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Catana 42 review
Catamaran · 42 ft (13 m) · Nha Trang
expert score
Key specs
- Builder
- Catana
- Model
- Catana 42
- Length
- 42 ft (13 m)
- Guests
- 6
- Cabins
- 4
Verdict
The Catana 42 is a light, performance-oriented cruising catamaran with strong sailing credentials, shallow draft versatility, and practical accommodation for a family or small charter group. Its age shows in interior volume and systems compared with newer cats, but it remains a capable and appealing fast cruiser.
Pros
- +Light displacement and efficient sail plan for lively performance
- +Boards up draft suits shallow anchorages and cruising grounds
- +Good load-bearing cruising range for fuel and water
- +Decent layout for 6 guests with up to 4 cabins
- +Twin engines aid docking and low-speed control
Cons
- −Older design with less interior volume than modern catamarans
- −Comfort is more functional than luxurious by current standards
- −Performance-focused build can mean a firmer motion in some conditions
- −Used examples may vary widely in condition and refit quality
The Catana 42 is a Christophe Barreau-designed fast cruising catamaran from the late 1980s, built around light displacement, a relatively narrow beam for its length, and daggerboard-style appendages that support upwind efficiency. Publicly listed specifications place the boat at about 12.6m LOA, 6.9m beam, 8.9 tonnes displacement, and a draft ranging from roughly 0.8m with boards up to 2.7m with boards down.
On the water, the Catana 42 is regarded as a performance-focused multihull rather than a heavy liveaboard platform. The sail plan is generous for the size, and the twin engines make maneuvering and marina handling easier than on many single-engine cruising sailboats. The trade-off is that the sailing experience is tuned more toward speed and efficiency than soft-motion comfort.
Inside, the 42 offers practical space for six guests and can be found in 3- to 4-cabin layouts, but it is an older-generation catamaran and does not match the volume, finish, or natural light of newer designs. That said, tankage and systems capacity are solid for cruising, and the boat’s lower weight and simpler structure can be an advantage for owners who value sailing performance over apartment-like accommodations. For buyers, value depends heavily on survey findings, refit history, and rig/sail condition.
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