Wauquiez Kronos 45 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a Wauquiez Kronos 45 means chasing a rarity: the only catamaran the French yard ever built, launched in 1991 with just thirteen hulls completed by 1996. As a 44.8-foot twin-keel catamaran with a 22.8-foot beam and twin 96-horsepower Yanmar diesels, she appeals to cruisers who want volume and redundancy over pace, and a buyer should weigh the builder's own admission that the design was too heavy against the solid-fiberglass construction and generous tankage.
Layouts on the Used Market
Charter four-cabin arrangements are the more common configuration seen among used Kronos 45s, though both layout types do appear, and ex-charter boats are a common presence on the market. The catamaran's 22.8-foot beam supports that cabin count without the compromise a monohull would face, and the 224-gallon water and 90-gallon fuel capacity speak to the liveaboard intent behind the layout.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market, teak decks, autopilot, electric winches, a freezer, hot water, and a chartplotter are commonly fitted to the Kronos 45, reflecting her cruising pedigree. For a buyer, the electric winches and autopilot reduce crew workload on the 1,183-square-foot fractional sloop rig, while the freezer and hot water signal a boat equipped for extended stays aboard. The chartplotter and autopilot together form the navigation and steering cluster that lets a short-handed couple manage the 44.8-footer confidently.
What to Inspect
The one design weakness to check is the Kronos 45's weight: the builder recorded that the catamaran was not a great success because it was too heavy. On a viewing, assess how the hulls sit and whether the 23,148-pound displacement feels sluggish under way or shows accelerated wear on rigging and winches from the mass it carries. Beyond that, inspect the solid-fiberglass hulls for any undocumented repairs, and confirm both Yanmar diesels run clean given the twin-engine redundancy the design relies on.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The Kronos 45 is typically found in the United States. For a buyer, the checklist is short and specific:
- Verify both Yanmar diesels start and run smoothly
- Check the solid-fiberglass hulls for prior repair
- Confirm the four-cabin charter layout if that is your preference
- Test the electric winches and autopilot under load
- Accept the weight penalty as a design fact, not a defect
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Wauquiez Kronos 45. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 2 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 25 | 2 | $190,000 | — |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $190,000 | 0.0% |
Where they're listed
Wauquiez Kronos 45 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 3.
Country view
3 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $190,000 | 3 | 0 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
6 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance Sun Odyssey 45 | 45.01' | $ 167,975 | 104 | 26 |
| Outremer 45 | 44.95' | $ 660,000 | 49 | 9 |
| Privilège 435 | 43' | $ 274,000 | 22 | 2 |
| Dufour Classic 45 | 45.92' | $ 107,731 | 10 | 1 |
| Oyster 45 | 44.33' | $ 288,674 | 4 | 0 |
| Wauquiez Kronos 45You are here | — | $ 190,000 | 3 | 0 |