Gerry Douglas, Catalina’s chief designer, shaped the 34-foot 3-inch Mk II as a coastal cruiser rated for ocean service under CE Cat A certification, with NMMA certification backing the build. Produced under Catalina Yachts, it follows the marque’s tradition of lead-ballasted cruisers with a solid fiberglass hull and deck.
Design and Construction
Catalina builds the hull, substructural grid, pan, and liner as separate components. A gap remains between the hull and liner while the hull is in the mold. The full liner extends down from the rail and carries the nonstructural furniture, while a one-piece headliner runs the length of the boat. The molded liner is asymmetrical, with a starboard flange carrying AC ductwork beneath the headliner.
The transom is incorporated into the hull rather than the deck. This leaves no seam or joint around the transom radius, part of which lies below the waterline. Deck hardware mounts on pads above glassed-in aluminum reinforcement plates. At the mast step, the design provides metal-to-metal contact among the mast, deck step, compression post, and grid.
The one-piece head and shower unit is lowered into place during construction, leaving no corner seams to leak or recaulk.
The shallow-draft version displaces 11,700 pounds and carries 4,400 pounds of ballast. The fin-keel version displaces 11,300 pounds with 4,000 pounds of ballast.
Rig and Sailing Performance
In place of in-house spars, the Mk II uses a Seldén double-spreader rig with a full-batten mainsail, while Schaefer roller-furlers handle the headsail as standard. About seventy percent of boats left the factory with optional in-mast furling.
There are no conventional chainplates. Instead, the shrouds lead to ball-and-socket joints connected to rods in the hull. Catalina also updated the deck hardware with ball-bearing blocks and a Garhauer traveler adjustable from port.
Testers found that the boat moved and tacked easily in 3-to-5-knot zephyrs on flat water. Closehauled in 12 knots, it made better than 5 knots over ground and tacked through roughly 100 degrees. Even with the shallow 4-foot 4-inch winged keel, it proved a nimble performer. A 6-foot 3-inch fin keel is also available. Racers will want a folding or feathering propeller to sharpen sailing performance.
Engine and Systems
The three-cylinder Yanmar 3YM30 diesel sits in a well-insulated engine space and turns a standard shaft with a dripless packing box. Under power, it drove the boat easily to its 7-knot hull speed. The Mk II can turn within its own length when dodging obstacles, and it stops and backs positively, with the usual slight kick to port. The 80-dBA sound level at cruising speed was nevertheless noted as a little high.
Twin 4D 225Ah batteries serve the house and engine systems. The boat is prewired for stereo and has a small electrical panel that uses automotive fuses.
A large lazaret provides access to the steering quadrant and optional air-conditioning. The sail locker can hold an inflatable dinghy with a small outboard.
Cockpit and Deck
The Mk II has an even wider cockpit than the original. Its coamings were pushed 18 inches outboard, creating room for lounging and providing a good backrest. A well-designed fiberglass table and a new Edson helm pedestal came from the Catalina 309.
The table also has an important practical role: removing it may make the cockpit dangerous for shorter sailors. The narrow space between the helm seat and wheel also becomes uncomfortable when standing there for long.
Interior
Below, the synthetic-laminate cabin sole has an exceptional antiskid surface. Solid-teak doors and trim, finished in a beautiful varnish, provide contrast.
Catalina shortened the anchor locker to create a 75-inch V-berth and added a hanging locker forward. The aft cabin contains a large transverse berth with an escape hatch beneath the starboard seat.
At the foot of the companionway, the port-side galley has double sinks, a two-burner propane stove and oven, a Corian counter, a dry-food locker, and a dish-retention system Catalina calls “Clouds.” A conduit from the port locker allows for a second refrigerator.
The dinette’s tear-shaped table folds down to form a double berth, while the settee converts to a single. The navigation station uses the settee as its seat. The new deck also provides more headroom in the head compartment.
Ergonomics and Known Issues
Period testers identified several ergonomic shortcomings rather than structural problems. The below-deck grabrail arrangement leaves something to be desired: some sailors may find the saloon handholds too far outboard, and only one side of the companionway has a rail.
The cockpit presents two further concerns. Removing the table may put shorter sailors at risk, while the tight space between the wheel and helm seat can become uncomfortable.
The Verdict
The Catalina 320 Mk II is a thoughtfully updated cruiser that retains a proven hull while modernizing the cockpit, rig, and interior for comfortable coastal and offshore use. Douglas’s layout makes smart use of the available space, although the gaps in handhold coverage and the cockpit-table caveat mean owners need to plan how they’ll move around the boat.
Pros
- CE Cat A ocean certification, backed by NMMA certification
- Separate liner and grid construction, with an integrated transom and one-piece head unit
- Seldén rig and ball-and-socket shroud joints eliminate conventional chainplates
- Wide cockpit with secure coamings, good lounging space, and practical galley details
Cons
- Only one side of the companionway has a rail, and some sailors may find the saloon handholds too far outboard
- Engine noise at cruising speed was considered higher than ideal
- Removing the cockpit table may put shorter sailors at risk, and the space between the helm seat and wheel is tight
