(Catalina 390 loses 2001)

by Cruising World editors
Cruising World

The two production-cruiser categories, which together comprise nine boats, recognize builders who have honed series-production techniques with an emphasis on holding down the cost of each boat. The boats below the $200,000 mark are the Hunter 320, Gib'Sea 33, Catalina 390, Etap 39, Moorings 433, and Bavaria 40 Ocean. From this group, the Catalina 390, the Etap 39, and the Moorings 433 stood out. By nearly every criterion the Catalina came on strong. Access to mechanical spaces — engine, tanks, seacocks — are all excellent. Cedar-lined lockers, smooth-rolling drawers, nonskid at the base of the companionway, plus good ventilation spoke for the well-conceived layout below. But despite its many strengths, the judges found the 390's sailing performance wanting at the end of the day. The Etap 39 is a strong contender from Belgium. Featuring a double-skinned hull injected with polyurethane foam, and thereby earning "unsinkable" status from the Bureau Veritas, the Etap was also a solid performer under sail. Though the judge's found her extruded-aluminum toerails and cleats potentially hazardous, this boat's worth a good look.

But when all was said and done, the Moorings 433 won the category. Many details, taken together, tipped the scales for this boat. Skip praised the systems: "It had a great removable headliner. The AC electrical panel was completely separate from the DC panel. Engine access was one of the best in the show."