1988 Chris-Craft 427 Catalina

Step aboard this 427 Catalina and you immediately feel the benefit of that tall, boxy profile: real headroom, wide side decks, and easy movement fore and aft. The aft deck is a true second living space, perfect for sundowners or watching the world slide by under a hardtop instead of a flapping canvas enclosure. Up at the lowerable helm, sightlines are excellent, so easing into tight slips feels far less stressful than on many similar-size aft cabins. Inside, the split-level layout gives each cabin genuine privacy, and the galley-down arrangement keeps cooking mess out of the salon. Generous storage throughout means weekends easily stretch into weeks aboard without feeling cramped.

The 427 Catalina shines in this cruising area because it blends trawler-like comfort with the ability to pick up speed when the weather window allows. The wide beam and substantial displacement help her track steadily through short, confused chop that’s common here, while the raised aft deck and bridge keep you above spray and wake. Deep, secure side decks and stout rails make line handling at varied dock layouts more confident for short-handed crews. With two real staterooms and roomy social spaces, she works beautifully as a floating condo in local marinas, yet still has the range and tankage for relaxed coastal hops between favorite anchorages.