Designed by Catalina’s in-house team under chief designer Gerry Douglas, the Catalina 42 remains a reference point among mid-size cruising yachts of its era.
Design and Construction
The Catalina 42 measures 41 feet 10 inches overall, with a beam of 13 feet 10 inches. The fin-keel version draws 6 feet, while the wing-keel model draws 4 feet 10 inches.
The hull is a solid, uncored fiberglass-and-resin laminate. A structural fiberglass liner forms the cabin sole and provides the foundations for the berths and furniture. The deck uses a different construction: a cored composite with 3/4-inch end-grain balsa, with 1/2-inch marine plywood substituted wherever deck hardware is fastened.
Catalina joined the hull and deck with a familiar shoebox joint, using flexible adhesive and stainless fasteners on eight-inch centers. An aluminum rub rail with a vinyl insert caps the seam.
Since 1995, the builder has applied a vinylester resin barrier coat to resist blisters. Even so, osmotic blistering has been reported on both pre- and post-1995 hulls, with most repairs handled under warranty.
Introduced in February 1995 after hull 477, the Mk II retained a hull, deck, engine, and standing rigging virtually identical to those of the Mk I. Its most visible change was a contemporary rounded transom, adopted as a concession to European styling. The Mk II also received a deeper, high-aspect, semi-elliptical spade rudder, which owners report improved handling and performance.
Rig and Sailing Performance
The Catalina 42 is a masthead sloop with a high-aspect sail plan of 797 square feet. Its anodized Isomat NG80 mast has double spreaders swept aft 17 degrees. The backstay, forestay, and upper and lower shrouds use 3/8-inch wire, with 5/16-inch on the lowers.
The shrouds are set well inboard, leaving easy passage along the side decks and allowing tighter sheeting angles. The mainsheet traveler is mounted on the cabintop forward of the companionway and uses a 6:1 purchase.
Internal halyards lead aft through Garhauer blocks to stoppers and two-speed, self-tailing Lewmar 40 winches. These were upgraded to Lewmar 42s on the Mk II, while the primary winches are Lewmar 54s.
On the wind, a maximum sheeting angle of 11-1/2 degrees allows the boat to point within 32 degrees of apparent wind when sailing hard on the breeze. In ten knots of true wind, she should make an honest six knots at 32 to 34 degrees. A conservative sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 17 and displacement-length ratio of 196 place her firmly in the cruising camp. Of the two keel options, the deep-fin version is slightly more weatherly.
Cockpit and Deck
The cockpit has 6-foot 8-inch seats, observation seats in the stern-pulpit corners, and a transom seat that steps over to a molded swim platform.
On the Mk II, a permanently mounted 48-inch drop-leaf table stands forward of the binnacle. It’s less convenient underway than the Mk I’s removable table.
Interior and Accommodations
Catalina offered both two- and three-cabin layouts. In each, a head and shower occupy the forward end where a V-berth would normally be. Between the saloon and forward head is a Pullman-style stateroom with a 72-inch berth running from the centerline to the hull side. The berth won’t suit anyone over six feet tall.
The three-cabin version has mirror-image aft quarter berths, each with 6 feet of headroom, a 7-foot double, and a hanging locker. In the saloon, a starboard galley faces a port dinette, while a second head sits forward of the starboard quarter cabin.
In the two-cabin model, the galley moves to the port quarter, aft of the dinette. A starboard navigation station is paired with settees.
The galley has GraniCoat counters, a three-burner Princess stove with oven, twin stainless-steel sinks, and Grohe faucets. The dinette seats six to eight and converts into an 80-by-66-inch double berth.
The most noticeable drawback below is the lack of conveniently placed handholds throughout the cabin arrangements.
Machinery, Tanks, and Systems
Depending on the boat, auxiliary power comes from a 44 or 50 hp Yanmar diesel; the Mk II’s 4JH2E is rated at 50 hp. Engine access is a strong point. The diesel can be reached from all four sides, with removable galley panels providing access to its port side and aft end.
Wiring is color-coded, and newer boats have tinned connections. Fuel capacity is 39 gallons, which is adequate for short hops, though distance cruisers have added tankage beneath the cabin sole.
Two plastic water tanks are installed below the sole. Plastic holding tanks sit beneath the aft berths and the Pullman berth.
Weight and Draft
Catalina’s original weight estimates for the 42 proved optimistic. The builder acknowledges that the actual displacement of both marks is closer to 22,500 pounds. However, the published draft figures weren’t adjusted, so the extra weight likely increases the specified draft in the water by about 1.5 inches.
Refits and Ownership
The Mk II’s rudder change is the most significant factory update. Its revised cockpit, including the fixed table, also distinguishes the later boats without changing the established hull, deck, engine, or standing rigging.
For owners, the accessible Yanmar installation remains a notable advantage. The practical deck layout, color-coded wiring, and tinned connections on newer boats also make the systems relatively approachable, although the limited fuel capacity may prompt distance cruisers to add tankage.
The Verdict
The Catalina 42 is a thoughtfully laid-out cruiser that turned a genuine three-cabin innovation into a long production run. The Mk II’s rudder and cockpit updates keep the later boats relevant without changing the proven hull.
She offers moderate performance in a coastal and bluewater-capable design, along with easy engine access and a practical deck. Her main drawbacks are the optimistic factory weight figures, the resulting uncorrected draft figures, and the sparse provision of handholds below.
Pros
- First American-built sailboat of its size to offer a three-stateroom layout
- Solid fiberglass hull with a structural liner and a well-fastened shoebox joint
- Engine access from all four sides
- Color-coded wiring, with tinned connections on newer boats
- Mk II’s deeper rudder is praised by owners for improved handling and performance
Cons
- Osmotic blistering has been reported on both pre- and post-1995 hulls
- Factory displacement was understated, and the published draft figures weren’t adjusted
- Too few conveniently placed handholds below
- Mk II’s fixed cockpit table is awkward underway
