Catalina 36 Mk II Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

Owner three-cabin arrangements are the more common configuration afloat, though two-cabin versions appear as well, and ex-charter boats are a common sight. The defining interior is the aft stateroom entered from the port quarter, with a 78-inch-wide stern bunk and a hinged cockpit seat above venting through a large hatch. Forward, the V-berth and a head accessible from both saloon and forward cabin define the private bow, while the saloon's U-shaped or L-shaped dinette and convertible game table serve the central living space. The galley sits to port at the companionway with an L-shaped counter, opposite a nav station whose swinging chair has been a noted ergonomic sore point on some boats.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Most boats on the market carry a dodger, bimini, autopilot, and chartplotter as commonly fitted gear, with cockpit shower, radar, inverter, hot water, and air conditioning often seen. A frequent owner upgrade cluster centers on power and comfort: solar, lithium batteries, and heating appear less commonly but signal a boat set up for extended stays, while a furling main, swim platform, dinghy davits, and spinnaker are occasional additions rather than standard. Navigation and canvas basics are usually present, but buyers should confirm whether the second nav-station electrical panel and Perko master switch of newer boats are fitted, as later production carries that distinction from early examples.

What to Inspect

Chainplates leak and require annual inspection or rebedding anchor, so look closely at chainplate bases and surrounding deck cores. Interior woodwork drew repeated owner criticism, so check joinery for movement or poor finish. The nav-station chair lock that fails to hold on a starboard tack and blocks aft-stateroom access is worth cycling through its swing, and the dining table bracket offset from center should be tested for leverage weakness. Finally, confirm engine access: reaching the port side of the diesel is a difficult chore even with companionway steps and aft-stateroom panels removed anchor.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

These boats turn up across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Panama, Greece, and Australia. For a buyer, the checklist is straightforward: verify chainplate rebedding history, inspect deck core at hardware and window bonds, exercise the nav-chair and table hardware, confirm which electrical panel generation the boat carries, and sail her reefed to feel the 15-degree-heel sweet spot. A well-kept Mk II with current upgrades remains a practical, roomy coastal cruiser with strong factory documentation.