Catalina Morgan 38?

[neil1967]

Has anyone any first hand knowledge of the Catalina Morgan 38? I am going to look at a 1994 model with a view to using it as a warm water liveaboard, with possible aspirations to circumnavigation. The accommodation appears excellent, but I'm not sure about build quality and sea keeping. It has a reasonable ballast ratio - around 39% - but is fairly light at around 7800Kg. How would it compare with say a mid 90's moody 38 or equivalent westerly?

Regards

Neil

 

[Bajansailor]

The Forum member Lizzie B has a Catalina 38 - http://www.ybw.com/forums/member.php?u=5243 - but he has not logged in to the Forum since January.
Might be worth sending him a PM?

He mentions an Owner's website - www.catalina38.org
I presume that Morgan Yachts later took over building the Catalina 38s?
They certainly are very attractive boats, and no doubt they sail well.
And any vessel designed by Sparkman and Stephens should have good sea keeping, with a comfortable motion.

I would hazard a guess that a Catalina 38 would probably beat the sailing pants off a similar sized Moody or Westerly quite happily (Jonic, over to you! )

 

[Salty John]

Don't confuse the Catalina 38 with the Catalina Morgan 38 - or Moragalina 38 as they are sometimes known. The Catalina 38 is an earlier boat - late 70's early 80's I think - and is an excellent cruiser/racer, not dissimilar to the Swan 38 of the same era.
The Morgalina is an altogether different animal, first built in the early 90's with centre cockpit, voluminous interior and perhaps aimed at the charter fleet market. I've never sailed one but I've seen a few. Not something I'd choose, but others may like the vast interior and airy feeling. I'd be a bit concerned about light build and, maybe, dubious heavy weather capabilty - it depends on the planned usage of the boat.
There may have been an aft cockpit version, and I'm sure there will be several keel options.

 

[robp]

If you have Googled, you probably already found this: http://morgan38.org/origM38/messages/102.html

I had a 1995 Catalina 36MKII which is apparently comparable but aft cockpit. (LOA 37.6"). It is a well built boat in my opinion and I would say comparable with either Westerly or Moody of that era.

 

[neil1967]

Thanks Robp - I hadn't found that thread. Looking at her on Monday - she looks to be good value (advertised at £70k) for a relatively new boat, with lots of toys.

Neil

 

[robp]

Thanks Robp - I hadn't found that thread. Looking at her on Monday - she looks to be good value (advertised at £70k) for a relatively new boat, with lots of toys.

Neil

Good medium sized liveaboard I'd have thought, with such toys as a 2kW automatic inverter, auto gas shut off etc.

Good luck.

 

[bosun1]

Hi. I have owned a Catalina Morgan 38 for the last 7+ yrs. Have cruised extensivly in Uk waters & France and found her to be a excellent vessel, she has shown us exellent sea keeping attributes. They are not lightwieght boats so are not the fastest of yachts, but the yanks certainly did not stint on raw materials when they put these boats together. As a direct comparison I am told the Moody is the nearest UK rival the same folk told me the Morgan "ticked more boxes" in the accomodation and appointment depts. We are fans so therefore a bit bias. Hope this helps, Good luck.
P.s. If you want more info P.M. me

 

[Salty John]

They are not lightwieght boats

Whilst not wishing to criticise this boat in any way, I would have to say that at a Displacement/LWL ratio of 185 it is most definitely in the light displacement category.

 

[bosun1]

John/Neil
Just to clarify the manufacturers figures for the Morgan 38 which are 8845kg Disp and 34.83' LWL (wing keel) giving a ratio of 250 ish not 185. As an owner I can guarantee she is no lightweight.
Cheers Nick

 

[neil1967]

Viewed today - PM sent!