Beware marketeers. (Disclosure: I are one.)

A rose by any other name is still a rose. There isn't a manufacturer on the planet (of any product...airplane, boat, computer, whatever) that can refuse the temptation to re-label something in order to extract free space in the trade publications.

My First Mate and I are planning on going to the Annapolis in a few weeks and we were looking forward to seeing the new 387. They are discontinuing that madel? It is the latest that Catalina has come out with isn't it?

Anyone know when the 385 will debut?

Mike

Mike, it is my understanding that it will be unveiled at the Annapolis show 10/6. Hope to see you there!

[QUOTE=ProfDruhot;10139]Mike, it is my understanding that it will be unveiled at the Annapolis show 10/6. Hope to see you there![/QUOTE]

I just got an E-mail from Tidewater Marine, a local Catalina Dealer, saying they would have a 385 on display at the show.

I had checked the boatshow website a few days ago and don't think it was on the list of boats to be on display and I noticed that there were only a few models that were listed. I hope this implies there will be a few more models on display than the website has listed.

I think the trend is towards bigger more expensive boats to support a large upper case and shrinking middle class.

[QUOTE=Rockman;10118]From the 320 Association website,

“[I][B]I just returned from the factory in Largo - the 309, 320,350, 375, 387, 400, and the 420 have been discontinued. The lineup will be: 315 , 355, 385, 445.
It could be that a unit larger than the 445 will happen as well in the next year or so.[/B][/I]”

While it is sad to see an old favourite being discontinued, I was always surprised at the model line up, there was very little difference in length between some models. When I looked at the 355, I thought why bother. Just get a 375. And I am a little biased, as I have several boats (in charter).

Maybe focussing on less models will result in some improvements in features?

There is also talk that the 385, will in fact be the 375 with some small modifications. If this was the case, then will this association become the 36/375/385 Association?

Time will tell.[/QUOTE]

Thank God for used boats! I have sailed Frank Butler boats since the 70's. Starting with a Columbia 26, Coronado 25, Catalina 27 and now my Catalina 36. Good boats, great value!

Saw my first 445 last week. The pictures were nice, I thought it might replace the 42 as my next move up the Catalina list. in person, not so much. I'm hoping that someone out there is ordering a 42, fin keel, twin cabin, centerline, standard main (or maybe boom furling) with hydronic heat and a genset. Hold it for about 5 years and I'll give you a call.

Bruce

[QUOTE=bcam;10152]I'm hoping that someone out there is ordering a 42, fin keel, twin cabin, centerline, standard main (or maybe boom furling) with hydronic heat and a genset. Hold it for about 5 years and I'll give you a call.

Bruce[/QUOTE]

Ha Ha Bruce, I'm with you. The prior owner of my 36 was an absolute SAINT. Immaculate and timely maintenance and no installations to undo, not even a radio. He moved to a 42 and I keep hoping that he buys a 445. LOL

Mike

[QUOTE]
I'm hoping that someone out there is ordering a 42, fin keel, twin cabin, centerline, standard main (or maybe boom furling) with hydronic heat and a genset. Hold it for about 5 years and I'll give you a call.

Bruce[/QUOTE]

That’s exactly Catalina’s (and the other manufacturers) greatest headache – the abundance of quality used boats available to potential boat buyers.

Catalina’s old business model of long productions runs of 1000+ units with incremental improvements over time has given way to short production runs of a few hundred units. What better way to limit a buyers ability to directly compare, say a new 375 with a 4-5 year old 375 that costs tens of thousands less to purchase, and incidentally, earns the factory zero revenue.

I’d guess that 9 of 10 Catalina buyers, me included, would, if given the choice, buy the used boat and save tens of thousands. That can’t be good news for Catalina. This “new normal” marketplace is forcing Catalina to adapt and the tact they’ve taken is to phase out old models after a few years. I hope it works for them because I like Frank. He’s like Henry Ford and I can afford his pre-owned Model A.