Catalina Yachts has been building sailboats in the United States since 1969, when the first Catalina 22 was produced in North Hollywood, California. The company grew around practical cruising designs, owner-friendly systems, large cockpits, and a strong focus on value and long-term support.
For buyers comparing used yachts for sale, Catalina offers one of the broadest pre-owned sailing markets in North America. Current YachtWorld inventory includes hundreds of boats across cruiser, sloop, racer/cruiser, and daysailer categories.
The range spans compact coastal boats through larger ocean-oriented cruisers, so buyers should compare the exact model, generation, keel configuration, rig, engine, and refit history rather than treating all Catalinas as one type of sailboat.
Catalina’s current Cruiser Series consists of the 316 and 356. Both are part of the newer 6 Series and incorporate updated rigging, modern deck layouts, multiaxial fiberglass construction, new keel designs, and contemporary onboard monitoring systems.
The Catalina 316 has a 33-foot overall length, 11-foot 7-inch beam, and a Yanmar 21-horsepower diesel. It is available with either a fin keel or shoal-draft cruising-bulb keel.
The Catalina 356 measures 36 feet 6 inches overall with a 12-foot beam and uses a Yanmar 30-horsepower diesel. It provides more interior volume and tankage while retaining the same updated Cruiser Series design direction.
These models are relevant to buyers who want a new-generation Catalina while staying in a size range that remains manageable for couples and small crews.
Catalina’s Ocean Series currently includes the 386, 426, and 445. These models move into larger cruising territory with greater tankage, interior volume, storage, and systems capacity for longer trips.
The 426 measures 43 feet 6 inches overall with a 13-foot 8-inch beam and uses a Yanmar 57-horsepower common-rail diesel. Catalina specifies both fin-keel and shoal-bulb-keel options, twin steering pedestals, and more than 100 gallons of total water capacity.
The 445 remains part of the official Ocean Series and is also active in the brokerage market, giving buyers a choice between newer production boats and pre-owned examples.
For buyers considering larger cruising sailboats, the 386, 426, and 445 provide more space and passagemaking capability than the smaller Cruiser Series models.
The Catalina 30, 34, and 36 form a major part of the brand’s used-market identity. The Catalina 30 was introduced in 1974 and became one of the company’s most successful designs.
Today, the Catalina 36 MkII is the most heavily represented Catalina model on YachtWorld, followed closely by the 320, Catalina 30, Catalina 36, and Catalina 34.
These boats are popular because they combine usable cruising interiors, manageable handling, good parts and owner support, and large numbers of available examples across a wide price range.
Buyers should distinguish between original models, MkII and MkIII generations, tall-rig versions, wing-keel boats, and later redesigns because sailing characteristics and equipment can differ significantly.
The Catalina 320 remains one of the most widely listed Catalina models in the current used market. Its size makes it attractive to sailors moving up from smaller coastal cruisers while still wanting manageable systems and docking characteristics.
The 350 and 355 add more interior volume, cockpit space, and cruising comfort. The 355 in particular remains strongly represented in current brokerage inventory and bridges the gap between the earlier 350 and Catalina’s newest 356.
These models can appeal to couples and families who want weekend and coastal-cruising capability without moving into the larger 40-foot-plus range.
The 38- to 40-foot class includes several important used Catalina models: the 380, 385, 387, 390, 400, and 400 MkII.
The 380 is especially active in today’s brokerage market, while the 400 and 400 MkII provide larger interiors and more extensive cruising accommodations.
These yachts can suit buyers planning longer coastal passages, seasonal liveaboard use, and extended cruising, but system complexity increases with size. Air conditioning, generators where fitted, larger battery banks, refrigeration, autopilots, and upgraded navigation systems become more important inspection items.
The Catalina 42 is one of the most recognized larger legacy models in the brand’s history. Both the original Catalina 42 and the 42 MkII remain strongly represented on YachtWorld.
Current inventory includes dozens of 42 and 42 MkII boats, making this one of the easier larger Catalinas to compare across model years, cabin layouts, and refit levels.
Many examples are configured for extended cruising with larger water and fuel capacity, multiple cabins, upgraded electronics, dodgers, biminis, and substantial sail inventories.
For buyers who want more liveaboard space than a mid-30-foot Catalina while staying below the 45-foot class, the 42 remains an important used-market option.
The larger modern and late-model market includes the Catalina 425, new 426, 445, and 470. These yachts provide more interior volume, larger cockpits, greater tankage, and systems intended for extended cruising.
The 425 remains active in the used market, while the 426 represents Catalina’s newest 42-foot-class Ocean Series development. The 445 is available in both current production and used inventory, and the 470 remains one of the more substantial legacy Catalina cruisers on the brokerage market.
Buyers in this size range should focus closely on sail-handling equipment, standing rigging, electric winches where fitted, generators, air conditioning, battery systems, bow thrusters, and navigation electronics.
Catalina’s used-market footprint also includes Catalina Morgan models such as the Morgan 38, 381, 43, 440, and 45. These boats reflect Catalina’s ownership of Morgan Yachts and add center-cockpit and larger cruising configurations to the broader Catalina market.
Other legacy models include the Catalina 22, 25, 27, 28, 270, 275 Sport, 309, 310, 375, 38, and Capri series. Together they create one of the deepest and most varied used sailboat markets among American production builders.
Because model ages can span several decades, buyers should place heavy emphasis on actual condition and documented upgrades rather than relying only on model reputation.
On a used Catalina, buyers should inspect standing and running rigging, chainplates, mast and boom condition, sails, winches, deck hardware, steering, rudder bearings, keel attachment, and all through-hulls.
The auxiliary diesel, transmission, shaft or saildrive where applicable, fuel system, batteries, charging equipment, wiring, navigation electronics, plumbing, sanitation system, and refrigeration should also be tested carefully.
Older boats deserve particular attention around deck-core moisture, chainplates, keel bolts, windows, hatches, mast-step areas, tank replacement history, and previous structural or grounding repairs.
On larger late-model boats, additional inspection should include electric sail-handling equipment, bow thrusters, generators, air conditioning, inverter/charger systems, onboard monitoring, and integrated electronics.
A professional marine survey, rig inspection, mechanical inspection, and sea trial are essential before completing a purchase.
