1984 Catalina 38
$39,000
Boat in Portland US
Built in 1984
38
1 Engine (Universal)
38.2 feet
Diesel
Fiberglass/Reinforced
Moxie is in exceptional condition and is owned by a very skilled owner.
Moxie is one those boats that people can not take their eyes off of. The Sparkman and Stephens design was purchased by Catalina's Frank Butler and finished with a warm and inviting cabin. The design was eventually used in Long Beach Yacht Club's Congressional Cup series and has stood the test of time as a thoroughbred sailing vessel. Moxie has had some upgrades along the way, most recently, a thorough re-wiring and new refrigeration.
Anyone who has sailed one of these boats will tell you that they simply sail like a dream.
One look at its sleek lines and round tumblehome and you can tell it's an S&S IOR design from the 1970s. Some years later, Catalina bought the molds and Frank Butler made several changes including replacing the flush deck with a cabin house to make the sailboat more appealing to a coastal cruising market.
The hull was originally a two-piece construction with a poured lead keel. It was two pieces, because unlike the designs of today, that kind of a tumblehome made it impossible to get the boat out of the mold. The broad beam (over 11 feet) was swept gracefully back to a narrow wineglass transom. The original S&S design included a very sleek swept-back keel that maximized good performance to weather. Catalina later offered an optional shoal-draft version to expand the market to areas with skinny water. The keel-stepped, double-spreader, high-aspect ratio rig and fine entry made the 38 extremely fast to weather and able to outpoint many competitors of its time.
Stanchions re-bedded with new 5/16" stainless life lines 2018.
New "Life Sling" retrieval preserver stern rail mount 2018
Top sides painted with 2 part urethane paint system
Cabin top teak safety rail replaced 2023
Maxwell vertical windless 600 watts 12V relay and wiring 2018
Rocnor plow style anchor #35 with 5/16" gal, chain & 8 plait nylon rode
CQR plow style stern anchor with 5/16" gal, chain with 8 plait nylon rode
The chain plates were removed as a matter of caution due to tarnish only NO RUST
The format to refurbish the chain plates was thoroughly followed after removal to include cleaning passivating followed by re-bedding with sealant, elastomeric polysulfide sealant. sealant was allowed to set before final tightening of stays. Polysulfide was chosen for this particular repair because they are excellent re-bonding agents that have elastomeric properties for higher stress areas.
Universal Diesel 5424 3 cylinder 24hp and drivetrain 1440 hours 2018
New diesel 5052 aluminum fuel tank and with new vent and supply lines.
Replaced heat exchanger with new identical product and Navaloy anode.
Engine removed, stripped, primed and repainted with new engine mounts.
Replaced coolant impeller, new oil pressure gauge.
Replaced cutlass bearing.
Batteries (2) 80 Ah AGM for house
(1) 80 Ah for start 2019
Solar Panel expandable 50 watts with remote monitor and charging relay.
Solar powered hatch exhaust fan.
Xantre remote inverter and panel monitor.
LED lighting and emergency floor lights installed.
LED lighting mast and deck lights with new marine tin stranded copper wiring.
Cabin heat Esberpacher Espar Airtronoic S2 D2L diesel fired forced air and thermostat.
B&G electronic suite included 9"MFD with split screen,4G radar with instant start, depth sounder, knot meter, wind speed indicator, GPS.
DVR player with speakers and remote.
Blue tooth stereo DVD/AM/FM radio with speakers.
2 burner gimballed stove with oven.
Ice box with cold plate refrigeration.
New Teak & Holly sole in cabin.
The keel was removed and shipped to the foundry in Burlington Canada for replacement with OEM "J" style keel bolts and recast. The keel was reinstalled at the yard and set in Polyurethane adhesive.
For added safety factor, the new bolts were tightened to torque (75-80 ft lbs.) against 1/4" stainless steel back up plates in the bilge.
North Mainsail with Doyle Stack-Pak
150% North Roller Furling Genoa
Navtec Hydraulic Backstay Adjuster
Lewmar 48 Primary Winches
Lewmar 30 Secondary Winches
Lewmar 16 Halyard Winches
Price History
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 4/15/26 | Initial price | $39,000 |
1984 Catalina 38 Video Tours
Overview from around the web 1984 Catalina 38
Customers praise the 1984 Catalina 38 for its solid construction and reliable performance, making it a favorite among cruising sailors
Many appreciate its spacious interior layout, which offers comfortable accommodations for extended voyages. Owners often highlight the boat's balanced handling and good sailing characteristics, noting that it performs well both in coastal waters and on longer passages. Additionally, the Catalina 38 is commended for its quality craftsmanship and timeless design, which continue to hold value over the years. Overall, it’s regarded as a dependable and versatile sailboat that combines comfort with capable sailing.
The Biggest Pros and Cons
The 1984 Catalina 38 is a well-regarded sailboat known for its blend of performance and comfort. Here are some of the key pros and cons of this model:
Pros
Solid Construction: Built with quality fiberglass, the Catalina 38 offers durability and a sturdy feel on the water.
Good Performance: Designed with a balanced sail plan and a moderate displacement, it provides responsive handling and respectable speed for a cruiser of its size.
Spacious Interior: The layout maximizes living space, offering comfortable accommodations for extended cruising or weekend trips.
Easy to Handle: The sailboat’s rigging and deck layout allow for manageable sail handling, making it suitable for both experienced sailors and those still learning.
Versatile Design: The Catalina 38 performs well in a variety of conditions, from coastal cruising to club racing.
Cons
Older Design: Being a production model from the mid-1980s, some aspects of the design and onboard systems may feel dated compared to more modern boats.
Maintenance Needs: Like many boats of its age, the Catalina 38 may require ongoing maintenance and occasional updates to keep systems current and reliable.
Weight: While offering good stability, its moderate displacement means it may not be as fast as lighter performance-oriented sailboats.
Limited Tankage: Fuel and water tank capacities are adequate but may require frequent refilling during longer voyages.
Made For
The 1984 Catalina 38 is ideal for sailors seeking a versatile and reliable cruiser that balances performance with comfort. It suits those who enjoy coastal cruising, weekend getaways, or longer passages, offering spacious accommodations and solid handling. Whether you're an experienced sailor or a couple looking for a comfortable and manageable sailboat, the Catalina 38 provides a great blend of ease of use and sailing capability.
Finance your dream boat!
Finance your dream boat!
Be the first to know when similar boats hit the market
Get notified when new boats become available
Boats For Sale in United States Similar to the 1984 Catalina 38
Compare with similar boats and find the perfect one for you.
 1984 Catalina 38 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,000 | $53,330 | $22,500 | $20,000 | $19,500 | $17,750 |
| Portland | Charleston | Pasadena | Dana Point | Branford | Hull |
| 38' | - | - | 38' | 35' | 38' |
| 12' | - | - | - | - | - |
| 7' | - | - | - | - | - |
| Universal | Universal | Universal | Universal | Universal | Yanmar |
| 24 hp | 30 hp | 25 hp | 35 hp | 26 hp | 30 hp |
| 1 | 59 | 668 | 27 | 1 | 3 |
Meet the Broker
Address
Contact Yachts New England about 1984 Catalina 38
38 Bayside Ave., Noank Village Boatyard, Noank, CT, 06340
Login with Google