe. WHEN you buy the boat, join the National 38 Association, to keep in touch with other 38 owners, and also look at the owners list on this web site. Enjoy, Keith sanguyne, hull no. 174
I've had my 38 for two years now, and she is everything I would want in a coastal performance cruiser. I taken her to Catalina Island three times in winds about 25k and 6-10 foot seas, and she rides very well and not too wet. I had a great 27 foot race boat for many years that was like driving a Porcshe (I know I have an '82), and the 38 for a big boat is just plan fun to sail compared to other boats her size. As said before, water and fuel tankage is limited, but when I go to Mexico, I plan to sail most of the time with a A-chute and a conventional chute downwind, and use the engine only in very light air. I'm also going to put a big roach main on the boat for light air, and one of the reefs will be a small tuck for upwind work so the leech will clear the backstay. The engine is pretty bullet proof if you maintain it. I change the oil every 50 hours with filter. Fuel filters every 100. Use good fuel, have the tank and fuel polished every couple of years. Check engine mounts for wear, and lag screw tightness, and any failures in the engine bedding frame. I have a couple of leaks I'm chasing down, but nothing severe. WHEN you buy the boat, join the National 38 Association, to keep in touch with other 38 owners, and also look at the owners list on this web site. Enjoy, Keith sanguyne, hull no. 174
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