Catalina 28 Mk II Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The Mk II has the familiar Catalina profile: a flat sheerline, moderate bow overhang, broad reverse transom, and ample freeboard. Its sloping cabintrunk extends well onto the foredeck, while dark portlights give it a distinctly vintage Catalina appearance.

The hull is a solid hand-laid fiberglass laminate without a core; the deck and cabin use balsa-cored composite construction. Hull and deck meet at an overlapping shoebox joint that also carries the aluminum toerail. Fiberglass liners provide interior structure, with marine-plywood bulkheads slotted into the deck liner and fiberglass stringers stiffening the hull athwartships.

One of the Mk II’s quieter successes was eliminating exterior brightwork. Stainless-steel handrails replaced the original teak rails on the coachroof.

For the update, Catalina widened the aft section of the hull slightly. The beam is carried well aft, especially on the Mk II, contributing to a full-bilged, voluminous underwater form with a relatively shallow forefoot. The fin keel angles aft, and the rudder is balanced.

Standard draft is 5 feet 3 inches. A 3-foot 8-inch shoal-draft wing keel was a popular option. The fin-keel model displaces 8,300 pounds and carries 3,200 pounds of iron ballast in its externally fastened keel.

Rig, Performance, and Handling

The Catalina 28 is a double-spreader masthead sloop with a deck-stepped mast, supported by fore and aft lower shrouds. Catalina offered standard and tall rigs, with the latter reaching 44 feet 4 inches aloft. Sail area-to-displacement is 14.21 for the standard-rig fin-keel model and 15.46 with the tall rig.

Inboard chainplates allow tight sheeting while leaving an easy passage along the side decks. The halyards lead to winches on either side of the companionway, and the mainsheet traveler sits forward over the companionway. Most boats lead all sail controls aft, including single-line reefing.

Owners report a light helm, even when sailing hard on the wind. The boat balances well on a 10-knot beam reach and, though relatively close-winded, shows a nice turn of speed off the wind. The design is also stiff in a blow. It is, plainly, not an offshore cruiser.

Cockpit and Deck Gear

The T-shaped cockpit is a highlight, with an Edson 32-inch destroyer wheel and a walk-through transom. The narrow stern platform and folding ladder also serve as the stern rail. Primary winches are Lewmar 30s.

Catalina was among the first builders to make double lifelines standard. The stanchions and pulpits are well supported, though a touch short. Wide side decks make it easier to move around the boat, but there’s no cockpit locker for storage.

Accommodations

Catalina fit two genuine sleeping cabins, a spacious saloon, a full galley, a head with shower, and a navigation station into 28 feet. The forward V-berth is a good size. Its overhead hatch is set into the sloping trunkhouse, where it catches both air and water.

In the saloon, facing settees surround a centerline table that wraps around the mast post. To starboard, the galley has a large sink, good counter space, and usually a two-burner stove. Catalina redesigned this area for the Mk II. The icebox beneath the navigation desk is deep and awkward to reach. Opposite the galley, the head includes a shower.

The aft cabin is entered from behind the galley. Its athwartship double berth was enlarged on the Mk II to accommodate two adults. On the original Catalina 28, ventilation came only through a small port opening into the cockpit, and owners still report poor airflow in the cabin.

Known Issues

Owner experience has revealed several service and construction weaknesses. Owners report an inaccessible refrigeration compartment and inadequate locker latches. The batteries are installed in the stern, bringing penalties in both weight distribution and access.

Some hulls show gelcoat cracking and crazing. Small deck cracks are also common, particularly around the cockpit’s tightly radiused corners. Cracks along the deck-to-hull joint usually follow contact with pilings or docks while maneuvering.

Owner reports also mention annoying leaks, including leaks around the pedestal base. Sound insulation needs improvement on older models. The deep, hard-to-reach icebox and limited aft-cabin ventilation are additional drawbacks.

The Verdict

The Catalina 28 Mk II is an affordable, easy-to-sail coastal cruiser with a remarkably roomy interior, a forgiving helm, and excellent support from both the factory and owner groups. It isn’t built for offshore work. Buyers should weigh the poor aft-cabin airflow, awkward icebox access, and potential gelcoat and deck-joint problems against the boat’s strong livability and handling.

Pros