Catalina 36 – Sailing yacht
Photo: Le Marteau, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Catalina · Sailing yacht

Catalina 36

The Catalina 36 is a masthead sloop built by Catalina Yachts at Woodland Hills, California, from July 1982 (hull 1, sold as a 1983 model) until November 2006, when hull 2305, the last one, was finished. It came with a deep fin keel (1.78 m) or a shoal wing keel (1.35 m) and a standard or a 2 ft taller rig; the fin keel was standard until 1990, the wing keel from the early 1990s. The original boat, later called the Mk I, ran to the 1994 model year (from the 1993 models with the athwartships double berth aft), and the Mk II of the 1995 to 2006 model years kept the hull and rig, won Cruising World’s Boat of the Year in 1995 and has its own pulpit, swim ladder, water tank and, from 2002, chainplates. The engines were all Universal diesels: the three-cylinder Model 25 of 23 hp (standard in 1990), the four-cylinder Model 35 of 30 hp (standard by 1992) and a four-cylinder of 35 hp in the 2000 and 2004 brochures, so read the engine plate before ordering parts. Catalina offers no manual for download: Catalina Direct sells the owner’s manual binder and C-36 parts, the Catalina 36/375 International Association keeps manuals and technical articles for its members, and the successor is the Catalina 375 of 2008.

Manuals & documents

The links go to Catalina’s own documents — some as archived copies of pages the maker has since taken down. We host no manuals or drawings.

Equipment & its manuals

Standard equipment as the builder’s documents list it. Boats were ordered with options and refitted since — check what is actually aboard.

ItemModelManual / pageNote
EngineUniversal Model 25 (M-25 · M-25XP)1,2,3Price list of 1 December 1990: standard engine is the Universal Model 25, three cylinders, 23 hp, fresh-water cooled, with panel and tachometer; the 1984 and 1986 brochures name no engineUniversal M-25, M-25XP & M-25XPB Parts & service page23 hp is the M-25XP, which Westerbeke introduced in 1986 in place of the M-25; Catalina Direct’s C-36 engine pages carry head gaskets for both, so read the engine plate.
EngineUniversal Model 35 (M-35), 30 hp1,4,5,6,7,2,8,3Option in place of the Model 25 in the 1990 price list (four cylinders, 30 hp); standard by the brochure of November 1992 and in the Mk II brochures of 1994 and 1997, and in the order form valid from December 1995 as a four-cylinder, fresh-water-cooled Model 35 with panel and tachometerWesterbeke owner’s manual 200157, Universal M-12 to M-50 (covers the M-35)Westerbeke introduced the M-35 in 1987 and later built an M-35A, whose Catalina version is the M-35AC (parts list 201097); Catalina Direct’s C-36 engine pages carry gaskets for the M-35 and the M-35A.
EngineDiesel, 4 cyl., 35 hp (Universal M-35B / M-35BC)9,10,11,12,13Mk II brochures of October 2000 and September 2004: four-cylinder diesel of 35 hp (26.1 kW in 2004); the brochures do not name the maker or modelWesterbeke documents for the Universal M-35BC, the Catalina version of the M-35B (parts manual 201021, wiring diagram 200360, bulletins)The four-cylinder Universal of those years is the B-series M-35B, which Westerbeke also lists in a Catalina version, the M-35BC; Catalina Direct’s C-36 drive-line page sells damper plates for the M-25XPB/M-35B as well as for the M-35. Check the plate before ordering.
Propeller2-blade bronze, fixed1,7,13Standard in the 1990 price list (two blades) and in the order form of December 1995 (two-blade bronze); a three-blade cruising propeller was an option in both—Catalina Direct sells three-blade 15-inch right-hand propellers listed for the C-36 in pitches of 9, 10 and 12 inches.
Shaft & stern gearØ 1″ shaft · strut · stuffing box13Conventional shaft through a strut; Catalina Direct lists a 1-inch propeller shaft, a strut and a cutless bearing for the C-36 and a stuffing box for a 1-inch shaft on 1-5/8-inch hose, as well as dripless seals to retrofit—
Winches2 × 2-speed ST primaries · ST mainsheet · halyard1,71990 price list: two deluxe two-speed self-tailing winches, a self-tailing mainsheet winch with a stopper for the main halyard and a jib halyard winch (self-tailing at extra cost); order form of December 1995: two two-speed self-tailing primaries, a self-tailing jib halyard winch and a self-tailing mainsheet winch—Neither list names the maker.
WindlassElectric1,7Option in the 1990 price list; standard on the Mk II (order form of December 1995); the maker is not named—
AnchorAnchor well · double bow rollers14,15,1,7Brochures of the 1980s: large anchor well forward with a built-in anchor storage rack and double anchor rollers; anchor locker on the foredeck in the equipment lists of 1990 and 1995—
FurlerHeadsail furling gear1,71990: option (furling gear without sails, plus a radial-cut 110 % furling jib with UV panels or a 150 % furling genoa with the Aeroluff reefing system); Mk II (December 1995): furling gear and a 135 % furling genoa with UV protection as standard, 150 % furling genoa as an option—The maker of the furling gear is not named.
Mast & riggingKeel-stepped masthead, inline spreaders4,5,10,1,7,16Mast stepped through the deck onto the keel, with inline spreaders and fore-and-aft lower shrouds (brochures 1992 to 2004); painted spars in 1992 (white mast and boom an option in 1990), anodised on the Mk II; a tall rig 2 ft higher was an option in 1990 and 1995, and the Mk II could have a mast with in-mast mainsail furling—Catalina Direct lists different chainplates and lower-shroud tie rods for C-36s up to 2001 and from 2002, a tie-rod set for the Mk I and a mast collar for in-mast furling from 1999.
SailsMain + 110 % jib · 135 % furling genoa (Mk II)1,71990: 7.5 oz Dacron mainsail with two reefs and a 110 % jib with sheets (full battens with Lazy Mate flaking, a 155 % genoa and a cruising spinnaker as options); Mk II (December 1995): Dacron mainsail with reef, full battens and Dutchman flaking and a 135 % furling genoa; 150 % furling genoa and poleless cruising spinnaker as options—
SteeringPedestal wheel, radial quadrant1,4,7,17Pedestal steering with brake, guard, compass and engine controls (1990); radial steering quadrant, bronze rudder packing gland and emergency tiller access (brochure 1992); 40-inch destroyer wheel with stainless pedestal guard and 5-inch illuminated binnacle compass (December 1995)—Catalina Direct’s C-36 steering page lists Edson pedestal rebuild and brake parts, a radial drive wheel (with a custom bore for early C-36s) and emergency tiller heads.
AutopilotST 4000 (Autohelm, option)7Factory option on the Mk II (order form of December 1995, option AI 7906 “ST 4000 Autopilot”)Raymarine ST4000 (Autohelm) Parts & service page
InstrumentsSpeed, depth, wind, VHF, GPS (dealer packages)1,7,181990: knotmeter with log on the pedestal as an option; Mk II (December 1995): electronics packages A (speed, depth), B (plus VHF) and D (plus wind, VHF, GPS, Navdata and GPS repeater), specified by the dealer; the chart table has space for repeaters next to the 12 V and 110 V panels—No instrument maker is named in the factory lists.
FridgeIce box · 12 V refrigeration1,7,4Large ice box with shelves and a pump to drain it in every list; DC refrigeration an option in 1990 and standard on the Mk II (December 1995)—
StoveLPG, 2 burners + oven, gimballed19,15,1,4,7Gimballed stove with oven in all brochures, with a choice of fuels in 1984 and 1986; 1990: two burners and oven, stainless steel; from the 1992 brochure a stainless LPG stove with oven is standard, with automatic ignition in the December 1995 list—
Water pumpHot and cold pressure water1,7,20Hot and cold pressure water in galley and head with shower, plus a hot and cold shower in the cockpit (1990) or on the stern (1995); a salt-water pump in the galley was an option in 1990—Catalina Direct sells the cockpit shower valve in two versions, for boats up to 2004 and from 2005.
ToiletMarine head · holding tank · deck pump-out1,71990: marine head with holding tank, deck discharge fitting and a macerator pump with through-hull valve as standard; Mk II (December 1995): marine head with holding tank and deck discharge, the macerator pump for overboard discharge an option—The maker of the head is not named.
Bilge pumpManual + electric1,7Manual and electric bilge pumps standard in 1990 and 1995; the December 1995 list adds a bilge blower—
Batteries2 batteries · safety switch1,71990: 12 V system with two batteries, safety switch, breaker panel and battery condition meter; Mk II (December 1995): 12 V system with safety switch, breaker panel and battery condition meter—
ChargerMarine battery charger1,7Standard on the Mk II (December 1995); not in the 1990 standard list—
Shore power110 V, 6 outlets19,1,7AC dockside power with six outlets in 1990 (50 ft shore cord for 110 V optional) and in 1995, then with polarity indicator and breakers; 12 V and 110 V panels above the chart table since the 1984 brochure—
Hatches & portsBomar or Lewmar hatches and ports19,15,7,211984 brochure: four opening deck hatches plus the main hatch and two dorade vents; 1986 brochure: two opening hatches and six opening ports; Mk II (December 1995): aluminium-framed hatches over the head and the saloon, opening ports with screens—Catalina Direct says Catalina kept no record of which hatches went on each hull: Bomar and Lewmar hatches and ports in several sizes were used, so measure the frame outside the boat before ordering.
LightsMasthead anchor light · deck light1,71990: anchor light, deck light on the mast, cabin and navigation lights; the December 1995 list puts the anchor light on the masthead and adds a steaming light on the mast—

Specifications

Years builtJuly 1982 (hull 1, a 1983 model) to November 2006 (hull 2305), at Woodland Hills, California; Mk I to the 1994 model year, Mk II from 199522,23,5
Hulls built2305 (the last hull number, November 2006); 1687 by November 1997; hull 2000 was built in December 200023,22
VersionsMk I (1983–1994 model years; from the 1993 models with the athwartships double berth aft) and Mk II (1995–2006 model years, same hull and rig, anodised spars, stern rail with seats, its own stern pulpit, swim ladder and water tank); fin or wing keel, standard or tall rig on both4,5,24,7,20,25
BuilderCatalina Yachts, Woodland Hills, California (address on every C-36 brochure); the company is based in Largo, Florida, today22,18,26
Length overall11.07 m (36 ft 4 in) in the sheets of 1984 to 2000; 11.51 m (37 ft 9 in) overall in the 2004 sheet, which gives the hull separately19,18,9,10
Hull length11.07 m (36 ft 4 in)10
Waterline length9.22 m (30 ft 3 in)18,10
Beam3.63 m (11 ft 11 in)18,10
DraftFin keel 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in); wing keel 1.35 m (4 ft 5 in) from the 1990 brochure on, 4 ft 2 in in the 1986 brochure; the 1984 brochure gives 5 ft 5 in standard and 4 ft 7 in for a shoal keel. Some Mk II sheets print 1.17 m next to 4 ft 5 in18,15,19,10,9
DisplacementDesigned weight 6116 kg (13500 lb) with the fin keel and 6387 kg (14100 lb) with the wing keel (sheets of 1986 to 2004; 6124 and 6396 kg in 2004); the 1984 brochure estimated 15000 lb standard and 15800 lb with the shoal keel15,18,10,19
BallastLead: 2718 kg (6000 lb) fin keel, 2990 kg (6600 lb) wing keel; 2741 kg (6042 lb) and 3026 kg (6670 lb) in the 2000 sheet; 6800 lb for the shoal keel of the 1984 brochure18,9,19
KeelLead casting with antimony for hardness and eight 1-inch stainless keel bolts cast in; fin keel standard until 1990 with the wing keel as an option, then the wing keel standard (brochure 1992, Mk II order form) with the fin keel as a no-cost option4,5,18,1,7
Sail area51.56 m² (555 sq ft) with the standard rig, 55.83 m² (601 sq ft) with the tall rig (main and 100 % foretriangle)18,19,10
Mainsail21.74 m² (234 sq ft) standard rig, 24.71 m² (266 sq ft) tall rig18
Genoa155 % genoa 46.45 m² (500 sq ft), tall rig 48.50 m² (522 sq ft); 110 % jib 28.89 m² (311 sq ft), tall rig 327 sq ft18
Rig dimensions (I, J, P, E)Standard: I 13.64 m, J 4.37 m, P 11.89 m, E 3.66 m (44.75 / 14.33 / 39.00 / 12.00 ft); tall rig: I 14.25 m, J 4.37 m, P 12.50 m, E 3.96 m (46.75 / 14.33 / 41.00 / 13.00 ft)18,19,9
EngineUniversal Model 25, 3 cyl., 23 hp (standard in 1990); Universal Model 35, 4 cyl., 30 hp (option in 1990, standard in the brochures of 1992 to 1997); 4 cyl., 35 hp (26.1 kW) in the 2000 and 2004 sheets1,4,7,6,9,10
Fuel tank33 US gal (about 125 l) in the 1984 brochure; the later sheets give no figure19
Water tank48 US gal (about 182 l) standard in the 1984 brochure; the Mk I and Mk II tanks differ (Catalina Direct builds both to a measured drawing)19,25
Holding tankHolding tank with deck pump-out standard in the 1990 and 1995 lists; no capacity given1,7
CabinsForward cabin with V-berth, aft cabin with a double, saloon with dinette or traditional table; the 1984–1990 brochures speak of “three cabin privacy” with a second dinette, and from the 1993 models the aft double lies athwartships and the forward cabin has its own door to the head19,18,4,5
HullHand-laid solid fibreglass with blister-resistant gelcoat below the waterline, moulded hull liner and stainless tie rods; built to ABS-approved plans and NMMA-certified (1992 and 1994 brochures); hull-deck joint bonded, screwed and through-bolted under an aluminium rub rail with a replaceable vinyl insert19,4,5
AwardsCruising World Boat of the Year 1995 (Mk II, best value)22,10
SuccessorCatalina 375, introduced in January 2008 (hull 11.38 m, 40 hp Yanmar)22,27

Good to know

  • Catalina publishes no owner’s manual for the 36. Catalina Direct sells the large binder edition of the C-36 owner’s manual, and members of the Catalina 36/375 International Association get its technical library with manufacturers’ manuals, boat encyclopedias, how-to articles and 27 years of Mainsheet tech notes. Catalina’s own parts department now stocks parts only for current models but still makes rudders, keels, windows and teak flooring in house: send the hull number and a photo of the part with your inquiry.28,29,26
  • Identify the engine before ordering parts: the factory lists show the three-cylinder Universal Model 25 (23 hp in 1990, the M-25XP; earlier boats may have the M-25), the four-cylinder Model 35 of 30 hp from the early 1990s (Westerbeke also built an M-35A, Catalina version M-35AC) and a 35 hp four-cylinder in 2000 and 2004 (the B-series M-35B, Catalina version M-35BC). Head gaskets, gaskets and damper plates differ between these families, and Catalina Direct sells them separately for the C-36, so read the plate on the engine.1,7,10,2,11,3,13
  • On older boats check the engine wiring: until 1988 the panel had an ammeter, and the whole alternator output ran through the panel and two eight-pin plugs on a long #10 wire, which drops voltage, undercharges the batteries and can melt the plugs; the harness stayed like this for years after the switch to a voltmeter. Catalina Direct’s upgrade kit replaces the plugs with screw terminal strips and reroutes the charge wire; heavier cable is advisable if you have added batteries or a bigger alternator.30,31
  • Boats built before 1990 have no high-temperature alarm (the buzzer warns only of low oil pressure), and the circuit-board alarm of 1990 and 1991 rarely worked. A failed raw-water impeller then shows only on the gauge: Catalina Direct sells a retrofit with a new thermostat housing and temperature switch for the M-25, M-25XP and M-35. Check that the alarm sounds whenever the ignition is on with the engine stopped.32
  • Many fittings depend on mark, year and keel, so know your boat’s model year and keel before ordering: chainplates and lower-shroud tie rods changed for 2002, stern pulpits come for the Mk I (one piece, or two pieces with the walk-through transom) and the Mk II, swim ladders and water tanks differ between Mk I and Mk II, and replacement rudders are made for fin or wing keel and for a closed or walk-through transom. Catalina kept no record of the hatches fitted, so measure the frames.16,20,33,25,21

Videos & how-tos

Links to YouTube, nothing embedded. The maker’s own channel comes first; the rest are channels we found clear and correct for this model.

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Sources

  1. catalina36.org/community/boat-brochure/1990-catalina-36-brochure
  2. westerbeke.com/operator%27s%20manual/200157_m12-m50_operator_man.pdf
  3. catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-36/engine/
  4. catalinayachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cat-36-Brochure-1992-PDF.pdf
  5. catalinayachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cat-36-Brochure-1994-PDF.pdf
  6. catalinayachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cat-36-MKII-Brochure-1997-PDF.pdf
  7. catalina36.org/community/boat-brochure/1994-catalina-36-mkii-brochure
  8. westerbeke.com/parts%20manual/201097%20parts%20list%20m-35a%20and%20m-35ac%20rev%200.pdf
  9. catalina36.org/community/boat-brochure/2000-catalina-36-mkii-brochure
  10. web.archive.org/web/20051210023004/http://www.catalinayachts.com:80/pdf/C36bro10-04.pdf
  11. westerbeke.com/Category/M-35BC/5399ADA2DAF73A26740BF79C
  12. westerbeke.com/wiring%20diagram/m3-20bc_m-25xpc_m-35bc_m-40bc_catalina%20spec_(200360_rev…
  13. catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-36/engine/props-etc/
  14. catalinayachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cat-36-1st-Brochure-PDF.pdf
  15. catalina36.org/community/boat-brochure/1986-catalina-36-brochure
  16. catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-36/rigging/standing-rigging/
  17. catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-36/hull-deck/cockpit/steering/
  18. catalinayachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cat-36-Brochure-1990-PDF.pdf
  19. catalina36.org/community/boat-brochure/1984-catalina-36-brochure
  20. catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-36/hull-deck/stern/
  21. catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-36/hatches-ports/
  22. catalinayachts.com/history/
  23. catalina36.org/about/history
  24. catalina36.org/community/boat-brochures
  25. catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-36/interior/plumbing/tanks/
  26. catalinayachts.com/parts/
  27. catalinayachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/C375_brochure_2010.pdf
  28. catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-36/owners-manual-c-36/
  29. catalina36.org/about/membership
  30. catalinadirect.com/engine-wiring-harness-upgrade-for-universal-diesel-engines/152/
  31. catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-36/engine/technical-articles/
  32. catalinadirect.com/engine-warning-alarm-system/
  33. catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-36/hull-deck/stern/rudders/

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