Catalina 42 Mk2 long term cruising?

[Sofa King Fishy]

I live aboard & sail a Catalina 42Mk2, and wondered if anyone has experience with extended cruising? I’m east coast US, and looking to taker her to the Bahamas, Carib, and at least one hop across to the Med. She’s in great shape, has a CE ‘A’ ocean rating, lead keel, keel stepped mast, and very comfortable on overnight trips... any insight would be terrific!

[Cheechako]

Bahamas and Caribe no problem. Ocean crossing probably fine too, albeit it's a light boat. But no worse than many production boats used out there.
I've sailed them, they kinda pound and flex a bit. One I managed in charter hit a rock at 5 knots and suffered $20-25k damage in 2004 $. The engine bed and cabinetry broke loose from the hull.
Dont hit things!

[Sofa King Fishy]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Bahamas and Caribe no problem. Ocean crossing probably fine too, albeit it's a light boat. But no worse than many production boats used out there.
I've sailed them, they kinda pound and flex a bit. One I managed in charter hit a rock at 5 knots and suffered $20-25k damage in 2004 $. The engine bed and cabinetry broke loose from the hull.
Dont hit things!

Don’t hit rocks. Got it.

[AiniA]

You know where to come for good advice. I have a Catalina 36 MkII and used to have a Bristol 455 which we did tens of thousands of miles with. The Catalina is not as stout as the Bristol but adequate for going to the Med and back. Probably better to have in the Caribbean with the swim scoop.

[dougweibel]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Bahamas and Caribe no problem. Ocean crossing probably fine too, albeit it's a light boat. But no worse than many production boats used out there.
I've sailed them, they kinda pound and flex a bit. One I managed in charter hit a rock at 5 knots and suffered $20-25k damage in 2004 $. The engine bed and cabinetry broke loose from the hull.
Dont hit things!

Hit a rock at 5 knots with any 40+/-' fiberglass boat and you can expect an expensive repair bill. Friends of ours did it with an Elan in 2019. The bill was over $70K.

[patrickbarbary]

Wing keel of fin keel? Wing would be better for the Bahamas.

[MJH]

Originally Posted by Sofa King Fishy

I live aboard & sail a Catalina 42Mk2, and wondered if anyone has experience with extended cruising? I’m east coast US, and looking to taker her to the Bahamas, Carib, and at least one hop across to the Med. She’s in great shape, has a CE ‘A’ ocean rating, lead keel, keel stepped mast, and very comfortable on overnight trips... any insight would be terrific!

Have you contacted the Catalina Owners Forum with your question? That would give you some first-hand experience answers.

On another note, I hold the opinion that any boat can traverse any body of water given the right conditions...that's the big question and the basis of the stories of successful passages in boats not designed for offshore waters, they had the right conditions.

I have not sailed aboard the boat but looking at the specs/ratios would say that it is a good coastal cruiser.

Good Luck.

~ ~ _/) ~ ~ MJH

[Searles]

Have sailed over 10k miles on two different cat 42 mk 2 both deep keel different interiors ,the first one was assembled at my boat yard brand new ,a few modifications fo long term cruising and club racing verry good boat for coastal cruising and club racing in southern Australian waters and the east coast of Australia,the second one was purchased in Nelson nz having some 17k miles under her keel ,a full rerig plus new rudder bearings plus a kiwi feathering prop ,crew of four ,owner plus friends most with offshore experience ,Nelson to lord Howell ,balls pyramid etc 6.5 days almost 1k miles ,no worries ,lord Howell to Sydney ,217 miles best days run ,no worries ,Sydney to Adelaide 1k miles no worries ,many more cruises ,no worries v good boats. ⚓️⛵️

[dsleyland]

The Catalina 42 MKII is comfortable boat to live on and cruise. I took mine (hull 615) across the Atlantic in 2012 and into the Med. For an ocean crossing I offer a couple of suggestions. First, there are not enough handholds in the main cabin - I added three; one between the door to the head and the aft berth; another just beyond the head, a third at the nav station. The fuel tank is only about 40 gallons limiting the motor cruising range to a little over 200 miles, which could be a problem if there is large high pressure are surrounding the Azores (no wind); I had plenty of wind when I approached those islands. Anyway, I carried four 5 gallon plastic containers of fuel on the fore deck and six more on the swim platform. Always good to carry extra fuel - siphon it into your tank, don't pour. Get a dingy small enough to fit on the fore deck - when you get to the Med you want your stern as open and accessible as possible because you will be required to Med moor (back up to the docks).
BTW - don't listen to those that tell you the Catalina 42MK11 is too tender to cross the Atlantic. I was in 40+ kt winds, 25ft seas and took a complete knockdown that crushed dodger flat against the companionway. Other than dislodging the rub rail, the boat suffered no structural damage.