310 Catalina

For a boat that remained in production just three years there always seems to be a lot of 310 Catalinas spread around the nation’s marinas. Key to her popularity among owners is space—not only is the cockpit large enough for fishing, but the interior is surprisingly open for a 31-footer. The spacious accommodations of the Catalina are the result of moving the deckhouse well forward and trading the convenience of a foredeck for the benefits of more interior space. The lines suffer a little, but the versatile layout of the Catalina can’t be denied. Below, the lack of a fixed bulkhead separating the V-berth from the main cabin adds to the impression of cabin space. Note that the portside settee converts to upper/lower single berths and the dinette converts into a double berth. Visibility from the semi-enclosed lower helm is good, and both seats fold away for access to the engines. Topside, the Catalina’s flybridge is very small—tiny, actually—with seating for two. A hard ride in a chop, twin 250hp gas engines deliver a cruising speed of around 20 knots and a top speed of 26–27 knots. With just 150 gallons of fuel range is limited to coastal and inland cruising.