Catalina 27mk vs Hunter?

[Ron J]

I, along with two other parties, am considering purchasing a 1974 27' Catalina for use in the waters of Green Bay. We are having a debate as to the relative sailing abilities of that boat versus a Hunter of similar age and size. Can anyone give me any insights?

 

[Trevor]

Sail Calculator

There are a number of such sites I'm sure, but check out the link below for a fun comparison of many makes of sailboats. Trevor

 

[Ron F.]

rating boats

A quick way to get a relative idea between the two boats is to find out the PHRF ratings of the boats. This handicaping system is used when a variety of sail boats race against each other. The lower the rating, the less handicap required, hence, the "faster" the boat. I made sound simplistic here (no offense to the racers).It would be worth while getting, if available, the published surveys on the boats from Practical Sailor. This is a publication that does not sell advertisment and evaluates boats and boat related products; particular to sailing. I have found that they are our consumer reports. They are fair, and more often than not correct in their evaluations. The reports are not free but worth the money.Talk to local surveyors who routinely inspect sailboats. They can be a great resource.Do not go on the sailboat forum via Yachtworld. Those guys are baised and very opinionated against Hunter.I spent alot of time before I bought my C-27, 1982 #5110. Do the research upfront... then don't look back, just enjoy it.

 

[Dick]

Racing or Cruising?

Depending on what it is you pimarily want to do with the boat may determine which suites your purpose best. However, with a boat that's 27 years old there are three equally if not more important things to consider. CONDITION,,,CONDITION,,,,CONDITION. Racing handicaps will help with the parity but that won't help if the boat is a wreck. Having any boat that size and age surveyed is money well spent, especially if divided by three. Best of luck.

 

[Dick]

I agree

I agree with Ron F. Many of the sailboat forums have participants who believe in verablly abusing folks who love to sail but can't afford the J-Boats, Sabres, Tartans,etc. These snobs even go to the length of personnaly badmouthing the intelligence of anyone who would even consider buying a production boat, new or used. I reality they disguise their sense of superiority with the false intent of saving you from a fate worse than death, ownership of a production boat. Define your requirements, then have a great time sailing. After all, that's what is really all about.

 

[Ron J]

Thanks!

You fellas gave good advice. I got a copy of the survey on the Catalina (sound hull, deck, rigging, some normal wear and tear, evidence of good maintenance). One of my concerns was that the boat would not sail well to wind (a boat-snob brother-in-law insists production boats generally won't). Unless I learn otherwise, it seems the old Catalina's did just fine. This boat will primarily be a family cruiser, but you never know when the racing bug will bite (I race Thistles only because I owned one and tooling around on a lake by myself was getting dull). Thanks again for your help. Let me know if there is anything else I should know.