Catalina 42

Built 1989–2011 by Catalina Yachts

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About the Catalina 42

Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.

Built: 1989–2011
Builder: Catalina Yachts
Designer: Nelson/Marek / Gerry Douglas (Catalina)
Length: 41.83 ft
Waterline: 36 ft
Beam: 13.83 ft
Displacement: 20,500 lb
Ballast: 8,300 lb
Hull: fiberglass
Hull / keel: fin keel
Rig: sloop
Propulsion: inboard
Fuel: varies by year
Water: varies by year
Holding: 52 gal
Water heater: 11 gal · AC + engine
Generator: factory option
Stern thruster: not fitted
Steering: pedestal cable · Edson

Tank capacities — where the figures come from

Fuel varies by year
“Fuel Tank Capacity 174 ltr 46 gal. Optional Fuel Tank 64 ltr 17 gal.” — brochure (2005 Mk II), catalinayachts.com · “fuel tankage of 39 gallons” — search excerpt (Mk I 1989-1995), sailingmagazine.net · “Fuel Tank: 39 Gallons (147.63 Liters)” — search excerpt (1990), akyachts.com · “Fuel Tank: 46 Gallons (174.13 Liters)” — search excerpt (Mk II), curtisstokes.net · “Fuel: 46 U.S. gallons” — search excerpt (2001 Mk II), burkardyachts.com · “Fuel Tank Capacity: 63 gal” — search excerpt (2002 Mk II (46 + optional 17)), cayachtco.com

The model changed: the Mk I (1989-1995) carries 39 gal (Sailing Magazine, Practical Sailor, listings); the builder's 2005 Mk II brochure gives 46 gal standard plus an optional 17-gal tank (63 in total on some boats). Catalina Direct, a parts supplier, lists 34- and 46-gal C-42 tanks.
Water varies by year
“Total Water Capacity Two Cabin 420 ltr 111 gal.” — brochure (2005 Mk II two-cabin), catalinayachts.com · “Three cabin 496 ltr 131 gal.” — brochure (2005 Mk II three-cabin), catalinayachts.com · “110 gallons of water” — search excerpt, rightboat.com · “Water: 115 gallons” — search excerpt (1989), unitedcityyachts.com · “Water 138 Gallons” — search excerpt (1990), boats.com · “Fresh Water: 164 Gallons (620.81 Liters)” — search excerpt (1990 Mk I), curtisstokes.net

The builder's 2005 brochure gives 111 gal in the two-cabin layout and 131 gal in the three-cabin layout (totals as stated; they may include the water heater). Mk I listings range from 110 to 164 gal; the Mk I isn't confirmed by a builder source.
Holding 52 gal
“Holding Tank Capacity Forward Tank 114 ltr 30 gal. Aft Tank 83 ltr 22 gal.” — brochure (2005 Mk II), catalinayachts.com · “Holding: 52 U.S. gallons” — search excerpt (2001 Mk II), burkardyachts.com · “52-gal of holding tank/black water” — search excerpt (2006 Mk II), yachtworld.com

The builder's 2005 brochure lists one holding tank per head, 30 gal forward and 22 gal aft, for 52 gal in total. Listings for Mk II boats agree; the Mk I figure hasn't been confirmed.
Water heater 11 gal · AC + engine
“my 11 gal water heater has just taken a crap ... I took the easy way out and ordered the same 11 gallon unit” — owners' association (2002 (Mk II, 2-cabin)), tapatalk.com · “Water Heater Seaward 11 Gal Galv Connections Front & Rear (listed under Catalina 42 water heaters)” — spec database, catalinadirect.com

The 2005 Mk II brochure gives only water totals (111 gal two-cabin, 131 gal three-cabin), no heater size. The 11 gal rests on one owner's boat on the Catalina 4 Series Association forum and on parts supplier Catalina Direct selling only 11 gal Seaward units for the model. Owners say relocated heaters lost the engine heat-exchanger loop.

Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.

Thrusters and steering — where this comes from

Bow thruster unknown
The Mk II builder brochure's specifications and cruising options (extra fuel tank, generator, dodger) don't mention a thruster, and no option list was found.
Stern thruster not fitted
Our earlier figure of none has no source, and nothing was found either way.
Steering pedestal cable · Edson
“Wheel size 112 cm 44''” — brochure, catalinayachts.com · “CATALINA 42 (S-2054): FIG. 336-5-211T CLASSIC PEDESTAL STEERER; FIG. 647ST-44-7 DISHED DESTROYER WHEEL; FIG. 77201 CHAIN” — spec database, edsonmarine.com · “Catalina 42's ... equipped with Edson wheel steering using the typical pull-pull system and a "Radial Drive" steering qu” — search excerpt, catalinadirect.com

The builder brochure gives only the 44-in wheel. Edson's own data sheet for the Catalina 42 (a planning schematic, not a builder document) and the parts supplier Catalina Direct agree on an Edson classic pedestal with chain and wire to a radial drive; the Edson sheet's 44-in wheel matches the brochure.

Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.

Sources disagree on number built, draft, engines — left blank rather than guessed.

Adapted from an earlier Nelson/Marek racing hull. Mark I (hulls 1-477) built until February 1995; Mark II (from hull ~480, fuller stern) until 2011. Practical Sailor calls the hull solid fiberglass, though the layup includes Coremat (a bulking mat) above the waterline; deck cored with balsa plus plywood under hardware. Hull-deck joint through-bolted external flange under aluminum rubrail. Wing keel 4.83 ft (early shoal boats) or 6 ft fin. Two- and three-cabin layouts. Sailboatdata lists 477 built (Mark I) and says over 1,000 including Mark II, so hulls_built left null. 2005 Mark II brochure: water 111 gal (two-cabin) or 131 gal (three-cabin), holding 30 + 22 gal, fuel 46 gal plus optional 17 gal.

Engines fitted

Yanmar 4JHBE — 44 hp, diesel, single standard
Mk I (1989 to Feb 1995, hulls 1-477). Sailboatdata's Mk I record (reproduced by Murray Yacht Sales; hp from search excerpt) and a Practical Sailor photo caption name the 4JHBE. A 1990 boat for sale lists a 4JHBE at 44 hp (search excerpt).

Sources: murrayyachtsales.com · practical-sailor.com · sailboatlistings.com · listingsport.com
Yanmar 4JH2E — 50 hp, diesel, single standard
Early Mk II (from 1995). Sailboatdata (search excerpt) and listingsport give a 50-hp 4JH2E, and Practical Sailor mentions the 'Yanmar 50'. 1996 and 1997 boats for sale list a 50-hp 4JH2E (search excerpts).

Sources: sailboatdata.com · listingsport.com · practical-sailor.com · edwardsyachtsales.com · yachtr.com
Yanmar 4JH3E — 56 hp, diesel, single standard
Mid Mk II. 2000 and 2004 boats for sale list a 56-hp 4JH3E (the 2000 Denison listing was read; the others are search excerpts). No builder source dates the change.

Sources: denisonyachtsales.com · yachtworld.com · denisonyachtsales.com
Yanmar 4JH4E — 54 hp, diesel, single standard
Late Mk II. Found on 2005, 2006 and 2008 boats for sale. One broker lists 56 hp; two list 54 hp (see disputed).

Sources: martinboxmarine.com.au · seattleyachts.com · boattrader.com
Universal M-50 — diesel, single factory option
Unconfirmed. Catalina Direct's parts pages list the M-50 as used on the Catalina 42, and an owner blog says the Mk II got a Yanmar 'instead of Universal'. Sailboatdata, Practical Sailor and Catalina (quoted by YachtWorld) all put a Yanmar in the Mk I.

Sources: catalinadirect.com · thefosterjourney.blog

Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.

Generator

factory option

“Cruising options include an additional fuel tank, and a diesel generator and fiberglass dodger.” — brochure (2005 (Mk II)), catalinayachts.com

The builder names no generator make or size. On the association forum owners report assorted units, several owner-added: Fischer Panda 4 kW (2004 Mk II), Westerbeke 7.5 kW (added by a Mk I first owner), Phasor K3 7.0 kW and Northern Lights 5 kW (owner installs), often where the water heater was. No make and size repeats, so none is listed.

Manuals and brochures online

Brochure Catalina 42 Mk II sales brochure with full specifications and tankage (2005) — catalinayachts.com
Document Catalina 4 Series Association library - Catalina 42 references (Mk II brochure, engine manuals, polars, stability curve) — catalina4series.org

Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.

Known problems for this model

Short rudder on early shoal-keel boats steering
Early wing-keel boats had a short rudder that loads up the helm; owners who retrofitted the deeper rudder report lighter steering and better handling.
practical-sailor.com
Osmotic blisters hull
Fewer than 10% of owners surveyed reported blisters, ranging from a few pimples to most of the bottom; vinylester barrier resin was used from 1995.
practical-sailor.com
Backstay tension vs. swept-spreader rig rigging
The builder cautioned that cranking an adjustable backstay reduces shroud tension on this rig and could in theory overload the mast; owners adding inner forestays may need running backstays.
practical-sailor.com
Electrical and plumbing installation glitches other
Most owners rate the build well, but some report recurring small electrical and plumbing installation problems typical of high-volume production.
practical-sailor.com

Engines & parts

Yanmar 4JH series (4JH, 4JH2/3/4, -E, -TE, -HTE) parts: good

Factory standard engine — you entered “Yanmar 4JHBE”

Widely used and fully supported by Yanmar dealers and distributors; the mixing elbow is treated as a consumable part.

Parts sources: Mack Boring & Parts (Yanmar distributor), Yanmar USA genuine parts

Common problems (1)

Mixing elbow failure exhaust
The exhaust mixing elbow on 4JH engines pits and fails, sometimes within a few hundred hours; owners treat roughly 1000 hours as a practical life and inspect the elbow-to-manifold joint for salt weeping.
cruisersforum.com · jeanneau.proboards.com · facebook.com

Maker’s service schedule (18)

Engine oil & filter change 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	150 hrs	“4.3.3 Inspection Every 150 hours. Replace the engine oil and the clutch lube oil. After the second oil change, the engin” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Replace engine oil filter 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	300 hrs	“4.3.4 Inspection Every 300 Hrs. ... (4) Replacing the Engine Oil and Lube Oil Filter (See 4.3.1(1))” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Transmission fluid change 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	150 hrs	“4.3.3 Inspection Every 150 hours. Replace the engine oil and the clutch lube oil.” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Fuel filters & water separator 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	300 hrs	“4.3.4 Inspection Every 300 Hrs. (1) Replacing the Fuel Filter” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Drain fuel filter (water/dirt) 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	50 hrs or 1 mo	“4.3.2 Inspection Every 50 Hours (or Monthly) (1) Draining the Fuel Filter” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Raw-water pump impeller 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	1,000 hrs	“Note: The impeller must be replaced periodically (every 1000 hrs.).” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Air filter / intake silencer 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	300 hrs	“4.3.4 Inspection Every 300 Hrs. ... (5) Cleaning the Intake Silencer” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Exhaust mixing elbow inspection 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	300 hrs	“Every 300 hrs ... Clean the exhaust/water mixing elbow” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Drive belts inspect / replace 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	300 hrs	“4.3.4 Inspection Every 300 Hrs. ... (2) Adjusting the Tension of the Cooling Water Pump Driving Belt.” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Valve clearance check / adjust 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	600 hrs	“4.3.5 Inspection Every 600 Hrs. ... (3) Inspection and Adjustment of Intake/Exhaust Valve Clearance.” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Injector test / service 4JH3E / 4JH3(B)E / 4JH3(C)E	600 hrs	“4.3.5 Inspection Every 600 Hrs. ... (4) Inspecting and Adjusting the Fuel Injection Spray Condition.” — manufacturer, catalina380.org
Fuel filters & water separator 4JH2E / 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE	300 hrs	“Replace the element every 300 hours of operation.” — manufacturer, mason44.com
Replace engine oil filter 4JH2E / 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE	300 hrs	“Oil filter replacement period ... Every 300 hours of engine operation” — manufacturer, mason44.com
Transmission fluid change 4JH2E / 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE	150 hrs	“Change the oil after the first 50 hours of operation, and every 150 hours of operation thereafter.” — manufacturer, mason44.com
Air filter / intake silencer 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE (turbo)	300 hrs	“Cleaning and Every 300 hours inspection of air filter” — manufacturer, mason44.com
Turbocharger inspection 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE (turbo)	150 hrs	“Clean the blower: Everv 150 hours” — manufacturer, mason44.com
Turbocharger disassembly, cleaning and inspection 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE (turbo)	6,000 hrs or 1 yr	“3 months or 6 months or 12 months or 1500 hours 3000 hours 6000 hours ... Disassembly, cleaning and inspection of entire” — manufacturer, mason44.com
Thermostat: inspect every 500 h; replace every year or 2000 h 4JH2E / 4JH2-TE / 4JH2-HTE / 4JH2-DTE	2,000 hrs or 1 yr	“Replace the thermostat every year or 2000 hours of operation (whichever comes first).” — manufacturer, mason44.com

Service part numbers (11)

Oil filter	Yanmar 129150-35170 Replaces 129150-35153	“129150-35170 Oil Filter” — dealer, oldportmarine.com · “Yanmar Oil Filter 129150-35170 Marine Diesel 4JH 4JHE 4JH3” — dealer, dieselitems.com
Fuel filter non-turbo E models (4JHE, 4JH2E, 4JH3E, 4JH4E)	Yanmar 129470-55810 Replaces 129470-55703	“129470-55810 Fuel Filter” — dealer, oldportmarine.com · “It fits Yanmar 3HM35F, 3JH2E, 4JH3, 4JH4-HTE, 4JH4E, 4JHE, 4TNE84T engines. Cross Reference: 129470-55703” — dealer, deltadieselparts.com
Fuel filter 4JH4-TE / 4JH4-HTE (2007 on)	Yanmar 129574-55711	“Fuel Filter Element 1 129574-55711” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “4JH4-TE/HTE Basic Service Kit ... Fuel filter 129574-55711” — dealer, oldportmarine.com
Raw-water impeller JH3 and JH4 generation (4JH3, 4JH4-E, -AE, -TE, -HTE)	Yanmar 129670-42531	“Impeller 1 129670-42531 / Impeller Gasket 1 119773-42570” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “Impeller (129670-42531) & O-ring box kit, including face plate screws and lubricant.” — dealer, oldportmarine.com
Raw-water impeller earlier 4JH and 4JH2 generation	Yanmar 129470-42532	“Impeller 1 129470-42532 / Impeller Gasket 1 24341-000600” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “Replaces: Impeller Numbers 129470-42530 , 129470-42531 , 129470-42532 ... Fits ... 4JHE , 4JH-TE , 4JH2E” — dealer, staycoolpumps.com
Drive belt 4JH2E, 4JH3E, 4JH4-AE; 4JH4-TE before July 2006	Yanmar 25132-004600	“Alternator Belt 1 25132-004600” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “25132-004600 Belt” — dealer, oldportmarine.com
Drive belt 4JH4-E	Yanmar 25152-004300	“Alternator Belt 1 25152-004300” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “25152-004300 Belt” — dealer, oldportmarine.com
Drive belt 4JH4-TE from July 2006 to serial E15601 (also 4JH4-HTE per Sea Sierra)	Yanmar 129671-42280	“Alternator Belt V-Belt 1 129671-42280 July 2006 > / < E15601” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “Alternator Belt for Yanmar 4JH4-TE and 4JH4-HTE (Replaces 129671-42280E, 129671-42280)” — dealer, seasierra.com
Drive belt 4JH4-TE / 4JH4-HTE from serial E15602 (120 A alternator)	Yanmar 129671-77680	“Alternator Belt Flat Belt 1 129671-77680 E15602 >” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “129671-77680 Serp Belt starting s/n # E15602” — dealer, oldportmarine.com
Air filter all except 4JH4-E	Yanmar 129470-12330	“Air Filter Element 1 129470-12330” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “It fits Yanmar 4JH110, 4JH2-TE, 4JH4-HTE, 4JH4-TE, 4JH80, 4JHE engines.” — dealer, deltadieselparts.com
Thermostat	Yanmar 129470-49801	“Thermostat 1 129470-49801 / Thermostat Gasket 1 129795-49551 / 129150-49811” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “compatible with ... 4JH2-E, 4JH2-HTE, 4JH2-TE, ... 4JH3-E, 4JH3-HTE, 4JH3-TE, 4JH4AE, 4JH4-E, 4JH4-TE, ... 4JH-E” — dealer, shop.marinedieselinc.com

From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.

Steering

Edson — Pedestal chain-and-wire steering parts: good

Edson (New Bedford, MA) still sells service parts: chain-and-wire kits, sprockets, idlers, pull-pull conduit steering and internal pedestal parts, and keeps steering data sheets by boat model, many decades old.

Parts sources: Edson Marine (service parts)

Common problems (3)

Old or slack steering wire steering
Edson advises replacing steering wire about every five years, checking tension with the wheel locked, and inspecting under load annually; owners often find decades-old stiff wire.
usna.edu · youtube.com
Lubrication and fastener checks steering
Chain, wire, sheaves and pedestal bearings need regular oiling or greasing, and clevis/cotter pins and bolts should be checked monthly to avoid failures.
usna.edu
Replacing engine control cables in the pedestal steering
Swapping throttle/shift cables inside an Edson pedestal is a common owner job requiring removal of the wheel shaft sprocket pin.
forums.sailboatowners.com

Edson — Traditional geared steerers (worm / rack-and-pinion) parts: good

Edson says its traditional wheels and geared steerers are still available, now built with modern materials; rack-and-pinion steerers are offered for transom-hung and inboard rudders.

Parts sources: Edson Marine (traditional steerers)

Model sources (21)

sailboatdata.com · practical-sailor.com · catalinayachts.com · catalinayachts.com · murrayyachtsales.com · sailboatlistings.com · listingsport.com · sailboatdata.com · edwardsyachtsales.com · yachtr.com · denisonyachtsales.com · yachtworld.com · denisonyachtsales.com · martinboxmarine.com.au · seattleyachts.com · boattrader.com · catalinadirect.com · thefosterjourney.blog · tapatalk.com · catalinadirect.com · edsonmarine.com

Own a Catalina 42? Add her to your boats, then share a photo — names, numbers and faces are blurred before it appears.

Other Catalina models

Catalina 22 1969–?
Catalina 25 1976–?
Catalina 27 1970–1991
Catalina 30 1974–2008
Catalina 320 1993–?
Catalina 34 1985–?
Catalina 36 1982–?
Catalina 380 1996–?
Catalina 400 1994–?

Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.