Catalina Yachts 315 (2020-)

Specifications

Length Overall	31' 9.49 m
Beam	11' 3.35 m
Dry Weight	Fin Keel 10,200 lbs. (4,627 kg) Wing Keel 10,600 lbs. (4,808 kg)
Draft	Fin Keel 6' (1.91 m) Wing Keel 4' (1.32 m)
Fuel Capacity	27 gallons 102 L
Water Capacity	41 gallons 155 L

Captain's Report Learn More
Watch Our Video

Editor’s Report by Eric Colby

Brief Summary

The Catalina 315 has the same core attributes as the 445 and 355, only in a smaller, more manageable, more affordable sailboat. An emphasis is placed on good sailing characteristics with a low-profile cabin design and unobstructed visibility from the helm. Belowdecks, she has the warmth and ambience that a teak interior creates.

Features Discussion

Catalina’s 5 Series boats have features that are not found on some much larger sailing yachts, including a watertight StrikeZone collision bulkhead forward and the SecureSocket mast support system that the company says provides superior load resolution and watertight integrity. The DeepDefense rudder system delivers failsafe steering and the T-Beam MastStep structure combines the benefits of a deck-stepped mast and strength of a keel-stepped version.

On Deck. In the 315’s cockpit, wraparound coaming pads enhance the comfort for passengers. The helm seat is removable should the captain prefer to stand while in command. Engine instruments are mounted on an Edson pedestal with a stainless-steel guard and topped with a 5” (12.7 cm) illuminated compass. The steering wheel is a 32” (81.28 cm) stainless steel five-spoke model. An LED light illuminates the cockpit at night. Primary cockpit storage is in a gullwing locker with shelves.

There’s a walk-thru passage to the stern where there’s a boarding platform, a telescopic ladder and a hot-and-cold shower. A molded in LP gas locker has space for a 10-lb. (4.54 kg) tank. Hardware includes double lifelines with gates to port and starboard. Mooring cleats are fore and aft, and there’s a large anchor roller on the foredeck with a molded-in anchor locker that has chain and rode storage below deck. Oversized traveler and winches seas sail handling in all conditions.

Belowdecks. Centrally positioned stairs lead to the accommodations level, which is bathed in shimmering teak that lends a warm, classic sailing ambience. The laminate sole is textured teak and holly, and there’s a dining table. Three fixed ports let in natural light while four opening ports with screens provide ventilation and cross-breezes. The salon has comfortable lounge seating around the dinette table. A navigation station includes a chart desk and the VHF radio, and the electrical distribution panel is alongside.

To starboard in the salon is sofa-style seating and across, a horseshoe-shaped lounge wraps around a hand-varnished teak table. Aft, the galley has solid-surface countertops with a stainless-steel sink, a refrigerator with a freezer compartment, and a two-burner propane stove with automatic ignition.

The Cabins. Catalina separates the accommodations with the traditional raised V-shaped berth in the bow and a private cabin abaft the stairs to the cockpit. Both staterooms have inner-sprung mattresses, storage drawers and hanging lockers. To port, the head has a separate shower stall, which is not something that's always found in a boat of this size.

Sailing Rig Details

Sails are white and coated with UV protection. The 315 has complete standing and running rigging and internal halyards are low-stretch Dacron. The mast has an integrated pvc wiring conduit with messengers and a Selden internal furling system with a double spreader.

Sail handling equipment includes a pair two-speed self-tailing primary winches and dual self-tailing mainsheet/halyard winches. There’s mid-boom sheeting with a multi-purchase traveler and a 10” ball-bearing winch handle. The mainsheet traveler has an adjuster system that leads to the cockpit and the headsail has furling gear. The Boom Vang is a rigid adjustable type and the mainsail has vertical battens.

Construction Details Catalina builds the 315’s hull with a solid fiberglass bottom and structural grid. The deck is also hand-laid and cored with a full fiberglass headliner. The hull bottom is coated in a vinylester barrier coat to resist osmotic blistering and the deck is covered in molded-in nonskid. There’s a Midwatch Blue waterline molded into the gelcoat and graphics include a stripe of the same color plus another in silver. Catalina warrants the hull against gelcoat blistering for 2 years and the structural warranty is 5 years. The lead-fin keel attaches with stainless-steel bolts.

All Catalina Yachts longer than 30 feet are built to CE Category A and American Boat & Yacht Council standards, and they are Yacht Certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

Operational Systems. The 315 is powered by a 3-cylinder 21-hp Yanmar diesel that’s cooled with raw water filtered by a Sea Water Filter system. The fiberglass rudder is hand-laminated and installed with stainless-steel hardware and there’s access to the emergency tiller. There are manual and electric bilge pumps. For plumbing, the boat has a hot and cold pressure water distribution system and a water heater with air conditioning and engine heat.

Taking a look at the electrical system, the 315 comes with two batteries, a selector switch and panel-circuit protection. There’s a battery condition meter, a charger, an anchor light on the masthead and 12-volt lighting throughout the boat. For AC, she has a 110-volt 30-amp shore power cord with dockside outlets, a polarity indicator and circuit protection. There are AC duplex receptacles throughout the boat.

The Dimensions. The 315 measures 31’11” (9.73 m) with an 11’7” (3.53 m) beam. Draft with the fin keel is 6’3” (1.91 m) and 4’4” (1.32 m) with the wing keel. For ballast, the fin keel weighs 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) while the wing is 4,400 lbs. (1,996 kg). Approximate basic weight with the fin keel is 10,200 lbs. (4,627 kg) and 10,600 lbs. (4,808 kg) with the wing. Fuel capacity is 27 gallons (102 liters) while freshwater is 41 gallons (155 liters) and the holding tank can carry 17 gallons (64 liters).

For sailing specs, the mast height above the waterline is 48’3” (14.7 m) and the sail area is 506 square feet (47 sq. m) with the Foretriangle at 100%  and 589 sq. ft (54.72 sq. m) with the standard 135% genoa.

Observations

The Catalina 315 is a mid-sized sailing yacht with big boat features. The manufacturer’s philosophy is a simple one: Design boats that stand up to real-world conditions and sail well.

The 315 meets that mission on many levels. Most importantly, she’s an easy boat to sail, which should make her attractive to a buyer either entering the market or stepping up from a smaller vessel. She’s comfortable in the cockpit and belowdecks, and she’s easy to maintain.