1994–2012 · designed by Frank Butler / Gerry Douglas · built by Catalina Yachts
Catalina's larger cruising-spec offering, sitting above the Catalina 36 Mk II in the line. Designed for serious coastal cruising and limited bluewater work by capable owners — deeper bilge, larger fuel + water tanks, two-cabin layout, more usable interior volume than the 36. Not a dedicated offshore platform but materially closer than smaller Catalinas. Same Gerry Douglas design-office DNA as the Catalina 36 Mk II.
This is a general read on the Catalina 400 class — informed
background, not a verdict on any individual boat. Condition, refit history,
and how a particular hull was sailed and stored matter far more than class
reputation. Use it to know what to look for; for a read on a specific
listing, run a free FairKeel report on that boat.
Same Gerry Douglas design DNA as the well-regarded Catalina 36 Mk II — known sailing manners, balanced rig, established production tooling.
Active Catalina 400/445 International Association — parts, knowledge, and shared technical bulletins widely accessible.
Catalina Yachts still in business — replacement parts available.
Known trade-offs
Not an offshore platform without prep. Standard build is coastal- grade in rig, ballast retention, through-hull spec, and rudder bearing design — same caveat as Catalina 36 Mk II, applies here too.
Deck core moisture intrusion is the recurring Catalina-era concern — moisture-meter survey is non-optional at 20+ years.
Lower production volume than the Catalina 36 — fewer owner- community threads and slower used-market liquidity than the smaller Catalina line.
Age-related quirks to expect
Wing keel option vs. standard fin keel — confirm draft and ballast distribution before pricingLowall (option)
Yanmar four-cylinder diesel; MkII sources commonly cite about 56hpLow1994-2012
Original holding tank + sanitation hoses reaching end-of-life by year 20-25Medium1995-2002
Headliner panel sag on some hulls — adhesive aging, common Catalina-era patternLow1995-2002
Original wire + stainless chainplates on most hulls reaching age limit (1995-built rigs now 30+ years; 2007-built rigs at 18+). Deck-stepped mast; check deck core under mast step. Chainplate leaks into deck core around shrouds are the recurring issue — same pattern as Catalina 36 Mk II.
Moisture-meter survey essential. Same class-pattern as Catalina 36 Mk II — Catalina build of this era is generally tighter than earlier production but not immune. Targeted areas: stanchions, genoa tracks, chainplates, mast step, traveller.
Standard Yanmar diesel. Service intervals well-documented; parts readily available. Heat exchanger + raw-water pump + mixing elbow are typical 30-year wear items. Check hours, oil-change records.
AC + DC electrical + tankagepriority: liveaboard, coastal
Larger Catalinas of this era shipped with more substantial tankage and electrical packages than the 36 Mk II — confirm installed capacity and condition before pricing against intended use. Original house-bank setups are often undersized for modern liveaboard use.
How it fits your plans
Coastal
Excellent. Substantial step up over the Catalina 36 Mk II in tankage, cabin volume, and cruising amenity. A capable coastal- cruising platform.
Offshore
Possible with significant prep but not designed for it. Fin keel + spade rudder + production-spec ballast retention = upgrade-heavy if serious offshore intended. Coastal Atlantic / Caribbean passages common in owner reports, but not a dedicated offshore platform.
Liveaboard
Strong. Generous galley, two-cabin layout standard, dedicated head, deeper bilge, larger tankage than the 36 — designed for full-time coastal liveaboard.
Weekending
Overkill but a forgiving platform.
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