1997 1997 Catalina 400

Step below and you immediately notice how bright and open this 400 feels, with generous coachroof windows and well-placed hatches that keep air moving even on still days. The walk-around queen in the aft cabin makes it feel far more like a small apartment than a typical cruiser, and there’s ample storage for longer trips—lockers, shelves, and deep compartments that actually swallow cruising gear. On deck, the wide side decks and inboard shrouds make moving forward secure and simple, even when reefing in a blow. The twin wheels give clear sightlines past the dodger and a straight, unobstructed path to the swim step, where the scoop transom makes boarding the dinghy or taking a swim unusually easy for a boat of this vintage.

This Catalina 400 is particularly well suited to local waters that offer a mix of light-air afternoons, brisk afternoon sea breezes, and the occasional fog bank. The generous sail plan and efficient underbody keep her moving when the wind goes soft, while her solid build and stable hull form inspire confidence when it pipes up. Twin wheels and a walk-through transom make docking in tight marinas and raft-ups more relaxed, and the roomy cockpit is ideal for day sails with friends between nearby harbors. Below, the two-cabin, two-head layout turns weekend escapes into comfortable mini-cruises, with space for guests or family without feeling crowded.