The Catalina Yachts Catalina 350 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2007 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkI - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1982 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 350 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2007 at 36,5 ft versus Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkI - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1982 at 36,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkI - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1982 tips the scales at 13 499 lbs — 562 lbs less than the Catalina Yachts Catalina 350 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2007 at 12 937 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 36 MkI - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1982 tops out at 30 hp. Engine specs for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 350 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2007 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Catalina Yachts Catalina 350 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2007 carries 40 gallons versus 33 gallons in the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkI - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1982. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
Both boats are rated for 11 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 12 937 lbs for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 350 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2007 and 13 499 lbs for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkI - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1982. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 350 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2007 draws 6,8 ft, compared to 5,1 ft for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkI - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1982. That 1,7-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 Catalina 350 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2007 uses Sloop rigging. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkI - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1982 has a documented auxiliary engine of 30 hp.
Hull speed is rated at 7,5 knots for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 350 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2007 and 7,4 knots for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkI - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1982. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Catalina Yachts Catalina 350 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2007 carries 77 gallons versus 48 gallons on the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkI - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1982 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Catalina Yachts Catalina 350 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2007 and Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkI - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1982 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.