I've noticed a number of questions about the CE rating on Hunter's mid and large size boats. I had the same question and got the following response from Hunter. It looks like a marketing decision that may soon change. All the mid-priced, moderate displacment competition, including Catalina, at the Annapolis boat show caried the CE plate. Here 's Hunters answer The CE classification is a rating that is required on boats sold into the > International market. It has no authority, value or requirements in the > United States domestic market. We would actually prefer that boats built for > the domestic market were required to be CE certified because we could then > build all the boats the same instead of having to layout to different > versions. The differences in the domestic boats and the CE boats are the > hull identification numbers ( US Coastguard requires one thing and CE > requires another) the overboard discharge must be locked off to prevent > accidental discharge, the stove arrangement must be different and there are > electrical wiring changes. Other than that the boats are built the same so > you can see why we would prefer that domestic boats had to be CE certified. > The reason that there is a charge is that the CE organization that certifies > boats charge a fee for every boat that is certified and we have an agreement > that no boats will be built and called CE certified without this fee being > paid to them. It is true that the Hunter 356 receives from the CE group, the > highest of their rating which is the Category "A". Thanks > > Greg Emerson > > Hunter Marine Corporation > Customer Service Department > customerservice@huntermarine.com