My husband and I currently have a Catalina 34 (1987), and are very interested in either a new Hunter 38 or the Catalina 375. Does anyone have any information regarding these two models that would help us decide?
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Perception
I had some Perception issues with the quality of one of the brands you looking at and after spending this season in Northport harbor i have come to believe that both of them hold up well
And the one i thought to be of lower quality is holding up very well and raced hard over many years, As i dont want to put any other Perception issues into it that is all i will say
I had some Perception issues with the quality of one of the brands you looking at and after spending this season in Northport harbor i have come to believe that both of them hold up well
And the one i thought to be of lower quality is holding up very well and raced hard over many years, As i dont want to put any other Perception issues into it that is all i will say
What is your criteria?
How can anybody know what you want? A significant difference between the 2 of them is that the Catalina 375 is a mast head rig. The Hunter 38 is a fractional B&R rig with a full roach mainsail. Do you have a preference?
How can anybody know what you want? A significant difference between the 2 of them is that the Catalina 375 is a mast head rig. The Hunter 38 is a fractional B&R rig with a full roach mainsail. Do you have a preference?
catalina 375
ptgrin, you can go to Borders and pick up nice reading article on Catalina 375 in Sailing magazine of July 08 it is short article. Cruising World of June 08 has article to read on Catalina 375. I myself like 375 because Frank Bulter went around to other Catalina owners ask them what they wanted in their Catalina boats, that how 375 came about.
ptgrin, you can go to Borders and pick up nice reading article on Catalina 375 in Sailing magazine of July 08 it is short article. Cruising World of June 08 has article to read on Catalina 375. I myself like 375 because Frank Bulter went around to other Catalina owners ask them what they wanted in their Catalina boats, that how 375 came about.
Is your 34 up for sale?
Hey PT Grin, no info on the boats.. just wondering if you have your 34 posted for sale? fob66@cogeco.ca
Hey PT Grin, no info on the boats.. just wondering if you have your 34 posted for sale? fob66@cogeco.ca
IMHO
They are both nice roomy comfortable boats. I think if it were me, I would pick by which one I liked best. Quite frankly they are about equal in build quality. I am not a big fan of the roller furling main on the Hunters, but have no experience with that system on the Catalina. They both have their strong points, so pick the one that suits you best.
They are both nice roomy comfortable boats. I think if it were me, I would pick by which one I liked best. Quite frankly they are about equal in build quality. I am not a big fan of the roller furling main on the Hunters, but have no experience with that system on the Catalina. They both have their strong points, so pick the one that suits you best.
Why these two?
Just curious, but since you are consider two of the three main production boats, why did you eliminate Beneteau?
Just curious, but since you are consider two of the three main production boats, why did you eliminate Beneteau?
I would certainly
give strong consideration to either one of them, depending upon what it would be that I were looking for in a boat. Of course, I would want to do a sea trial on both of them. The pictures and perception of the 375 from the review in the Cruising World article made it look like a very spacious and comfortable boat. I would need to see it for certain. I own a 387 and have come to find out that during hot weather, the Master Cabin in the back end has a ventilation system that sucks when on the hook and there is little breeze outside. That usually sends us to the forward v-berth or we drop the dining table and convert that to a berth for more of a breeze, or we button up, fire up the gen set and turn on the AC. I notice that the 375 has put the owners cabin up front, maybe for that reason, certainly there is more head room, since that berth in the back is under the cockpit. I don't know about the Hunter, there are some things that I have seen in Hunters that I think are better than in the Catalinas.
Also, I would want to see how they did under sail. The CruiseWorld article said that the 375 performed quite well. I would want to verify it did, and compare it to the Hunter as well.
I would also consider lots of things like water and fuel capacity, all the perks, bells and whistles, etc.
The head on the 387 if it is a Newport 1600 is a piece of junk, you can plan on rebuilding once a year to the tune of $80 for a rebuild kit if you use the boat as much as we do. I don't know what kind of head is in either the 375 or the 38.
I guess it is easier to find the faults than the perks after you have had a boat for awhile. All and all, I am somewhat pleased with the Catalina, but I have never owned a Hunter, so I can't give a fair evaluation and comparison of the two.
give strong consideration to either one of them, depending upon what it would be that I were looking for in a boat. Of course, I would want to do a sea trial on both of them. The pictures and perception of the 375 from the review in the Cruising World article made it look like a very spacious and comfortable boat. I would need to see it for certain. I own a 387 and have come to find out that during hot weather, the Master Cabin in the back end has a ventilation system that sucks when on the hook and there is little breeze outside. That usually sends us to the forward v-berth or we drop the dining table and convert that to a berth for more of a breeze, or we button up, fire up the gen set and turn on the AC. I notice that the 375 has put the owners cabin up front, maybe for that reason, certainly there is more head room, since that berth in the back is under the cockpit. I don't know about the Hunter, there are some things that I have seen in Hunters that I think are better than in the Catalinas.
Also, I would want to see how they did under sail. The CruiseWorld article said that the 375 performed quite well. I would want to verify it did, and compare it to the Hunter as well.
I would also consider lots of things like water and fuel capacity, all the perks, bells and whistles, etc.
The head on the 387 if it is a Newport 1600 is a piece of junk, you can plan on rebuilding once a year to the tune of $80 for a rebuild kit if you use the boat as much as we do. I don't know what kind of head is in either the 375 or the 38.
I guess it is easier to find the faults than the perks after you have had a boat for awhile. All and all, I am somewhat pleased with the Catalina, but I have never owned a Hunter, so I can't give a fair evaluation and comparison of the two.
Hunter
Look them both over real well and see which layout
you like best and check quality.
We looked at the three cat,benn and hunter,felt the hunters
gave you alot more for the same money.
The Hunters are easier to sail and handle.
Compare price from the two dealers.
Its really hard for us to tell you which one is better,
you will hear good and bad about both.
I love Hunters and others love Catalina,so which one
is the best one for you,you already own a catalina but looking at
Hunter ??????.
I have heard some catalina owners switch to hunters for many different
reasons,nice layout,easy sailing,built well and great price.
Good Luck and let us know how you made your choice.
Nick
Look them both over real well and see which layout
you like best and check quality.
We looked at the three cat,benn and hunter,felt the hunters
gave you alot more for the same money.
The Hunters are easier to sail and handle.
Compare price from the two dealers.
Its really hard for us to tell you which one is better,
you will hear good and bad about both.
I love Hunters and others love Catalina,so which one
is the best one for you,you already own a catalina but looking at
Hunter ??????.
I have heard some catalina owners switch to hunters for many different
reasons,nice layout,easy sailing,built well and great price.
Good Luck and let us know how you made your choice.
Nick
Hunter Vs Catalina
You might want to look at used prices of Catalinas vs Hunters. Same size boats etc. It was a factor when I bought my Catalina 34. It appeared then that catalina held its value a lot better than the Hunter. Terry
You might want to look at used prices of Catalinas vs Hunters. Same size boats etc. It was a factor when I bought my Catalina 34. It appeared then that catalina held its value a lot better than the Hunter. Terry
both ok boats
Which do you like better, why? Make a list and put the good points of each boat down. Then pick based on some kind of scoring system. The are both enter level production boats.
Which do you like better, why? Make a list and put the good points of each boat down. Then pick based on some kind of scoring system. The are both enter level production boats.
another consideration not already mentioned
It isn't always a good idea to be the first one with a new boat. Just as with automobiles, the mfgs made subtle changes between models and often rely upon the customer as a beta tester to see if their mods work. As the Catalina you mention is new this year, you might want to factor that into your decision-making.
It isn't always a good idea to be the first one with a new boat. Just as with automobiles, the mfgs made subtle changes between models and often rely upon the customer as a beta tester to see if their mods work. As the Catalina you mention is new this year, you might want to factor that into your decision-making.
Check the ratios
Depending on where you are sailing, I suggest you also compare some vital ratios: AVS (Angle of Vanishing Stability), Capsize Ratio and Motion Comfort. No idea how either boat stacks up, but these vary greatly between boats and can make all the difference in a heavy seaway - more important than a pretty set of cushions....
check this website for excellent info on these ratios.
Depending on where you are sailing, I suggest you also compare some vital ratios: AVS (Angle of Vanishing Stability), Capsize Ratio and Motion Comfort. No idea how either boat stacks up, but these vary greatly between boats and can make all the difference in a heavy seaway - more important than a pretty set of cushions....
check this website for excellent info on these ratios.
Having sailed both
With Hunters, a lot depends on the designer. Some sailed well, many did not. There are some good sailing Hunters and then some real pigs.
All the Catalinas are at least decent sailing boats - something that cannot be said for Hunter.
So it comes down to what is important to you. If you want comfort and are willing to sacrifice sailing performance, go with Hunter. If you want decent (not a hot rod) performance and are willing to let a little luxury go by, then the Catalina is the boat for you.
With Hunters, a lot depends on the designer. Some sailed well, many did not. There are some good sailing Hunters and then some real pigs.
All the Catalinas are at least decent sailing boats - something that cannot be said for Hunter.
So it comes down to what is important to you. If you want comfort and are willing to sacrifice sailing performance, go with Hunter. If you want decent (not a hot rod) performance and are willing to let a little luxury go by, then the Catalina is the boat for you.
lfty sailor
You do have to decide for yourself in terms of which one better fits your sailing needs. But when I was shopping Hunter vs Beneteau vs Catalina I decided on the Hunter 38. why?
*most of the time it is just my wife and me. I much prefer the vertical batten furling main with the small jib then the Catalina layout tacking that big, heavy genoa
* the design of the H 38 is quite sleek and elegant. I really like Glenn Henderson's work. Long waterline. The boat seems quite light on its feet for its size, much more so than the C or B.
*only Hunter reinforces the forward section of the hull in kevlar. Just an extra measure of safety in the case of hitting an underwater object.
*the dealer. Local Hunter dealer has been carrying the brand since the 1980s and consistently wind service and customer satisfaction awards.
You do have to decide for yourself in terms of which one better fits your sailing needs. But when I was shopping Hunter vs Beneteau vs Catalina I decided on the Hunter 38. why?
*most of the time it is just my wife and me. I much prefer the vertical batten furling main with the small jib then the Catalina layout tacking that big, heavy genoa
* the design of the H 38 is quite sleek and elegant. I really like Glenn Henderson's work. Long waterline. The boat seems quite light on its feet for its size, much more so than the C or B.
*only Hunter reinforces the forward section of the hull in kevlar. Just an extra measure of safety in the case of hitting an underwater object.
*the dealer. Local Hunter dealer has been carrying the brand since the 1980s and consistently wind service and customer satisfaction awards.
Go Hunter
It's really up to you but I can tell you that I bought the 38 when it first came out (Red Boot Strip & Tan Canvas) and I am not sorry. Boat sails well, all the through hull fittings are in one place and everything is easy to get at for repair.
Hunter has been excellent on taking care of me after the sale. I know some owners of the B & C class that bought boats at the same time and have had more trouble and less service. Depends on the dealer, however Hunter came through on two major issues and it didn't cost me a dime.
My sailing buddy who has owned Catalina's for over 30 years switch to a Hunter this year (310). Said he was tired of being passed by Hunters. Roller furling and vertical batten should be the same on both boats, however the main is bigger on the Hunter.
Do what you got to do. Whatever you do, it will be the right choice. Good Luck.
It's really up to you but I can tell you that I bought the 38 when it first came out (Red Boot Strip & Tan Canvas) and I am not sorry. Boat sails well, all the through hull fittings are in one place and everything is easy to get at for repair.
Hunter has been excellent on taking care of me after the sale. I know some owners of the B & C class that bought boats at the same time and have had more trouble and less service. Depends on the dealer, however Hunter came through on two major issues and it didn't cost me a dime.
My sailing buddy who has owned Catalina's for over 30 years switch to a Hunter this year (310). Said he was tired of being passed by Hunters. Roller furling and vertical batten should be the same on both boats, however the main is bigger on the Hunter.
Do what you got to do. Whatever you do, it will be the right choice. Good Luck.
Having been on a C375 at a boat show
I wrote a report on it. We have a C34.
See the link, both pages.
I do not know about the H38.
I wrote a report on it. We have a C34.
See the link, both pages.
I do not know about the H38.
CATALINA
Its up to you. I like Catalinas Over Hunters. I feel Catalinas sail better and look better.
Its up to you. I like Catalinas Over Hunters. I feel Catalinas sail better and look better.
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