The Catalina Yachts 34 MkII 2006 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1987 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1987 measures 38,6 feet overall (1987), giving it roughly 4,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Catalina Yachts 34 MkII 2006 at 34,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1987 tips the scales at 19 473 lbs — 7 473 lbs less than the Catalina Yachts 34 MkII 2006 at 12 000 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Catalina Yachts 34 MkII 2006 carries a rated maximum of 35 hp. Engine data for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1987 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1987 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Catalina Yachts 34 MkII 2006 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1987 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1987 displaces 19 473 lbs — a 7 473-lb difference over the Catalina Yachts 34 MkII 2006 at 12 000 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1987 draws 7,0 ft, compared to 5,3 ft for the Catalina Yachts 34 MkII 2006. That 1,8-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Catalina Yachts 34 MkII 2006 has a documented auxiliary engine of 35 hp.
Bottom line: The Catalina Yachts Catalina 380 - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1987 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 19 473 lbs displacement and 39 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Catalina Yachts 34 MkII 2006 at 12 000 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.