Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2009 vs Chris-Craft Corsair 36 Hard Top 2013: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2009 is a deep-V design and the Chris-Craft Corsair 36 Hard Top 2013 is a modified-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chris-Craft Corsair 36 Hard Top 2013 measures 36,3 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 13,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2009 at 23,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chris-Craft Corsair 36 Hard Top 2013 tips the scales at 16 000 lbs - 11 516 lbs less than the Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2009 at 4 484 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 Chris-Craft Corsair 36 Hard Top 2013 tops out at 2 hp. Engine specs for the Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2009 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chris-Craft Corsair 36 Hard Top 2013 carries 286 gallons versus 103 gallons in the Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chris-Craft Corsair 36 Hard Top 2013 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2009 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chris-Craft Corsair 36 Hard Top 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Chris-Craft Corsair 36 Hard Top 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 11 passengers and at 36,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChris-Craft
MakeChris-Craft
ModelCatalina 23
ModelCorsair 36 Hard Top
Model Year2009
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)
Beam12 ft. 6 in. (3.81 m)
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Meters3.81
Beam - Inches100
Beam - Inches150
Bridge clearance - Detail9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.79
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches110
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise20°
Draft [max] - Detail16 in.
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.78 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.41
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches16
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - DetailWith T-top: 4,484 lbs. (2,034 kg)
Weight - Detail16,000 lbs. (7,257 kg)
Weight - kg2033.91
Weight - kg7257.47
Weight - lbs.4484
Weight - lbs.16000
Height - DetailWith T-Top: 10 ft. (3.05 m) Without T-Top: 6 ft.5 in. (1.98 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters3.05
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches120
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Meters7.16
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet23
Length - Feet36.25
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 6 in. (7.16 m)
Length overall - Detail36 ft. 3 in. (11.05 m)
Length overall - Meters7.16
Length overall - Meters11.05
Length overall - Inches282
Length overall - Inches435
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail20 in. (0.50 m)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches20
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail10 ft. 10 in. (3.30 m)
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]29 ft. 9 in. (9.06 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]38 ft. 2 in. (11.63 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail103 gal. (390 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail286 gal. (1,083 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters389.9
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1082.63
Fuel tank capacity - Gal103
Fuel tank capacity - Gal286
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine makenot available
Engine makeVolvo
Engine modelnot available
Engine modelTwin 8.1L Gxi EVC DP
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower(2) 420 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity13 gal. (49.2 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters102.21
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal27