Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989?

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 is the longer of the two at 43,2 feet overall. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 comes in at 29,1 feet, making it roughly 14,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989?

For trailering, the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 has the edge at 10 300 lbs dry weight versus 20 503 lbs for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 has a documented max rating of 54 hp. Engine specifications for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 is certified for 13. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat has the deeper draft — the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989?

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 has the deeper draft at 4,1 ft, versus 3,1 ft for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986. A deeper draft generally means better upwind performance and stability, but limits access to shallow anchorages and some marina berths. Always check the controlling depth of your home port and favourite cruising grounds before committing.

Q: Which is the faster sailboat — the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989?

Based on rated hull speed, the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 has an edge at 8,0 knots versus 6,7 knots for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986. Keep in mind that actual sailing speed depends heavily on wind conditions, sail trim, bottom condition, and skipper experience — hull speed is a theoretical maximum, not a guarantee.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 measures 157" wide, compared to 121" for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Are the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 and Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 and the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 are built by Catalina Yachts. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989

Catalina Yachts

Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986

1986

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Catalina Yachts

Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989

1989

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 measures 43,2 feet overall (1989), giving it roughly 14,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 at 29,1 feet (1986). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 tips the scales at 20 503 lbs — 10 203 lbs less than the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 at 10 300 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 tops out at 54 hp. Engine specs for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 could be the deciding factor.

Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 displaces 20 503 lbs — a 10 203-lb difference over the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 at 10 300 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.

Both boats draw a similar depth — 3,1 ft and 4,1 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 uses Sloop rigging. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 has a documented auxiliary engine of 54 hp.

Hull speed is rated at 8,0 knots for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 and 6,7 knots for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986.

Bottom line: The Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 20 503 lbs displacement and 43 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 at 10 300 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.

Measurements / Dimensions

Length overall - Detail29.11 ft

Length overall - Detail43.20 ft

Length - Feet29.11

Length - Feet43.2

Length overall - Meters8.87

Length overall - Meters13.17

Length overall - Inches349

Length overall - Inches518

Beam10.10 ft

Beam13.10 ft

Beam - Meters3.08

Beam - Meters3.99

Beam - Inches121

Beam - Inches157

Draft [max] - Detail3.10 ft

Draft [max] - Detail4.10 ft

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Meters1.25

Draft [max] - Inches37

Draft [max] - Inches49

Displacement10300.00 lbs

Displacement20503.00 lbs

Body / Hull

Rudder1 spade rudder

Helm1 wheel

Performance

Maximum speed6.7

Maximum speed8.04

Maximum speed measureknots

Operational Info

RiggingSloop

Mast ConfigurationDeck stepped mast

Boat typeSail

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity111

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal11.1

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters42.02

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal46

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters174.13

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower54 hp

Drive typenot available

Drive typeinboard

Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989?

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 is the longer of the two at 43,2 feet overall. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 comes in at 29,1 feet, making it roughly 14,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989?

For trailering, the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 has the edge at 10 300 lbs dry weight versus 20 503 lbs for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 has a documented max rating of 54 hp. Engine specifications for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 is certified for 13. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat has the deeper draft — the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989?

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 has the deeper draft at 4,1 ft, versus 3,1 ft for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986. A deeper draft generally means better upwind performance and stability, but limits access to shallow anchorages and some marina berths. Always check the controlling depth of your home port and favourite cruising grounds before committing.

Is the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 better suited for offshore sailing?

For offshore work, displacement and construction are the primary indicators. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 at 20 503 lbs displacement is the heavier, more load-carrying design — generally better suited to extended passages where seakeeping and provisioning capacity matter most. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 at 10 300 lbs will typically be livelier and more responsive in lighter conditions.

Which is the faster sailboat — the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989?

Based on rated hull speed, the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 has an edge at 8,0 knots versus 6,7 knots for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986. Keep in mind that actual sailing speed depends heavily on wind conditions, sail trim, bottom condition, and skipper experience — hull speed is a theoretical maximum, not a guarantee.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 measures 157" wide, compared to 121" for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Are the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 and Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 and the Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 are built by Catalina Yachts. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1986 full specs ← Catalina Yachts Catalina 42 - Wing Keel Wing Keel 1989 full specs