Catalina 400 Buyer's Guide
The Catalina 400 occupies a sweet spot for cruising couples and families looking for a spacious, well-mannered coastal cruiser that can stretch into occasional offshore work. Designed by Frank and Gerry Douglas and built by Catalina Yachts in the United States, the original 400 appeared in 1994, followed by the significantly updated MkII in 2000. The series remained in production until around 2012. With its generous beam, comfortable headroom, and choice of two- or three-cabin arrangements, the 400 delivers a remarkable amount of living space in a 41-foot hull. The MkII, in particular, transformed the cockpit experience by introducing twin helm stations and a walk-through transom, and the boat's moderate-displacement hull with fin keel and bulb or optional shoal-draft wing keel makes it a versatile performer across a range of sailing conditions.
Layouts on the Used Market
Both the original 400 and the MkII are available in two- and three-cabin configurations. The two-cabin layout is popular: it pairs a forward cabin with a very large aft master suite that includes a queen berth and two heads. This arrangement sacrifices some cockpit locker storage to create that expansive owner's cabin. The three-cabin version offers an alternative layout for those who need additional berths. In the MkII, the saloon feels more open and the galley gained additional storage, so later boats tend to present a slightly more modern, airy interior. Headroom is excellent throughout, and the well-equipped galley and abundant ventilation make the 400 a comfortable liveaboard platform regardless of which layout you choose.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Most Catalina 400s on the brokerage market are well equipped for coastal cruising. A bimini and dodger are commonly fitted, along with a chartplotter, autopilot, and a swim platform, which is commonly fitted alongside the MkII's walk-through transom. The cockpit is set up for short-handed sailing with all primary control lines led aft, and electric winches, radar, air conditioning, an inverter, dinghy davits, hot water, and a cockpit shower are often seen as well. Less commonly, owners have added solar panels or further short-handed sailing setups, but the standard rig already supports powerful roller-furling headsails and straightforward handling from the helm.
What to Inspect
A thorough survey is essential, and there are several Catalina 400-specific areas that deserve close attention. The deck is balsa-cored for stiffness, with solid fibreglass in high-stress zones, but any breach around deck fittings can lead to moisture intrusion. Potential buyers should have a thorough survey, paying close attention to areas around deck fittings and the keel-hull joint for any signs of water intrusion or stress. On the MkII, the twin-wheel arrangement gives excellent visibility and stern access, but it introduces a more complex steering system to maintain compared to a single-rudder quadrant setup. Inspect the linkage, cables, and sheaves carefully for wear or corrosion.
The Catalina 400 is a highly capable coastal and moderate offshore cruiser, but it is not built to the standards of heavier, dedicated blue water yachts. If you plan on high-latitude or extreme passages, give particular scrutiny to high-stress areas like the standing rigging base and rudder bearings, where additional strengthening or modification may be worth considering. The typical Yanmar four-cylinder diesel is a known quantity, but check service records, engine mounts, and the condition of the saildrive or shaft seal as you would on any boat of this era.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The Catalina 400 appears regularly on the used market in the United States, Georgia, Grenada, Australia, and Turkey, giving buyers in those regions a reasonable pool of boats to consider. When you begin your search, keep a short checklist in mind:
- Decide whether the two-cabin or three-cabin layout suits your crew and storage needs.
- Choose between the deeper fin keel (better upwind performance) and the wing keel (5'4" draft for shoal waters), understanding the trade-off in stability.
- Verify whether the boat is an original 400 or the MkII, and if the MkII features — twin helms, walk-through transom, taller rig — matter to you.
- Have the surveyor examine deck hardware bedding, the keel-hull joint, and the steering system in detail.
- Assess the age and condition of the standing rigging, sails, and canvas; budget for replacement if they are original.
- Factor in the limited external locker space if you plan to carry extensive cruising gear, and consider whether a solar installation or arch has already been added.
With a careful survey and realistic expectations, a well-maintained Catalina 400 offers an outstanding balance of comfort, space, and sailing ease that remains hard to beat in its size range.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Catalina 400. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 14 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 25 | 1 | $ 90,000 | — |
| Apr 25 | 1 | $ 109,000 | +21.1% |
| May 25 | 2 | $ 89,500 | -17.9% |
| Jun 25 | 2 | $ 125,000 | +39.7% |
| Jul 25 | 4 | $ 106,900 | -14.5% |
| Aug 25 | 3 | $ 124,900 | +16.8% |
| Sep 25 | 11 | $ 99,000 | -20.7% |
| Oct 25 | 4 | $ 89,000 | -10.1% |
| Jan 26 | 8 | $ 89,450 | +0.5% |
| Feb 26 | 1 | $ 62,948 | -29.6% |
| Mar 26 | 7 | $ 119,900 | +90.5% |
| Apr 26 | 2 | $ 80,250 | -33.1% |
| May 26 | 8 | $ 91,900 | +14.5% |
| Jun 26 | 1 | $ 84,900 | -7.6% |
Where they're listed
Catalina 400 listings appear across 5 countries. United States has the most listings with 36 (90.0%), followed by Australia and Grenada.
Country view
40 listings · 5 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $ 99,000 | 36 | 5 | 90.0% |
| Australia | $ 94,498 | 1 | 0 | 2.5% |
| Grenada | $ 69,000 | 1 | 0 | 2.5% |
| Georgia | $ 124,900 | 1 | 0 | 2.5% |
| Turkey | $ 62,948 | 1 | 0 | 2.5% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
11 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lagoon 400 | 39.27' | $ 315,000 | 209 | 52 |
| Catalina 350 | 35.42' | $ 98,500 | 142 | 38 |
| Catalina 42 | 41.86' | $ 79,900 | 117 | 50 |
| Catalina 42 Mk II | 41.86' | $ 135,000 | 116 | 39 |
| CATALINA YACHTS 380 | 38.42' | $ 90,000 | 79 | 30 |
| Catalina 470 | 47.67' | $ 210,000 | 55 | 15 |
| Beneteau Oceanis 400 | 40' | $ 69,900 | 53 | 16 |
| Catalina 400You are here | — | $ 99,000 | 45 | 10 |
| Catalina 400 Mk II | 41.5' | $ 140,000 | 45 | 11 |
| Beneteau Oceanis Oceanis 400 CC | 41' | $ 104,340 | 37 | 14 |
| Bavaria Cruiser 42 | 42.62' | $ 111,204 | 35 | 11 |