1990 Californian 45 Aft Cabin Motor Yacht — “Proven Looper”
Turn-key and fully equipped for your Great Loop adventure, this iconic 1990 Californian 45 Aft Cabin Motor Yacht combines incredible interior volume with legendary structural integrity. Built on a solid fiberglass modified-V hull, this specific vessel offers the highly desirable Great Loop-friendly clearance (17’3″ FB soft-top and arch clearance) coupled with an exceptionally stable ride in a chop. If you are looking for a tested, reliable coastal cruiser, a comfortable liveaboard, or the ultimate cruising platform for your next voyage, your search ends here.
Overview & Key Specifications
- Length Overall (LOA): 45′ 0″
- Beam: 15′ 2″ (Provides massive interior space)
- Draft: 4′ 0″ (Perfect for skinny Loop waters and the Bahamas)
- Displacement: 40,000 lbs
- Arch Clearance: 17′ 3″ (Safely clears all fixed bridges on the Loop)
- Fuel Capacity: 400-455 Gallons (Diesel)
- Fresh Water: 172-190 Gallons
- Holding Tank: 65-70 Gallons
Propulsion & Mechanical
Powered by reliable, owner-operator preferred twin Caterpillar 3208TA diesel engines. The engine room features outstanding physical access for effortless maintenance and daily checks.
- Engines: Twin Caterpillar 3208TA (375 HP each)
- Generator: Reliable diesel genset for seamless off-grid anchoring
- Hull Design: Solid fiberglass modified-V hull
Interior Accommodations & Layout
Unlike modern raised-deck designs, the Californian features a flush-deck design, giving her a very high freeboard and unmatched safety when walking the side decks. The rich teak woodwork throughout provides a classic, warm, and inviting ambiance.
- Main Salon: Bright, open, and airy layout with massive panoramic opening windows for natural ventilation. It seamlessly connects to the aft deck.
- Aft Master Suite: A true retreat featuring a centerline, walk-around queen-size berth. It boasts abundant hanging lockers, storage, opening ports, and an ensuite head with a private walk-in shower/bath combination.
- Forward VIP Stateroom: Generous centerline queen layout equipped with a dedicated hanging locker, overhead opening hatches for ventilation, and an ensuite private head with a full walk-in shower basin.
- Galley & Dinette (Down): Well-equipped with upgraded full-size refrigerator/freezer, electric stovetop, convection microwave oven, deep sink, and a custom dinette table that comfortably converts to accommodate extra overnight guests.
Deck, Flybridge & Loop Equipment
- Aft Sundeck (California Deck): Completely covered by a standard hardtop and features full enclosure panels. Outfitted with a refrigerator, and a large lounging area perfect for entertaining at the dock or anchor.
- Flybridge: Expansive layout with dual forward-facing helm chairs, full instrumentation, bench seating, and clear visibility for tight locking maneuvers.
- Ground Tackle: Heavy-duty anchor windlass with convenient foot switches and upper flybridge chain counter controls.
- Davit System: Dinghy davit with chocks situated securely on the aft deck for effortless tender deployment and retrieval.
Recent Upgrades, Service & Improvements
New in 2026:
• Aft deck refrigerator
• Replaced AC unit in salon and forward stateroom
• Battery cables and inverter switch
• Hydraulic steering helm at upper helm
• Black water holding tank vent filter
• Lights in aft head and shower
• Flat screen TV for aft stateroom onboard, not yet installed
• Hot water heater
• Replaced hot water lines and connected engine heat-exchange
• 50 amp shore power cord
• Boarding stairs and platform, approximately $10K
• Galley 110V GFI receptacle replaced
• Replaced forward shower sump pump box
• Complete VacuFlush tank maintenance
• Rebuilt head vacuum pump assembly
• New O-rings and gaskets
• VacuFlush switch
• Head black hose replaced
• Head duck bills for all heads
New in 2025:
• Replaced galley refrigerator
• Rebuilt port high-pressure fuel injector
• Serviced all injectors
• Fuel pumped off and polished
• Starboard throttle replaced
• Fuel gauges serviced and repaired
• All thru-hulls and strainers serviced and replaced as needed
• Replaced starboard engine water pump
• Generator water leak serviced
• Bottom and running gear sanded and prepped
• Bottom painted with Seahawk Cukote Black
• Zincs replaced and thru-hulls replaced as needed
• Engine oil and filters changed
• Main engine cooling systems flushed and refilled with new antifreeze
• Rudder packing glands serviced
• Generator serviced, including antifreeze flush/refill and new exhaust elbow
• AC units serviced with manifold/strainer replaced
• Fuel level senders serviced and replaced
• Anchor washdown 1” seacock, thru-hull, and backing plate replaced
• Starboard engine raw water pump and hose replaced
New in 2024:
• Shafts balanced and propellers tuned
• AC raw water pump serviced with seals and gaskets replaced
Current Items / Work in Progress:
• New helm chair ordered
• Flybridge bimini deposit given; work in progress with install date to be scheduled
• Adjustable flybridge helm seats to be delivered and mounted
• Dinghy motor carburetor rebuilt; additional service still needed
• Aft deck sink lines sealed off due to leak; hot and cold water sources remain in place, but new sink and faucet are needed
• Galley trash compactor needs a new latch
Broker’s Comments
“This 1990 Californian 45 is a rare find because it is structurally turn-key and has already successfully handled the rigors of the Great Loop. It avoids the vertical ‘wedding cake’ clearance issues of other aft cabins while offering a massive 15’2” beam that rivals 50-footers in usable living space. She is ready to travel anywhere on her own bottom today!”
