catalina background

[kpintoronto]

Could anyone enlighten me on the history of the Catalina 320/34/36? Specifically, when did the Mark II appear, and what would be the major differences between a Mark II and an earlier model. Also, what year did the walk through transom come in.

I just came back from Sydney, Australia, and after looking at ...literally... thousands of sailboats, by far and away the best looking design is the Catalina models, the 320,34 and 36. This begins my research on possibly buying one of these.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Be Glad to

The 320 is a different boat than the C34 or C36. The rig is different and the underbody is a later design for a different purpose. The C34s and C36s are very similar in terms of systems and amenities. The mid 90's saw the introduction of first, the split in the transom of the Mark 1s (usually called mark 1.5s) and then the 1996 or so introduction of the Mark IIs, with no wood above and wider sterns with walk-throughs. Engines are different too with C34s and C36 (I think) with Universal M25 series to M30 engines, Yanmars in the 320.

Our C34 history is here: http://c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Miscellaneous/evolution Minor mods down below, too, but basically the same below but the 36 has a somewhat different aft cabin entryway and layout. History: http://c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=History

The C36 Association website, www.c36ia.org must have a history page, too. As would the 320 group.

Each one design enjoys and promotes their boats, and so pleasantly never to the detriment of the other.

One of the benefits of almost all Catalinas is very active size specific Association websites with thousands of "problems solved" "asked and answered" and boat improvements. The support is fantastic.