Trade-A-Boat — February 2018

pre-loved

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rig is alloy and the boom is
supported by a hard vang for
easy control. Sturdy chain
plates extend to the hull grid
to give excellent rigidity to
the 387. Elsewhere on deck

• the most important area –
  anchoring is well taken care
  of with an electric windlass
  with Manson anchor (and
  spare CQR) and galvanised
  chain. Other key essentials
  include sizeable cleats,
  including midship ones.

DOUBLE WHAMMY
Two large double cabins
are the signature feature
of the 387 below decks,
with the aft one having en

suite access to the single

central bathroom. In the aft,

headroom is limited by the

cockpit sole but the owner

can enjoy the beam-wide

bed and lounges on each

side, with large wardrobe. Up

front in the V-berth, guests

have a smaller double berth

with equally good wardrobe

and, most importantly, a

large skylight for light and

ventilation.

The saloon layout has

the galley on the aft port

side, with a navigation

station on starboard ahead

of the bathroom. Here, the

lounge has single seats

with coff ee table between,

which can transform into a

comfy bench. Opposite is the

L-shaped dinette with large

table and cream leatherette

upholstery, with all teak

woodwork.

Another bluewater

essential is a well-equipped

galley and the 387 ticks

this box as well, thanks to

double sinks, large fridge

and three-burner gas stove/

oven. This example also has

a microwave which can be

run off the engine. Storage

is another high point with

cupboards and cool box.

The starboard navigation

area has a chart table large

enough for traditional paper

charts and an extensive

bank of control switches on

the bulkhead. The owner

also has fitted a fixed VHF

radio and LCD television/

chartplotter screen.

SOLID HULL

The Catalina 387 has a

traditional solid fibreglass

hull with spade rudder

and this model has the

shoal-water winged lead

keel. Another feature

traditionalists prefer is a

shaftdrive for the 40hp

Yanmar engine. Running the

numbers on the 387 shows

a good ballast:displacement

ratio of 37.4 per cent, which

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