Docking A Catalina 310: A Step-By-Step Guide

The Catalina 310 is a 31-foot sailboat, designed for cruising couples who want the amenities of a 40-foot boat in an easy-to-handle hull. With a spacious cockpit, it comfortably accommodates eight people for cocktails, six for club races, and four for dinner. The boat has a simple, straightforward sloop design with a two-spreader, untapered mast and boom, double lowers, and a solid spring-loaded boom vang. The Catalina 310 is well-suited for short-handed sailing, with all halyards and sail trim lines led aft to sheet stoppers on the cabin top. The boat's performance is described as stiff, with a deep, elliptical spade rudder providing a balanced helm and sensitive handling without being twitchy. The Catalina 310 is powered by a three-cylinder Universal 25XP freshwater-cooled diesel engine, delivering a hull speed of just under 7 knots.

Winches and lines for single-handed sailing

The Catalina 310 is a sailboat designed for short-handed sailing, with a pair of two-speed self-tailing Lewmar 44 winches set aft, within easy reach of the skipper. All the halyards and sail trim lines are led aft to sheet stoppers on the cabin top, making single-handed sailing easier.

The four self-tailing Lewmar winches (two primaries and two on the coachroof) manage the lines, which are all led aft for single-handed sailing. The location of the primary winches for the genoa makes single-handed tacking a breeze.

Some Catalina 310 owners have made modifications to make single-handed sailing even easier. One owner recommends bypassing the cleat for the Genoa furling line and adding a block and cam cleat gizmo that can be attached low on the portside stern rail. This makes adjusting or rolling up the Genoa from behind the wheel much easier. Another useful modification is to have a winch handle mounted about a foot away from the Genoa winches and the mainsheet winch.

The Catalina 310 is designed for an experienced cruising couple and is easily handled by two people. However, it can also accommodate families or groups of friends for day sailing or long weekends. With an open floor plan and ample space, it is a comfortable boat for a couple, with plenty of room for storage and all the amenities of a bigger boat.

Engine and propeller

The Catalina 310 is a 31' boat designed by Gerry Douglas and introduced in 1999. The boat was discontinued in 2008, with over 300 hulls built during its production run.

The Catalina 310 is equipped with a Yanmar 2GM20F engine and a 2.62:1 transmission ratio. The engine is a diesel engine, providing ample power and torque for the boat. It has a displacement of 1930 cc and features two cylinders. The engine is known for its reliability and performance, making it a popular choice among sailors.

The propeller plays a crucial role in the boat's performance and manoeuvrability. The Catalina 310 utilises a three-blade propeller with a 15" x 10" size. This propeller is made of manganese bronze, a durable and corrosion-resistant material. The blades are non-skewed and semi-elliptical, optimising thrust and performance. The blade-to-prop circle ratio is 51%, providing significantly more blade area than a "Sailor Prop". This increased blade area enhances the propeller's ability to generate thrust, making it ideal for navigating through challenging conditions, such as punching to weather in big chops or clawing off a lee shore.

The three-blade propeller offers improved performance under power, especially in rough waters. It also assists in rapidly stopping the boat when entering a slip during windy conditions. However, the trade-off is a slight reduction in performance under sail, resulting in a potential loss of about 1/4 to 1/2 knot.

It is important to monitor engine performance after changing propellers. Overloading the engine can lead to issues such as higher temperatures, smoking, and difficulty reaching full RPM. Therefore, sailors should keep a ship's log to record conditions and engine parameters like sea state, throttle position, RPM, and boat speed. This information will help determine if any adjustments or re-pitching of the propeller are necessary for optimal performance.

Hull shape and design

The Catalina 310 is a "big boat in a small hull", packing the amenities of a 40-foot boat into a 31-foot hull. The hull is designed to be functional and aesthetically appealing, with a canoe hull that is round right up to the bow knuckle just below the waterline. The topsides have a startling amount of flare, and the hull has a fullness forward to provide space for all the amenities. The deckhouse extends well forward of the mast, providing full headroom in the forward cabin. The cockpit is large because that's where people spend most of their time either under sail or at anchor. The cockpit has rounded edges, which is unusual for a Catalina but common for Beneteaus or Hunters.

The Catalina 310 is designed for an experienced cruising couple who want a boat that is easily handled by two people, spacious enough for day sailing with family or friends, and able to accommodate two couples for a long weekend without sacrificing privacy or comfort. The boat has a simple, straightforward sloop design and looks handsome in a lineup at the marina.

The Catalina 310 has a full inner liner that provides a glossy white finish and plenty of brightness. The boat is nicely fitted together, with none of the heavy seams of silicone sealant that many builders use to close awkward gaps. One of the trademarks of Catalina Yachts is its superlative mold work, and the 310 is a fine example of that talent. The galley is located in an L-shaped alcove that puts the cook out of the way but still convenient to both the cockpit and salon. This is the first small Catalina with a standard Adler-Barbour fridge, which has both front and top loading. There's also a gimballed two-burner with an oven (LPG Hillerange), and an optional microwave fits neatly into a locker.

The owner's cabin is forward, and every inch of space has been used to make this a luxurious stateroom. There is an island double berth with access from both sides and a full innerspring mattress. There are pull-out drawers under the berth, as well as cabinets and hanging lockers. A sliding panel in the bulkhead can be lowered to open up the entire cabin from bow to stern. Aft, there is another double berth tucked under the cockpit, which is bright and comfortable without a trace of claustrophobia. The head is divided into two sections: the shower compartment with a head, and the vanity.

The Catalina 310 is a surprisingly stiff boat, due in part to its all-up weight of 10,300 or 10,700 pounds, depending on the keel. The flared topsides allow the boat some initial heel, and then it stiffens up and is a pleasure to sail. The spade rudder is set far aft, and the keel starts at the mast, making the boat sensitive without being twitchy. The full-bodied shape keeps it tracking nicely both upwind and downwind.

Interior layout and features

The Catalina 310 is a 31-foot sailboat designed for a couple, with a spacious interior layout that can also accommodate guests. The boat has a bright and airy main saloon, with large windows letting in plenty of natural light. The galley (kitchen) is well-equipped and features a two-burner stove, a microwave, a refrigerator, and ample storage space. The head (bathroom) is spacious and includes the luxury of a separate shower area, which is unusual for a boat of this size.

The sleeping quarters consist of a large V-berth forward and an aft cabin, providing comfortable accommodation for two couples. The owner's cabin is particularly noteworthy, with an island double berth accessible from both sides and featuring a full innerspring mattress—a significant upgrade from the typical vinyl-covered bunk cushions found on many boats. There is also ample storage in the owner's cabin, with pull-out drawers, cabinets, and hanging lockers.

The dining area is located to port and offers a wrap-around settee with a choice of two tables. One is a smaller cocktail table for day sailing or entertaining, while the other is a full-sized dining table stored in a dedicated rack aft. The boat also includes an optional TV/VCR that can be mounted on a hinged platform to face either the forward cabin or the entire salon through an opening panel.

The interior of the Catalina 310 is described as "unquestionably yachty," with honey-toned teak bulkheads, ceilings, and trim, as well as a teak-and-holly sole. The boat's inner liner provides a glossy white finish and plenty of brightness. The overall fit and finish of the interior are of high quality, with Catalina Yachts' trademark superlative mould work on display.

Sail specifications

The Catalina 310 is a 31'1" (9.49m) cruising sailboat designed by Gerry Douglas and built by Catalina Yachts between 1999 and 2012. It is a small recreational keelboat built predominantly of fibreglass, with wood trim. The boat has a masthead sloop rig, an internally-mounted spade-type rudder and a fixed fin keel.

The Catalina 310 has a light displacement of 10,300 lb (4,672 kg) and carries 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) of ballast. The design has a draft of 5.75 ft (1.75 m) with the standard fin keel fitted and 4.83 ft (1.47 m) with the optional shoal draft wing keel. The wing keel version offers an interesting draft/low centre of gravity/upwind performance trade-off.

The boat is fitted with a Japanese Yanmar 3GM30F diesel engine of 27 hp (20 kW). The fuel tank holds 27 US gallons (100 L) and the freshwater tank has a capacity of 35 US gallons (130 L). The Catalina 310 has a hull speed of 6.9 kn (12.78 km/h).

The sloop Marconi masthead has a sail area of 251.16 ft² (23.33 m²) and a total sail area of 493.29 ft² (45.83 m²). The upwind sail area to displacement ratio is 175 ft²/T16.29 m²/T. The displacement-length ratio (DLR) is obtained by dividing the boat's displacement in tons by the cube of one one-hundredth of the waterline length (in feet). The DLR for the Catalina 310 is indicative of a heavy cruising sailboat.

The Catalina 310 was awarded "2000 - Cruising World - Boat of the Year: Pocket Cruiser" and was included in Sail Magazine's Top 10 sailboats for 2000.

Frequently asked questions