Catalina is better then Hunter or just more money

[David11054]

Chartered Hunter 340 and a recent Catalina 34

Spent a week on each of them. They are both great boats. We had the Catalina in the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior, and the Hunter in the North Channel of Lake Huron.I would not rate either one as a "better" boat. The Admiral and I preferred the Hunter 340 for these reasons:- The sailplan of the main-driven Hunter was much easier to handle. The Admiral was unable to trim the genny on the Catalina, despite very capable winches installed.- The Hunter cockpit (with the arch and layout) was marginally better.- I felt that the split backstay of the Catalina interfered significantly with my comfort in the helm seat.We would charter either boat again in a minute, but would take the Hunter if offered the choice of the two.I must add that our 75-84 H27, designed by John Cherubini cannot be called a "cute cheap little daysailer" as John Dawson alleges. I just got off a 10 day cruise with the Admiral, and then my Dad and two brothers. And the Hunters from that era have held their prices quite well, as have the Catalinas.DavidLady Lillie

 

[John Dawson]

heavy waves

Bligh knew how to take heavy waves, thats all there was to it? How about being able to drop his small mast in minutes, thus becoming a heavy stable lifeboat with 19 men to bail? Sinking? He was in a wooden boat that would float when swamped; the problem would be hanging on in a storm. And he could row thru calms and away from islands known to have cannibals, as I seem to remember. I'm sure he (or Shackleton) would have preferred a nice big Catalina, once he got past the shock of a plastic boat; this discussion has been somewhat derailed, however, by defining a bluewater boat and the statement that boats are all the same and aren't a factor. The original question was which brand is better. I think people who are familiar with the histories of these companies have a (perhaps unfair) opinion of their differences today. I know I am prejudiced by my exposure to their past products and various feedback. I've never owned either but have examined them over the years as a potential buyer, friend of the owner and casual observer of the trade. On one hand they went thru their learning curves like any builder, but they also made choices and tradeoffs in pioneering economical mass-appeal boats. The new buyer would have to really do his research today to get beneath the polished appeal factor and find the differences. He would do well to include a study of boats considered cruisers, bluewater, or quality-built (and perhaps a few dogs) to put most other production boats in perspective. And overall integrity can be hard to pinpoint, but some boats have earned their reputation the hard way.

 

[John Dawson]

Okay, I guess

you don't have the model with the Renault engine, the brand-x drivesaver and the propshaft in line with the skeg (move engine or skeg to service). Or the one with stays anchored to the deck instead of the hull. Like I said, the histories hopefully aren't real relevant to todays better models. And when I pick a charter boat, the Admirals comfort will be a prime factor.

 

[Mike]

Catalina

I love the looks of a Hunter. Was going to buy one. Chartered one down in the Keys with all the amenities. One day wind came up to around 35 kts., double reefed, then dropped the main. Sailed from Bahia Honda to Key West. Fast, but when we got there hull had flexed so much the doors to the heads and the various drawers wouldn't open. Bought a Catalina. Have been caught in heavy weather three times and did not have any problems afterwards.Nice couple in Marina next to me have a new 320. Thought about Catalina, but didn't want to spend the extra money. After owning the boat for 8 months and going on other boats (Catalina's, Beneteau's) stated that they regret not getting Catalina.But man, I do like the look of a Hunter.

 

[Herb Parsons]

I think you asked the wrong question

I too, find these types of questions interesting, and even somewhat entertaining, but they rarely seem to really answer the question. I think it's because the wrong question is being asked.Let's face it. Most boat owners buy one, maybe two or three sailboats in their lifetime. Usually, if we find a boat we like, we stick with it, unless we decide to move to larger (or in some cases smaller). That was the case with me, and I'm sure most of you.However, there are SOME folks that buy a boat, and hate it. The like sailing, but they don't like the boat they ended up with, and get rid of it to find a better one.I think when comparing boats, a person should narrow the choice down to 2 to 4 brands in a particlar size boat, then look for owners of those brand/sizes that DIDN'T like them, and ask what they didn't like.Just my personal opinion.

 

[robert taylor]

physics

it is all about physics. first of all i am living on my 5th boat for over 30 years. it is a catalina 380 2003. it is built like a truck and weighs in at 19500. weight is a big factor in a boats behavior in bad weather. i carry everything up in 30 knot winds. hunters are good fast boats, but are not as comfortable in heavy weather. i have skippered several different hunters and catalinas for our sailing club. hunters are great if not pushed beyond their limits (like all boats, even catalinas). one nice feature about catalina, is that everything below can be brought out through the main hatch. even the engine. also, you can access all of the wiring and plumbing....not true on other brands. now back to blighe. i have been on three boats dismasted (charter boats with corroded shrounds and one parted backstay) the mast makes the boat more stable due to the moment of inertia. when the mast comes down, the boat rocks side to side with much more frequency, roll, and pitch. if you do not believe this, make a model out of 2 X 4 with a stick and do the r & d. i also have and olympic racing boat 18 feet that will not sink. but once it swamps you can not bail it dry again either. while you are correct to say that sinking was not the main problem, i will stop short of that and say besides food and water, keeping the boat dry was essential to his return.

 

[Dan C30]

early on I agreed with Robert Taylor

then came the onsaught of Bligh had a great boat even then, and the value of a strong blue water cruiser, etc, etc, well after reading all the replies, I still agree with Robert Taylor's assesment, no such thing as a blue water boat, only blue water sailors! say what you will about Bligh's boat, luck, skill, or whatever and then think about the Polynesians sailing the Pacific in rafts and canoes. in a pinch, give me a blue water sailor in a so so boat over a so so sailor in a blue water boat!

 

[Tom Sullivan]

My H24

I bought the H34 about a year ago after looking at Catalina's and Beneteau's. All had lots of positives. The H34 is a 1985 model and was in super condition. The Catalina 34 was gorgeous, much newer, and much more money. I recently sailed it from the Gulf of Mexico to New Jersey. Took 25 days and was about 1300 NM.Boat did great. Hit 8-10 seas 2 or 3 times. Very rocky, but the boat held up well. Problem was trying to sleep in big seas, as well as trying not to get killed in the head when nature called. Crew of 4 did 4 hours on and 4 hours off. Several times we sailed 36 hours straight. If you couldn't sleep, you got really worn down after 36 hours.Much of the trip was in much calmer seas which was fantastic. Nothing more peaceful and beautiful than sailing at night in light winds and calm water with full moon and lots of stars.We were generally 8-10 miles off shore, and probably never more than 20. Also did a couple of stints on the ICW when the seas got really nasty.

 

[robert taylor]

thanks dan

i appreciate the support. my third boat to live on was a c30. my first offshore trip was from galveston to freeport (56 miles). it was blowing 30 to 35 with what i would guess were 5 to 6 foot waves (crest to trough). the wind was on the nose. when we would come off the crest of a wave, i semed like nothing on the boat was even in the water. she would hit the trough like a rock, with solid water gushing over the bow and down the cabin top. the boat never made a sound....not a creak or a moan. what a great boat....i would take a c30 just about anywhere.rt