The Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina 390 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 2001 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 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 at 36,4 ft versus Catalina Yachts Catalina 390 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 2001 at 38,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Catalina Yachts Catalina 390 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 2001 tips the scales at 19 500 lbs — 6 001 lbs less than the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 at 13 499 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 390 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 2001 tops out at 40 hp. Engine specs for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 33 gal and 34 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
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.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 390 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 2001 displaces 19 500 lbs — a 6 001-lb difference over the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 at 13 499 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.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 5,1 ft and 4,1 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 uses Sloop rigging. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 390 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 2001 has a documented auxiliary engine of 40 hp.
Hull speed is rated at 7,6 knots for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 390 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 2001 and 7,4 knots for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Catalina Yachts Catalina 390 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 2001 carries 106 gallons versus 48 gallons on the Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Catalina Yachts Catalina 390 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 2001 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 19 500 lbs displacement and 39 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 36 MkII - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1994 at 13 499 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.