Catalina 36 or Hunter 37?

[jimm22n]

Unsure if this should be BIG boat or MID-SIZE boat post...

Hi All,

I’m Jim and I love to sail. I learned to sail in small day sailors; 420, Laser, and 14-17’ day sailors in Norfolk VA in the early nineties. I’ve had an FJ-14’, two fixer uppers Catalina 22 & 27 neither of which did I actually sail, and a very nice Catalina 25.

I’m 6’3” and I like my space. My fiancée and I are in our fifties and we don’t want to buy any more boats after this so we want to gain information in the hopes of getting it right. Our budget will be not much more than 60k when we purchase next summer after we get married. Our goal will be hanging out at the marina on the weekends and some Texas Gulf Coast inland waterway sails. We are in Corpus Christi TX. She and I hope to do “The Great Loop” in aprox 7 years when we both retire. We want something big enough to be comfortable inside but easily controllable. We’d like an aft cabin, walk-thru transom, and a wing keel for the ICW and Loop should we actually go.

My question is: What is your opinion of the newer 37’ Hunters? I like the large aft cabin with its room to move about in and its vertical clearance. Is it bigger than the room available in the back of a Catalina 36? Can a decent newer (1992 forward) in great shape be had for less than 50k? I’m also asking around on the Catalina pages and am at this point just seeking firsthand knowledge. I don’t have a preference one over the other. Heck, if I was planning a circumnavigation and had a boat load of money I’d get a Downeast 38’ cuz they are beautiful, a 42’ Vagabond, or a Trans World (William Garden) 41’. Since that isn’t the case I’ll just stick with the Hunter or Catalina.

I’ll be reading all the past posts from both pages and gathering my thoughts to an opinion for a purchase nest summer so thanks in advance!

Thanks,
Jim

 

[rtshinn]

Sounds like the exact thing I'd like to do, but I'll be starting from Ohio. I'm thinking a Hunter 33. I think you'll want a shoal draft of 5 ft or less if you are doing the loop.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

It seems to me the difference(s) between the two are trivial compared with considerations such as condition and equipment. My view is shop for whatever you like, narrow the search down to a couple of choices as you have done and pick the one which has been maintained the best. Your ownership experience won't change based on the nameplate but will vary depending on which is better equipped and maintained.

 

[Steve Walsh]

In my view only a couple of things stand out between those brands/sizes in the early to mid-90's: The Hunter has a smaller cockpit, not as much room to stretch out on the cockpit lazarettes as the Catalina. The Hunter, depending on the year, may have an anodized toe rail instead of a the rubber rub rail that they went to in later years. I've seen a few of those rubber rub rails peeled off by a piling during docking and I think the anodized combination toe/rub rail provides more protection during docking and + holes to clip something to. The Catalina will probably have a Universal diesel engine which is based on a Kubota tractor engine, many parts are available from your Kubota dealer and NAPA. The Yanmar in the Hunter will be a little quieter, smoother and parts more expensive. Walk-thru transoms are very handy, we really liked that feature on the Beneteaus we bare-boat chartered in the BVI's. Also, the Hunter arch is pretty cool for mounting the bimini, speakers, traveler and provides additional handholds. Most of these are small differences. Enjoy the search!

 

[ben solomon]

I have a hunter legend 37.5, 1990. My son is 6'4" and he is constantly banging his head. That said, I love how my boat sails. She is easily handled, sea kindly, speedy (7.5 knots in 15 on a reach) and I love the aluminum toe rail! I clip the preventer to it, I tie the fenders to it, and it is great when we dock. I even tie my spring lines to it. It has kept some folks from going overboard at times of heeling, too. Also, there is a lot of boat squeezed in. The galley is roomy. But.....headroom is an issue.

Ben

 

[jwieneck]

Take a look at my 1998 Hunter 376 for sale in Punta Gorda, Florida. I was getting her ready for that kind of long term cruising when the Admiral said buy a bigger boat. Many of my cruising friends have Catalina 36's. Seems the thing they say they like about my boat is the aft cabin is much bigger and you can enter from the galley or the head. I have the "Fishermans" cocpits which is bigger. Just added radar, E95 Chartplotter etc. very well equipped. She was a freshwater boat until May 2012. The list new stuff is long but electic head and a full enclosure with screens area also something my Catalina friends like. Go to YachtWorld type in 1998 Hunter 376

 

[jimm22n]

I see it Joe, thanks! I will be getting married next July so no boat at all till after that. The $ is a bit out of my price range. I have a nice Grumman Cheetah for sale and if that goes then maybe I can ask the prospective Admiral but we're looking at no more than 60k. (I suspect I won't spend more than 50k in the end). Looks like a beautiful boat and you have quite the sailing/racing resume! I know you had fun on the Mac races! If I wind up with one I'll be asking you plenty of questions! Not at all sure on Catalina vs Hunter but Hunters have more space in every dimension.

 

[ben solomon]

A center cockpit hunter will help with the headroom.

Ben

 

[jwieneck]

no worries

The Mac was good this year "no storm" which is not the norm. All down wind for the most part. We finished 5th out of 15 so not bad but disappointing. Only an hour behind oh well. Some advice that was given to me that I did not take but should have "think bigger than you think you want" If you spend a lot of time on it and the loop would be that that extra room makes a difference. Good luck