Catalina 36

[Barpilot]

Hello Everyone:
From the posts I have read here, there seems to be alot of useful info.
Background on me and my current boat. I have a '99 Cataling 36 MKII. Tall rig, wing keel, all current nav and electronics. Purchased new after sailing a '87 Pearson 31 for 12 years.
I know the Catalina is a production PWB (plain white boat) but I love it and is very easy for me to single hand and with one crew is really easy. I have been sailing since I was 7 and am 60 now. Grew up on San Francisco Bay. Both father and grandfather were ship captains and later San Francisco Bar pilots. Never appealed to me when I was young. I currently sail out of Bayfield, WI on Lake Superior (the Great Lake).
My plans are to take this boat south. Bahamas, Caribbean, and live aboard. Everyone tells me that my boat is "not" a cruising boat. They think I should buy an Island Packet, Hans Christian, etc. etc. Well, the fact is my boat is paid for and I still have money to put into the boat for additional cruising gear. The way I see it, if charter companies can use those fool Hunters and Beneatueu's in their charter fleets, the Catalina couldn't be too bad of a choice. I could afford to buy an older "cruising veteran", say 10 years old. Rebuild all the systems for God knows how much and then, two years later have a 12 year old boat that still may have hidden problems. Not sure I like the choice. I would love to hear from anyone who has thoughts on my boat and my planned cruising venue.
Thanks.

JohnW