The Catalina Yachts Catalina 355 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2011 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1987 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1987 measures 38,6 feet overall (1987), giving it roughly 3,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Catalina Yachts Catalina 355 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2011 at 35,4 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1987 tips the scales at 19 473 lbs — 5 692 lbs less than the Catalina Yachts Catalina 355 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2011 at 13 781 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 29 hp for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 355 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2011 and 42 hp for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1987. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1987 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Catalina Yachts Catalina 355 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2011 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1987 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1987 displaces 19 473 lbs — a 5 692-lb difference over the Catalina Yachts Catalina 355 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2011 at 13 781 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 6,7 ft and 7,0 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Catalina Yachts Catalina 355 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2011 uses Sloop rigging. For auxiliary power the Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1987 carries a 42-hp engine against 29 hp on the Catalina Yachts Catalina 355 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2011. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
Hull speed is rated at 7,7 knots for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1987 and 7,4 knots for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 355 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2011.
Bottom line: The Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1987 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 19 473 lbs displacement and 39 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 355 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2011 at 13 781 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.