I'm trying to decide whether to buy a Catalina 30 or a Hunter 29.5 (used, both 1995) I have not sailed neither, It mainly will be my wife & I with occational guests. Our major sailing would be between Savannah, Ga and the Fl Keys. We want a solid "fast" boat but also confortable. I read that 29.5 is ABS approved (it says so in the brochure) however the dealer of Catalina indicated that their boat is also ABS certified plus their rigging is stronger and could take weather better on a dryer cockpit. Please advise! Any comment would be greatly appreciated. Thank You! Nico
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Please advise:
Nico: Please advise: Their rigging is stronger than what? Do they mean that they have larger size cables? Bigger mast?
Nico: Please advise: Their rigging is stronger than what? Do they mean that they have larger size cables? Bigger mast?
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Bob Zolczer
I'd go for the Hunter
I own and sail a '95 29.5. It's a good boat, but is somewhat tender (1st reef in at 15 or so knots windspeed). What sold us on the Hunter over the Catalina 30 was the interior space and layout as well as the cockpit and console. I believe it's a perfect couple's boat.
I own and sail a '95 29.5. It's a good boat, but is somewhat tender (1st reef in at 15 or so knots windspeed). What sold us on the Hunter over the Catalina 30 was the interior space and layout as well as the cockpit and console. I believe it's a perfect couple's boat.
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Mulf
Check out the..
how you do as a couple getting in and out of the aft berth. This is the second summer for my wife and I on our 1997 29.5. I love the boat overall. Unlike the prior post, I do not feel it is tender. You just need to be smart about reefing. The boat sails great with one reef, and I've never needed two. However, we sleep in the aft berth because of it's size but I'm getting tired of crawling over her (she is usually in first and insists on having the outer side) to get in and out of the berth. This is something I will check out on the next (bigger) boat.
how you do as a couple getting in and out of the aft berth. This is the second summer for my wife and I on our 1997 29.5. I love the boat overall. Unlike the prior post, I do not feel it is tender. You just need to be smart about reefing. The boat sails great with one reef, and I've never needed two. However, we sleep in the aft berth because of it's size but I'm getting tired of crawling over her (she is usually in first and insists on having the outer side) to get in and out of the berth. This is something I will check out on the next (bigger) boat.
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Doug Margison
Are the comparibly priced?
I have not sailed a Hunter 29.5, but my wife and I have had a 1990 Hunter 30 for a year now and we love it. Before that we had an older 1979 Catalina 30 for 6 years and we loved it also. The Catalina 30 is a heavier boat, conventional rigged. It handles well at all points of sail for short handed crew. Is very stable in rough weather as the boat is stiff and 10,400lb. displacement. We were once caught in a 40 kt gale and other than being uncomfortable it handled really well and we never felt threatened. Unfortunately the boat was getting on and we wanted to move to a newer boat with more ammenities. We were actually looking for another newer Catalina 30 when we came across our Hunter 30. We found the layout of the Hunter to our liking. A bit more elegant than the Catalina's of the same year, and we really liked the sail handling of the fractional rig. The boat is very stiff and it sails particularly well up wind. I believe they are both great boats in their class. Go with the one the you feel is the more comfortable and handles the best, also considering the relative prices. I believe you will be happy with either boat, and hope it will be a long term love affair! Happy Sailing, Doug, Mokum II
I have not sailed a Hunter 29.5, but my wife and I have had a 1990 Hunter 30 for a year now and we love it. Before that we had an older 1979 Catalina 30 for 6 years and we loved it also. The Catalina 30 is a heavier boat, conventional rigged. It handles well at all points of sail for short handed crew. Is very stable in rough weather as the boat is stiff and 10,400lb. displacement. We were once caught in a 40 kt gale and other than being uncomfortable it handled really well and we never felt threatened. Unfortunately the boat was getting on and we wanted to move to a newer boat with more ammenities. We were actually looking for another newer Catalina 30 when we came across our Hunter 30. We found the layout of the Hunter to our liking. A bit more elegant than the Catalina's of the same year, and we really liked the sail handling of the fractional rig. The boat is very stiff and it sails particularly well up wind. I believe they are both great boats in their class. Go with the one the you feel is the more comfortable and handles the best, also considering the relative prices. I believe you will be happy with either boat, and hope it will be a long term love affair! Happy Sailing, Doug, Mokum II
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Doug
Tall rig and more sail area = tender?
Many people will tell you the hunter is tender at moderate wind levels. Keep in mind that they have very tall masts and large sail areas compared to similiar sized boats. The Catalina 30's at our dock have stubby little masts comparably to even the 28 Hunter. This will make you reef earlier but will also give you the speed you mentioned in light wind. With a 150 genny and roachy main, you will be able to scream by the Catalina in 4-8 knots of wind. If you sail in light and medium winds and want more interior headroom and space the Hunter is probably a better choice. Also, the Hunter has equally as much freeboard as the Cat. so I don't know why the sailing would be any dryer unless the Cat. has a dodger and the Hunter does not. Happy buying and sailing. Doug
Many people will tell you the hunter is tender at moderate wind levels. Keep in mind that they have very tall masts and large sail areas compared to similiar sized boats. The Catalina 30's at our dock have stubby little masts comparably to even the 28 Hunter. This will make you reef earlier but will also give you the speed you mentioned in light wind. With a 150 genny and roachy main, you will be able to scream by the Catalina in 4-8 knots of wind. If you sail in light and medium winds and want more interior headroom and space the Hunter is probably a better choice. Also, the Hunter has equally as much freeboard as the Cat. so I don't know why the sailing would be any dryer unless the Cat. has a dodger and the Hunter does not. Happy buying and sailing. Doug
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Andy Falls
Tender my tail
The 29.5 heels to 15 degrees quickly, but is less tender after that! I was out in solid 15 knot winds Sunday, singlehanded with full main and 150 genoa. It was a very comfortable sail. In the puffs, I had a lot of weather helm and would drop the traveller and sail on.... For single handed, it would be hard to beat the 29.5!
The 29.5 heels to 15 degrees quickly, but is less tender after that! I was out in solid 15 knot winds Sunday, singlehanded with full main and 150 genoa. It was a very comfortable sail. In the puffs, I had a lot of weather helm and would drop the traveller and sail on.... For single handed, it would be hard to beat the 29.5!
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