Catalina 320 Mk II Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Catalina builds the hull, substructural grid, pan, and liner for the 320 Mk II as separate components, with a gap left between hull and liner while the hull is in the mold anchor. The full liner extends from the rail down and carries the furniture as nonstructural pieces, while a one-piece headliner runs the entire length of the boat. A notable structural move incorporates the transom into the hull rather than the deck, leaving no seam or joint on the radius of the transom, some of which lies below the waterline. All deck hardware mounts on pads above glassed-in aluminum reinforcement plates, and the mast-step system ensures metal-to-metal contact between mast, deck step, compression post, and grid. The one-piece head and shower unit is lowered in during construction with no corner seams to leak or recaulk. The molded liner is asymmetrical, with a starboard flange running AC ductwork beneath the headliner.

Rig and Handling

Instead of in-house spars, the Mk II switched to Seldén double-spreader rig with a full-batten main, while Schaefer roller-furlers handle the headsail as standard anchor. About seventy percent of boats left the factory with optional in-mast furling. Notably, there are no chainplates: the shrouds lead to ball-and-socket joints tied to rods in the hull. Deck hardware was revamped with ball-bearing blocks and a Garhauer traveler adjustable from port. Under sail, testers found the boat moved and tacked easily in 3-to-5-knot zephyrs on flat water, and closehauled in 12 knots it made better than 5 knots over ground, tacking through roughly 100 degrees. Even with the shallow 4-foot 4-inch winged keel it proved a nimble performer, while a 6-foot 3-inch fin keel is also offered. Under power the Yanmar 3YM30 drove easily to its 7-knot hull speed and will turn in its own length when dodging obstacles; it stops and backs positively with the normal slight kick to port.

Accommodations

The Mk II gained an even wider cockpit than the original, with coamings pushed outboard 18 inches for lounging and a good backrest, plus a nicely designed fiberglass table and a new Edson helm pedestal borrowed from the 309. Removing that table may make the cockpit dangerous for short sailors, and standing in the narrow space between helm seat and wheel soon becomes uncomfortable. Below, the cabin sole is a synthetic laminate with an exceptional antiskid surface, set off by solid-teak doors and trim in a beautiful varnish. The V-berth runs 75 inches after Catalina trimmed the anchor locker, and a hanging locker was added forward. The aft cabin holds a large transverse berth with an escape hatch under the starboard seat. The galley to port at the companionway base has double sinks, a two-burner propane stove and oven, Corian counter, dry-food locker, and a dish-retention system Catalina calls “Clouds”; a conduit from the port locker allows a second fridge. A dinette with tear-shaped table folds to a double, while the settee makes a single, and the nav station uses the settee for its seat. The new deck gave more headroom in the head compartment.

Known Issues

Period testers flagged a few ergonomic shortcomings rather than structural ones. The grabrail arrangement below deck leaves something to be desired, with saloon holds placed too far outboard for some and only one companionway side railed anchor. The 80-dBA engine sound at cruising speed was noted as a bit high despite the insulated engine space. Racers will want a folding or feathering prop to sharpen sailing performance.

Refits and Ownership

The three-cylinder Yanmar diesel lives in a nicely insulated space turning a standard shaft with a dripless packing box, and the boat is prewired for stereo with a small electrical panel using automotive fuses. A large lazaret gives access to the steering quadrant and optional air-conditioning, and the sail locker holds an inflatable dinghy with small outboard. Twin 4D 225Ah batteries serve house and engine. The shallow-draft version carries 4,400 pounds of ballast at 11,700 displacement; the fin keel 4,000 at 11,300.

The Verdict

The Catalina 320 Mk II is a thoughtfully updated cruiser that keeps a proven hull while modernizing cockpit, rig, and interior details for comfortable coastal and offshore use. Douglas’s layout makes smart use of space, though a few handhold gaps and the cockpit table caveat ask the owner to plan movement carefully.

Pros