Catalina 36 vs 42

[pbpme]

Any thoughts?

[sailingdog]

PM Cruisingdad and ask him... he's the Catalina 400 Technical Editor...

[PalmettoSailor]

Originally Posted by pbpme

Any thoughts?

The 42 is out of my price range, so I haven't really looked at them, though I have read positive reviews and I like the lines of the 42 the best of any Catalina.

I recently got an offer my boat, and as of this moment, am close to making an offer on a C36. I actually like the interior layout and exterior lines of the Tartan 37 better than the Catalina, but am concerned that sooner or later a balsa cored hull will be a problem and T37's aren't getting any younger.

I am a pilot and it seems to me that the C36 is to boats, as the Cessna 172 is to airplanes. Its not the fastest, prettiest or the most well built. However, it does offer a lot of capability at a cost folks can afford. Yes, a Sabre 362 would be my first choice in a 36 foot boat, but that ain't happening without a winning power ball ticket, so looking at the market, the C36 offers IMHO the most boat for the money in its price range. The Benenteaus are also worth considering but their crusing boats (Oceanis Series) came standard with in-mast furling which is not a feature I have any interest in.

[Sailormann]

Check out the CS 36T as well

[SimonV]

try finding a CS36, good luck.

[Cruisingdad]

The difference in size b/t the 2 boats is... about 2-21/2 times larger in size volume. If you would like to know specifics, I will help. I ALMOST bought a 42 over the 400, but settled on the 400 for reasons I will be happy to discuss here. THe 36 is one of my favorite boats and you will find MANY, MANY, MANY of them out cruising.

If you give me some ideas and what/how you want to use it and where, I can help a bunch.

See ya,

- CD

[RickLaPaz]

How ironic---literally just got off of a brand new Catalina 42 30 minutes ago after a two hour sunset cruise with a bunch of friends. I liked it. 6.7 with 10 knots apparent, tracks nicely, deck hardware seems to be in the right spot, (though the traveler is interesting) all Garhauer blocks, electric winches for the main sheet, in-mast furling, large wheel, tons of Raymarine elctronics with a matching flat screen display down below but visible from the helm, backs up straight and hooks to port well, decent 2 cabin layout, joinery is not bad but some interior hardware is cheap and breaks easy, nice galley, etc. Supposedly this boat just sold for 300K with all the extras. Seems a bit steep, but at least you get a great owners club and dealer/manufacturer assistance and feedback. Fun to drive. Not really my cup of tea blue-water-wise but seems like it will do what it's designed to do all day long.

Good luck............

[Denr]

you can do a lot better that either of these marina queens, neither is built especially well or has a well designed cockpit (for sailin) and the storage in the cabin is poor, other than that, they're cheap based on volume!

[Giulietta]

Sailingfool is selling his CS36...its a nice boat in very good condition...

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by Denr

you can do a lot better that either of these marina queens, neither is built especially well or has a well designed cockpit (for sailin) and the storage in the cabin is poor, other than that, they're cheap based on volume!

With all due respect, I dissagree.

I met an individual last week that cruised with his wife all of N and S America in a 36. THey did that for 7 years. THere is another gentleman I have been in contact with that is still living on his 36 with his wife in the carribean - also for the last 7 years.

THe 36 is a well built boat, but not really meant to cross oceans. The 42 is that plus some. For anything in this hemisphere, they are good choices. There are other choices, of course, but I would not rule out the 36 or 42. Both sail very well and both have been written up as classic plastic. They both have a very loyal following.

- CD