Description
This 1996 Catalina 36 MkII has been exceptionally well cared for, and the cleanliness is immediately apparent—from the interior joinery and upholstery to the machinery, systems and deck equipment. She presents as a boat that has been maintained consistently rather than hurriedly prepared for sale.
DRAGONFLY combines the attributes that helped make the Catalina 36 one of America’s most successful cruising sailboats: an easily handled sailplan, comfortable two-cabin interior, generous storage, large cockpit, walk-through transom and excellent cruising accommodations. Her shoal-draft wing keel draws approximately 4'5", making her particularly well suited to the Chesapeake, Pamlico Sound, ICW, Bahamas and other shallow-water cruising grounds.
This is also the desirable Tall Rig version, providing additional sail area for improved light-air performance.
The Catalina 36 MkII was introduced in 1994 as an evolution of the very successful Catalina 36, incorporating a larger cockpit, walk-through transom and revised interior and deck arrangement. The design earned Cruising World’s 1995 Boat of the Year award for Best Value – Midsize Cruiser, recognition that helps explain why the model remains so popular on the brokerage market three decades later.
For someone looking for a clean, proven, comfortable cruising sailboat without taking on a major restoration project, DRAGONFLY deserves serious consideration.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Exceptional overall cleanliness and condition
- 1996 Catalina 36 MkII Tall Rig
- Shoal-draft wing keel — approximately 4'5" draft
- September 2025 bottom paint
- Hull cleaned and waxed
- Universal M35 diesel — approximately 2,000 hours
- PYI Max-Prop 3-blade auto-feathering propeller
- 16,000 BTU Dometic reverse-cycle air conditioning / heat
- Majestic UFO X Omnidirectional TV antenna with preamp / ROKU flatscreen TV
- 2015 full-batten mainsail
- Schaefer 2000 roller-furling genoa
- Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 74-series chartplotter
- AIS/GPS-equipped Standard Horizon VHF
- Autopilot
- Raymarine depth instrumentation
- Electric anchor windlass
- Four new 6V Duracell house batteries — 2026
- High-output Balmar alternator
- Heart Freedom inverter/charger
- Adler Barbour refrigeration
- Large two-cabin interior
- Walk-through transom and swim platform
- Well-maintained Persian Green canvas package
- Current owner since approximately 2012
- No reported collision, fire, flooding or lightning-strike history
- Located in New Bern, NC
WHY THE CATALINA 36 MkII?
The Catalina 36 became one of the company’s defining models because it occupies a particularly useful middle ground: large enough for genuine extended cruising, yet manageable enough for a couple to sail without a large crew.
Catalina introduced the MkII in 1994, retaining the proven concept while revising the deck, cockpit, transom and accommodations. Catalina records show that the MkII received a Cruising World Boat of the Year award in March 1995, while Cruising World lists it specifically as the 1995 Best Value Midsize Cruiser.
The MkII's larger cockpit, walk-through transom and improved aft accommodations made an already successful design even more cruising friendly. Catalina's own specifications list the wing-keel model at approximately 14,100 lb displacement, 6,600 lb ballast and only 4'5" draft.
That combination remains especially attractive for East Coast sailors.
Listed by S&J Yachts (“Skipper Chip” Johnson). Massey Yacht Sales can represent you as your buyer's broker on this yacht at no additional cost to you.