79 Hunter 25 or 82 Catalina 25

[JanS48]

Greetings - I'm torn between purchasing a 79 Hunter 25 that looks to be in good condition vs a Catalina 25 also in good condition. Both are the fin keel models - I'm leaning towards the Catalina since it sports a slightly larger cockpit.

Any words of wisdom or opinions most welcome.

Anyone know which would sail better ? Point higher?

Thanks in advance
- Jan

 

[Peck]

Larger cockpit is what you will miss all the time

 

[hewebb]

I have a Catalina 25 and there is a lot of support for these boats. Down side of the Catalina 25 is the lack of headroom. Cockpits are seldom big enough in smaller boats. No experience on Hunters.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I have a Catalina 25 and there is a lot of support for these boats. Down side of the Catalina 25 is the lack of headroom. Cockpits are seldom big enough in smaller boats. No experience on Hunters.

Support is very important, no need to reinvent the wheel.

http://catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=3

Most have pop tops, helps. Three different layouts down below, ours was the traditional and with the table up it was a ballroom. Had her for 13 years! Fixed keel, very nice boat to sail and cruise, we did weeks at a time on her.

There was a thread here just last week on this same question, do a search on Catalina 25 and you'll find it, same answers apply.

Oh, OK, here it is:

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1159307&highlight=Catalina 25

Good luck, happy hunting.

 

[Benny17441]

In that boat class I would go for the larger cockpit as this is where most activities aboard will take place.

 

[markwbird]

I've had both. The Catalina is more comfy but the Hunter sails better. I got rid of the Catalina for the Hunter because I like to race. With that said, my C-25 was a swing keel with a standard (short mast) rig so it did not sail all that well. I did miss the room, though.