1989 Catalina 42 MKI Dealer listing

With over 1000 hulls sold, the Catalina 42 is one of North America’s most popular cruiser/racers of its class ever built. Introduced with the 1989 model year, the 42 was the first American built sailboat of this size to offer a three-stateroom layout. “SeaEsta X” features this coveted layout with the shoal draft wing keel option, allowing you to cruise in areas restricted to deeper-draft boats. The Catalina 42 MKI is a charming boat that offers solid performance, excellent accommodations, and good value for sailors looking for a cruiser or club racer in this size range. 

SeaEsta X has been lovingly maintained and will make you feel at home from the moment you step aboard and into its attractive, solidly built interior. Highlights include teak-and-holly sole, ample living space, ultra-spacious salon with adjoining galley amidships, large dinette seating 6-8 adults, a Pullman-style owner’s stateroom with private head/shower, and two mirror-image aft cabins with reading lights and hanging lockers. The boat is well ventilated and lighted by Lewmar hatches and fixed portlights located in all living areas and in the heads.

Cruisers will love how well-kept and upgraded SeaEsta X is, with all systems and mechanical equipment in good working order. Upgrades include: new AGM house and start batteries (2025), new full boat covers (2025), new stainless steel in cockpit (2020) for new full cockpit covers (2020), new smart battery charger (2025), new refrigeration unit (2024), and new bottom paint (2025). Owners keep a tight maintenance schedule, including annual rigging inspections and diligent upkeep of engine, sails, and other systems.

The clean understated lines of the Catalina 42 means it will never go out of style. The original hull was based on a Nelson Merek racing design, and the boat can attain 8 knots off the wind without surfing and 7 knots upwind. It is one of the best cruising sailboats of its type ever produced in North America and represents excellent value.

Conveniently located in the gorgeous cruising grounds of Mazatlan, Mexico, this comfortably appointed racer-cruiser is waiting to take you on the adventure of a lifetime. Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to own a truly exceptional boat, ready to create lasting memories on the water.

Special Highlights

• New bottom paint (Nov/2025)
• New batteries (Dec/2025)
• New Norco smart battery charger (Dec/2025)
• Custom stainless steel addition to extend cockpit to outer edges of vessel and gates (2020)
• 500 Watts solar and new controller
• Engine and all systems inspected and maintained every season
• 2 electric sheet winches in cockpit
• Engine-powered hot water radiant heaters

// Dimensions

Builder: Catalina Yachts

Designer: Nelson Marek

LOA: 41’10”

LWL: 36′

Beam: 13’10”

Draft: 4’10”

Displacement: 20,500 lb

Bridge Clearance: 53′ (builder specs)

Ballast: 8,300 lb

Ballast Material: Lead

Keel: Wing

Hull Material: Fiberglass

// Propulsion

Engine Make: Yanmar

Engine Model: 4JHE

Engine Power: 44

Engine Hours: 2577

Engine Type: Inboard

Engine Fuel: Diesel

Drive Type: Direct Drive

Propeller: Bronze 3-Blade

Max Speed: 8 k

Cruising Speed: 6-7 k @ 2200 RPM

Other: Engine serviced regularly

// Tanks

Fuel Tankage: x1 / 40 Gal Total / Aluminum

Water Tankage: x3 / 130 Gal Total / Poly

Holding Tankage: x2 / 35 Gal Total / Poly

// Accommodations

Stepping below, the Mark I offers an efficient layout with unique appeal. Overall the interior is roomy, bright and airy. There are ample opening ports and overhead hatches throughout. The 42 Mark I features a large head and shower forward in lieu of a traditional V-berth. The forward cabin is a Pullman-style berth to port. Pullman berths are easily fitted with lee cloths for sleeping and are an efficient use of space.

The saloon in the popular three-cabin version features a nice L-shaped dinette to port with the galley opposite. The nav station is aft to port and uses the settee for the seat. To starboard, there is a small second head for day use. This model features two double cabins aft. The cabins are more spacious than similarly styled European boats. Each contains a hanging locker and enough elbow-room to stand up and change clothes.

// Galley

Refrigerator / Freezer: Nova Kool RT4 (2024)

Stove: 3-burner LPG with oven

Sink: Double Stainless Steel

Water System: Hot Water

Microwave: RCA (2018)

Other: Magnetic Knife holder mounted above sink

Electronics: & Navigation Equipment

Chartplotter: Navionics on iPad

AIS Receiver / Transponder: Standard Horizon Receiver

Radar: Raymarine SL-70c

Radar Detector: Yes

VHF: Standard Horizon with RAM
plus Handheld

Autopilot: Alpha Marine with remote

GPS: Navionics on iPad

Compass: I Ritchie power damp

Depth Sounder: Link Data Marine

Wind Speed & Direction: Link Data Marine

Knot Meter & Log: Link Data Marine

Stereo: Dual with Bluetooth – 6 speakers

Cockpit Speakers: Yes (2)

TV: Samsung

// Electrical Systems

Batteries: 8D AGM (Nov/2023)
x2 31-Amp AGM (Dec/2025)
31-Amp AGM (Dec/2025)

Battery Switch: Dual

Battery Monitor: Victron

Electrical System (AC / DC): 110vAC / 12vDC

Inverter: West Marine 700

Battery Charger: Norco 4X10 (2025)

Smart Regulator: Midnite Solar MPPT / 300 Watt Victron / 200 Watt

Solar Panels: x1 300 Watt
x2 100 Watt
(total 500 Watts)

Alternator: Balmar w/ MaxCharge Regulator

// Sails

Main: Yes

Jibs: Genoa #1

Mainsheet Traveler: Yes

Roller Furling: Hood Sea Furler II

Winches: x2 Manual
x2: Electric

Boom Vang: Yes

Mast: Yes

Standing Rigging: Yes

Lines Led Aft: Yes

Other: Sails in good condition. Rigging inspected yearly.

// Deck

The Catalina 42 cockpit is spacious and well laid out. The boat is a pleasure to sail and to socialize aboard whether underway or dockside. The Mark I’s cockpit seats are 6-ft. 8-in. — long enough to stretch out on. The Edson pedestal and 44-in. stainless steel destroyer style wheel is large enough to make steering enjoyable but still easy enough to climb around when going aft to the stern. The helm seat opens to allow access to the molded stern step. Two deep lazarettes and two coaming hatches offer plenty of storage. In the aft starboard corner there is a 40-in. wide and deep compartment that will hold an inflatable dinghy and miscellaneous gear. There are 2 aluminum propane tanks mounted on starboard aft rail.

For sure tracking, a long horizontal skeg runs aft between the fin or wing keel and the rudder. The elliptical rudder is large and balanced, ensuring control in all conditions, whether under sail or power. The hull of the 42 MKI is high volume, and easily driven, with a fine entry, firm midship section, and smooth run aft terminating in a modified reverse transom. The step-down boarding platform has a fold-down five-step stainless steel ladder that extends into the water a long way, farther than most, which is good.

The Catalina 42 MKI deck was designed with short-handed sailing in mind. All the halyards, the ball bearing mainsheet and the single line main reefing controls are led to the cockpit and placed to be operated from under the canvas dodger when necessary. The wide weather decks and inboard shroud base make passage forward easy and secure. Generous storage and tankage allow for extended cruising possibilities.

Anchors: 44-lb Rocna
20-lb Danforth
230′ re-galvanized anchor chain

Windlass: Maxwell Marine motor VW1000 (2020)

Bow Rollers: Yes

Nav Lights: Yes

Deck Lights: Yes

Spreader Lights: Yes

Lifelines: Solid Stainless Steel

Gates: Port and Starboard

Rails: Yes

Ladders: Yes

Swim Step: Yes

Pulpits: Bow Pulpit

Outboard Motor Lift: Yes

Dinghy Lift: Yes (davits)

Deck Shower: Yes, cockpit

Covers & Curtains: Sunbrella dodger with Eisenglass (2020)
Wheel cover
Cockpit cover (2020)
Bimini (2020)
Cockpit cushions with covers (new 2024)
Full boat covers (Dec/2025)
Stackpack for mainsail

Other: New cockpit stainless steel design to encompass full cockpit with new 2020 covers, in excellent condition.
BBQ

// Mechanical

Bilge Pump: x1 Manual
x3 Electric

Raw Water Sea Strainer: Yes

Bilge Blower: Yes

Fire Extinguishing: x3

Fuel Filters: x2 Racor

Fuel Shutoffs: Yes

Fresh Water Cooling System: Yes

Head Type: Manual and Electric

Hot Water Heater: Yes

Thru Hulls: x11

Other: Equipped with hot water radiant heaters (from engine), great for colder weather cruising. Never used.

// Safety Equipment

Lifejackets: Yes

Lifesling: Yes

MOB Detector: Yes

Jacklines: Yes

Harnesses: Yes