Catalina 38?

[jacquief]

Hi there, I'm brand new to this forum and a new sailor too! I have taken lessons (ASA and CSA) (so has my husband) and we're doing tons of research. We're looking for a first boat to use as a weekend cottage and cruiser on Lake Ontario to start. Being March, there doesn't seem to be a lot to go look at so we're surfing the web. I'm thinking about a Catalina 38, I think year 2000, that has been in freshwater only. So far so good. The price is a bit steep ($135K) and I was thinking our max price is about $100K.

Does anyone have an opinion on the C38?
We don't seem to like Hunter or Beneteau (I learned on these) - is the Catalina a similar type of boat?

Any other suggestions in the price range and size?

Also, can anyone tell me why there is such a poor selection of brands in the Great Lakes area when there seems to be all kinds of makes and models in the eastern coast of the US? Does the selection improve in summer?

thanks for any help!