[Espiros]

Similar price,
Lot more electronics on the 38

More sails the 38, better ones on the 36.

Rigging done in both including lines.

Unfortunately less space on the 38 than the 36.

Questions:

Which one would be better for the Caribean?

They both look amazing for they age.

I'm undecided which one to go with.

Any help will be very appreciated

Will only be my girlfriend and I...

Sailing, Bahamas, Caribean..Puerto Rico and the islands

Then, cost of Mexico, Belice, Panama and up west side Cost off Mexico up to mar de Cortez.

 

[Damon Gannon]

Of those two boats, I'd go with the Catalina 38, which was designed by Sparkman & Stephens. It would sail better than the 36 (compare the stats of the two boats on Sailboatdata.com). I've never sailed either of these boats but I'd expect the S&S design to be a little more functional than the Butler-designed C36. On the other hand, the 36 may actually have more interior volume than the 38. Their LWLs are identical and the 36 has a slightly greater beam than the 38. Both came with relatively small water and fuel tanks, but you may be able to add tankage. What does each have for an engine and what is the condition of each?

 

[Espiros]

The 38 winsas well

Yanmar engine 30 Hp 450 hours

Versus
Universal engine 25 Hp with 2,500

 

[contrarian]

I read an article a while back by Lin and Larry Pardey in which they indicated that the Sparkman & Stephens designed Catalina 38 was a design that they liked and thought that it would be an offshore boat worth considering. The 38 is going to be a much better pedigree than the 36 and probably better suited to the itinerary mentioned.

 

[bigdogandy]

Here's a Cruising World article about the 38 from a few years back....

https://www.cruisingworld.com/sailboats/catalina-38-fine-lines-and-long-legs/

A Google search turned up several old Sailnet threads about the pros and cons of the 38 as well as several threads on other forums.....

 

[Espiros]

Thank you all!

 

[Sanduskysailor]

Condition is everything. That being said, the 38 is a bear to sail. Crewed on one in a 260 mile Mac race. Upwind in a blow the tumblehome of the 38 cause waves to break over the boat when beating in 20 knots. Water came right down on top of you whether you were on the rail or in the cockpit. We constantly changed headsails in varying windspeeds to keep the helm from loading up. The IOR designed hull was not that friendly downwind. The 36 is a more moderate hull with a more easily managed sail plan. Again condition could change the equation. I have had good luck with Yanmars.

 

[jephotog]

I respect the 38 because of its heritage (S&S design and racing pedigree) but it just looks weird. Tumblehome pinched stern to my untrained eye looks like an IOR inspired design or older. I imagine it would be a bear offwind in a swell. Also when I look at the interior the pinched stern leaves a narrow aft berth.

The only C36 I have been on was my first overnight on a sailboat over 30 years ago. It held 4 of use comfortably and I looked back on it fondly. I liked the layout (some have separate aft cabins) and would consider it for a coastal cruiser.

Not sure I would consider either for the mission you describe though, would rather look at a Landfall 38 or many other options.

 

[SHNOOL]

38 is an interesting boat, but its sailing characteristics would be more a credit for racing than cruising.
Cat 36 has a more measured response as the winds increase.

Saduskysailor is correct the 38 is an awesome boat with a great racing heritage, but the 36 will be an easier short handed boat.

 

[mstern]

According to the Cruising World article, the Catalina 38 has a 7 foot draft. That won't be too convenient in the Bahamas. I'm not a fan of the IOR-inspired designs. If those are your only two choices, I'd go with the 36. However, your agenda seems ambitious for what is essentially a forty year old coastal cruiser. Not that the Catalina isn't a safe and stable enough platform; you might need some upgrades and some new goodies, but Catalinas have done some heavy duty voyaging. If you've done your boat shopping homework and these are your best choices, you could do a lot worse.

 

[Sanduskysailor]

Minor point about the 38. Because of the extreme tumblehome fenders are a problem. Expect to buy some flat ones if you buy the boat. There was a shoal draft 38 made. One in our area. didn't perform that well on the race course.

 

[MastUndSchotbruch]

According to the Cruising World article, the Catalina 38 has a 7 foot draft. That won't be too convenient in the Bahamas. I'm not a fan of the IOR-inspired designs. If those are your only two choices, I'd go with the 36. However, your agenda seems ambitious for what is essentially a forty year old coastal cruiser. Not that the Catalina isn't a safe and stable enough platform; you might need some upgrades and some new goodies, but Catalinas have done some heavy duty voyaging. If you've done your boat shopping homework and these are your best choices, you could do a lot worse.

Isn't maneuvering in tight quarters a PITA in any boat with tumblehome?

Why would anyone buy a boat like that, except for cheating on racing rules that are decades out of date?

 

[Espiros]

Thanks, I will keep it in mind if I go with it.

 

[Espiros]

Minor point about the 38. Because of the extreme tumblehome fenders are a problem. Expect to buy some flat ones if you buy the boat. There was a shoal draft 38 made. One in our area. didn't perform that well on the race course.

That is the one I looked at.
Everything has been updated, from inside out, even the engine (which is small for these boats)has been replaced with a yanmar 30HP

 

[Espiros]

I read an article a while back by Lin and Larry Pardey in which they indicated that the Sparkman & Stephens designed Catalina 38 was a design that they liked and thought that it would be an offshore boat worth considering. The 38 is going to be a much better pedigree than the 36 and probably better suited to the itinerary mentioned.

That is my tough with it as long as I do increase tankage.

The sailing, displacement, comfort and capsize numbers are better for the 38.

 

[Calmwater]

The C38, overall, with some modifications for offshore cruising (tankage, dodger, strong, better enclosed bimini, solar, wind turbine, extra batteries etc) will be a better choice. Also a Yanmar diesel is by far a better choice than Universal (for me, a deal breaker)

 

[SteveKras]

It seems like at least a couple of you have preference for the Yanmar over the Universal. Is that solely because in this particular instance the Yanmar is considerably newer? I've helped a friend with basic oil and impeller changes on both a 70s Universal and an 80s Yanmar. The Yanmar was easier, but that could have been solely based on age and type of boat.

 

[walden-balboa]

Similar price,
Lot more electronics on the 38

More sails the 38, better ones on the 36.

Rigging done in both including lines.

Unfortunately less space on the 38 than the 36.

Questions:

Which one would be better for the Caribean?

They both look amazing for they age.

I'm undecided which one to go with.

Any help will be very appreciated

Will only be my girlfriend and I...

Sailing, Bahamas, Caribean..Puerto Rico and the islands

Then, cost of Mexico, Belice, Panama and up west side Cost off Mexico up to mar de Cortez.

With all the things to consider, I would just get the boat you guys simply like the best. I have had many Catalina sailboats and there is always a tradeoff.
I have bought a boat, then sold it just a few months after because of some small quirk.

They are both great boats, and both have desirable qualities.

Just have to ask, "Which boat has something you really don't like?
Then get the other one.

My current boat is a C38 and I have sailed the C36 quite a bit.
Good Luck - Think you win either way!

 

[marcjsmith]

It’s been 4 years, hope they still aren’t mulling over the decision

 

[walden-balboa]

LOL...I probably should have looked at the date..