Class CHeavy displacementCruiser/Racer

Catalina 38

Catalina Yachts · Butler/S & S · 1977

Updated

Measured under the previous VPP (2021–2024)

The Catalina 38 is a 11.60 m heavy displacement racing yacht designed by Butler/S & S and built by Catalina Yachts, first launched in 1977. It races in Class C.

Catalina 38 - Butler/S & S - Catalina YachtsP 13.41 mLOA 11.60 m

Length

11.60 m

38′ 1″

Beam

3.55 m

Draft

2.08 m

Displacement

7.2 t

Sail area

81 m²

No boat of this design has been measured under the current VPP. The figures below come from measurement records issued between 2021 and 2024, on the earlier scale, so this design carries no Race Edge.

On the podium

Where a Catalina 38 finishes when she goes racing.

Not enough data yet to show how this design finishes. It has not been found in the race results we have collected so far.

Recent regattas

The latest events where a Catalina 38 was on the start line, named as the organisers publish them.

No regattas found yet.

Raced one we are missing?

Report a regatta

Round the buoys, or offshore

A short windward-leeward and a night at sea ask different things of a boat. Here is how this one does in each.

Round the buoys

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Not enough data yet: no races of 10 NM or less carry a published distance.

Offshore & coastal

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Not enough data yet: no races over 10 NM carry a published distance.

Who she races against

The designs a Catalina 38 actually lines up with, most often first. The bar shows how those meetings ended.

Not enough data yet to say who this design races against. No result we have collected puts it on the water beside another design we track.

Speed at every angle

The shape of this design's speed, drawn from the measured fleet. Pick a wind and watch it stretch.

36930°60°90°120°150°WIND8.9

Upwind VMG

5.16

37°

Beam reach

7.95

90°

Broad reach

8.87

135°

Downwind VMG

7.54

170°

Speed in knots at 20 knots of true wind. Green marks the angles that pay: the closest useful beat and the deepest run worth sailing.

How fast is a Catalina 38

Boat speed in knots, by true wind angle and wind strength.

Angle6 kn10 kn14 kn20 kn
Beat VMG4.014.805.045.16
52°5.946.807.017.12
60°6.186.947.177.31
75°6.317.077.407.62
90°6.247.137.507.95
110°6.387.327.838.39
120°6.257.277.928.82
135°5.747.047.718.87
150°5.006.467.108.01
Run VMG4.335.596.427.54

How they are set up

The range each sail spans across the fleet.

Mainsail29 m²
Headsail34 m² – 54 m²
Gennaker106 m² – 108 m²

Nearly all carry a folding propeller. A bowsprit is standard across the fleet. Crew weight is declared around 610 kg.

Rigging

Catalina 38 rig and sail dimensions

A Catalina 38 carries 13.41 m of mainsail hoist on a 3.53 m boom, a forestay 15.20 m above the deck and a 5.03 m bowsprit. Typical figures across the 4 boats measured under the current VPP, with the range each one spans.

Rig

Mainsail hoistP13.41 m13.41 – 13.41
Boom lengthE3.53 m3.51 – 3.55
Forestay heightIG15.20 m15.14 – 15.25
Fore triangle baseJ4.72 m4.72 – 4.72
Spinnaker hoistISP15.20 m15.14 – 15.25
BowspritTPS5.03 m4.82 – 5.09
Boom above deckBAS1.43 m1.40 – 1.46

Sails

Mainsail28.8 m²28.6 – 29.1
Headsail52.4 m²33.6 – 53.5
Gennaker107.7 m²105.9 – 107.7