Catalina 320 and 309 length confusion/mistake

New Information, Corrections, Omissions
#1

Catalina used two different measurements for length these later boats. LOH - Length of Hull and LOA. I’m guessing the LOA includes the built-in swim platform.

As things are currently shown on the site, the 309 actually appears longer than the 320.

309
LOA: 32.75 (shown on this site)
LOH: 31.0

320:
LOA: 34.25
LOH: 32.5 (shown on this site)

At minimum, the 320 and 320 mk II should be adjusted to the correct LOA. And maybe both values should be shown?

Here’s a brochure showing the lengths on the 320:

https://pdf.nauticexpo.com/pdf/catalina-yachts/catalina-320/20130-1756-_4.html

P.S. Sorry for the possibly confusing username, but I can’t seem to change it.

#2

The Catalina 400 has the same issue.

It’s shown on the site as 40.5 LOA which is the LOH, but the actual LOA is 41.5

#3

I’ve done some more research. I think it’s likely that Catalina’s LOA includes the bow pulpit.

If true, the 309 should be corrected down to just 31’ and the rest of the Catalinas are correct.

#4

At one time LOA and LOD were interchangeable. This is from Ted Brewer’s website:

Different designers and builders have different ways of expressing Length. Length On Deck (LOD) is the true length, omitting rail overhangs, and is the honest way to describe the length of a boat. More usually, you will see it as Length Over All (LOA) which may be the LOD if the builder is honest but often includes rail overhangs, anchor sprits, bowsprits and even boomkins if the builder is trying to sell a “larger” boat.

Over the past 20 years or so, it has become commonplace for LOA to include bowsprits, etc. and for builders to report a separate LOD.

This seems to have happened with regard to the Catalina 320. An early (1998) brochure lists the LOA as 32’6".

cat_320
cat_320612×785 122 KB

All this said, and in order to avoid further confusion, we have updated the records and have included LOD separately in the Notes section.

Thanks for the heads-up!

#5

Thanks. I love the site and refer to it constantly.

I’m not sure whether or not the bow pulpit should count in terms of the LOA for the 320, but at least the 309 no longer appears longer than the 32’ boat. :smile: