Catalina 36

[PalmettoSailor]

The wife and I are starting to seriously consider a post 1990 C36 (possibly a MKII) as the most likely candidate for our next boat. I think we've considered most everything in this size range.

We've been on:
Sabre 36 -- Older boat, cored hull, centerboard with its associated issues and less roomy than the C36
Tartan 37 -- Same as the Sabre, but even older
Caliber 33 -- slow, not a bad layout though and availability is somewhat limited

We considered:
Pretorian 35 -- Volvo engine
CS36 -- rare around here, and even rarer with shoal draft
Beneteau -- still a possibity, but I'm not sure about In-mast furling
Cal 35 -- deep draft
C&C Mark III -- Deep draft
Niagra 35 -- funky below deck layout, none around locally

We've looked at a couple of C36's and liked a lot of what we saw. The rigging and furler were good quality and the winches seemed to be sized correctly. Below deck, my wife really loved the storage, galley set up and large head. The post 90's boats have a walk through transom for boarding the digny and the boats shoal draft will help us avoid getting hung up in the shallow anchorages. I do think Catalinas hull-deck attachment is not as robust as other boats I've looked at but, looking at all the tradeoffs, the Catalina seems to be a decent fit for us. That said I still have my current boat to sell, so we're still open to suggestions.

Weekends to week long crusing around the Chesepeake is the limit of our ambitions at this point with trips south as a longer term possibility. I tend to think the C36 would be capable of anything I can currently contemplate, but at the point I would be in a postion to consider longer range plans, I'd probably also be considering a different boat anyway.

[Bardo]

Sounds like a sober evaluation of your needs. I have not been able to look at my boat search with the same clear rationality. Thus I keep chasing the more "romantic" options. I see many C36's (there is one in my marina) and I must admit that they look comfy. And you are right, probably just fine for your current plan.

[sailhog]

Midlife,
I've been looking at the C36 for the same reasons as well. You might also want to take a look at the C34.

[Slipkiller2]

We had a C36 for about 9 months before we moved up to a C400. We were happy with it but I got tired of hitting my head in the aft room. The Admiral finally relented and we looked at the C387 but she didn’t like it’s “looks”, and decided to look at the C400. I know better than to argue with her.

Other than the head room, I was very happy with the C36. I feel it was a better-balanced boat and tracked better than the C400. During the short time we had it, we did a lot of cruising around Galveston Bay and the Texas coast on found nothing lacking.

[PalmettoSailor]

Originally Posted by Bardo

Sounds like a sober evaluation of your needs. I have not been able to look at my boat search with the same clear rationality. Thus I keep chasing the more "romantic" options. I see many C36's (there is one in my marina) and I must admit that they look comfy. And you are right, probably just fine for your current plan.

Well in my case, I keep longing for boats known for their speed. Unfortunately, these boats all seem to have a draft over 6 feet which is a non starter so long as we stay at our current marina (Which we really like a lot). Also, I think the wife's mind might be made up.

Sailhog, We probably will take a look at some C34's, but the current market here has post 90's C36's selling for less than the crop of post 2000 C34's. I haven't been on board one yet but the 34 seems to be the 36 minus some of the storage space.

[Bardo]

Okay, Okay, I'll go look at the &^^%*# C36! I walk by it on the way to my boat every day, and I always say to myself "keep on walking..." But the price seems to be right on this boat, and its been really well cared for. I wish you guys would quit pushing me! And what a shame the the Admiral is pushing you to the bigger boat!

[Slipkiller2]

I'm not sure what year C36 you're looking at but the MKII's have Fin keel draft of 5' 10" and the Winged keel is 4' 5".

[Cruisingdad]

The 36's are very good boats. I have always liked them. I would def opt for the MKII if you can come up with the money.

Of course, The 400 is by far the best, huh Slipkiller!!??

- CD

[Slipkiller2]

CD,

I am really enjoying the C400 but it's a little wider than the C36 and I keep having trouble with where they put those pilings around my slip!

SK

[PorFin]

The Admiral & I are also looking closely at C36 MkII's -- there are many on the market, and the prices are pretty tempting.

Quick question for you pros, though -- any strong opinions and preferences on which keel to select? Our cruising grounds are almost certainly to be in the Carib, so the shoal draft of the wing is appealing. However, I have seen reports that it tends to round up..

Appreciate your help!