Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 boat specs
Catalina Yachts
Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996
1996
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VS
Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 boat specs
Catalina Yachts
Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994
1994
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Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 at 35,8 ft versus Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 at 36,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 tips the scales at 13 499 lbs — 966 lbs less than the Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 at 12 533 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 Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 carries a rated maximum of 35 hp. Engine data for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 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 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 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 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 could be the deciding factor.

Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 12 533 lbs for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 and 13 499 lbs for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.

Both boats draw a similar depth — 4,4 ft and 5,1 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 uses Sloop rigging. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 has a documented auxiliary engine of 35 hp.

Hull speed is rated at 7,4 knots for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 and 7,3 knots for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996.

Bottom line: The Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 and Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 are closely matched on paper. A sea trial on both in representative conditions is the only reliable way to find which one suits your sailing style, home port, and intended cruising ground.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail35.80 ft
Length overall - Detail36.40 ft
Length - Feet35.8
Length - Feet36.4
Length overall - Meters10.91
Length overall - Meters11.09
Length overall - Inches430
Length overall - Inches437
Beam11.80 ft
Beam11.11 ft
Beam - Meters3.6
Beam - Meters3.39
Beam - Inches142
Beam - Inches133
Draft [max] - Detail4.40 ft
Draft [max] - Detail5.10 ft
Draft [max] - Meters1.34
Draft [max] - Meters1.55
Draft [max] - Inches53
Draft [max] - Inches61
Displacement12533.00 lbs
Displacement13499.00 lbs
Body / Hull
Rudder1 spade rudder
Rudder1 spade rudder
Helm1 wheel
Helm1 wheel
Engine and Drivetrain
Horsepower35 hp
Horsepowernot available
Drive typeinboard
Drive typenot available
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal33
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Horsepower30 hp
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeinboard
Performance
Maximum speed7.32
Maximum speed7.37
Maximum speed measureknots
Maximum speed measureknots
Operational Info
RiggingSloop
RiggingSloop
Mast ConfigurationDeck stepped mast
Mast ConfigurationDeck stepped mast
Boat typeSail
Boat typeSail
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity47.6

Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994?
The Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 is the longer of the two at 36,4 feet overall. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 comes in at 35,8 feet, making it roughly 0,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994?
For trailering, the Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 has the edge at 12 533 lbs dry weight versus 13 499 lbs for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 has a documented max rating of 35 hp. Engine specifications for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 is certified for 11. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat has the deeper draft — the Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994?
The Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 has the deeper draft at 5,1 ft, versus 4,4 ft for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996. A deeper draft generally means better upwind performance and stability, but limits access to shallow anchorages and some marina berths. Always check the controlling depth of your home port and favourite cruising grounds before committing.
Is the Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 better suited for offshore sailing?
For offshore work, displacement and construction are the primary indicators. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 at 13 499 lbs displacement is the heavier, more load-carrying design — generally better suited to extended passages where seakeeping and provisioning capacity matter most. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 at 12 533 lbs will typically be livelier and more responsive in lighter conditions.
Which is the faster sailboat — the Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994?
Based on rated hull speed, the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 has an edge at 7,4 knots versus 7,3 knots for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996. Keep in mind that actual sailing speed depends heavily on wind conditions, sail trim, bottom condition, and skipper experience — hull speed is a theoretical maximum, not a guarantee.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 measures 142" wide, compared to 133" for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 and Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Catalina Yachts Catalina 34 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1996 and the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 are built by Catalina Yachts. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.