We are down to two, the Hunter 356 and the Catalina 35. The Catalina seems to have heavier tackle, but both seem a good value for the money. We will do mostly coastal sailing, the Bahamas, and Keys, after attending sailing school. This is our first sail boat, unless you count a Hobi Cat. We have been reading posts on this site for quite a while and your discussions have been very informative and helpful. So, do you have any thoughts on this? Has anyone been in the same situation? Thank you!
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Hunter vs Catalina
I attended the Miami Boat Show and looked at both boats you mentioned. I was drawn to the Catalina 35 over the Hunter because I liked the looks of the Catalina. I now own a 1990 Hunter 335 and bought it just after the boat show. I beleive both manufacturers are top of the line in production cruising boats, so you should make your decision on what appeals to your eye. Now that I am a Hunter owner, I see the quality in their cabinetry and interior features as a plus...much more comfortable and eye appealing than the Catalina. Good luck in your purchase, Cap'n Brent S/V Elena Lua http://www.elenalua.homestead.com
I attended the Miami Boat Show and looked at both boats you mentioned. I was drawn to the Catalina 35 over the Hunter because I liked the looks of the Catalina. I now own a 1990 Hunter 335 and bought it just after the boat show. I beleive both manufacturers are top of the line in production cruising boats, so you should make your decision on what appeals to your eye. Now that I am a Hunter owner, I see the quality in their cabinetry and interior features as a plus...much more comfortable and eye appealing than the Catalina. Good luck in your purchase, Cap'n Brent S/V Elena Lua http://www.elenalua.homestead.com
beam decided it
We also considered both boats. But the Catalina's 13 foot beam, a foot wider than the Hunter, was a deciding factor. We could not fit the Catalina in our slip.
We also considered both boats. But the Catalina's 13 foot beam, a foot wider than the Hunter, was a deciding factor. We could not fit the Catalina in our slip.
Boat service / warranty
As a marine mechanic and service manager, I have worked on a lot of different manufactured boats for many years. From personal experience, I find the Hunter to be far more advanced in plumbing systems and materials than the Catalina. I could list other items in boat versus boat, but there is not enough space in this Forum. From a warranty service view, you cannot find a more responsive, positive and attentive group of people than the Hunter warranty department personnel. Quality warranty service is a major determining factor for any boat purchase. Hunter cannot be beaten. I have worked with many a high dollar boat manufacturer and none of them can compare to Hunter's warranty program. The other consideration is your confidence in the boat dealer's service department. They will assemble and commission your new boat. Get to know the service manager. Talk with the service department concerning after market equipment installation if you have any. Ask them their estimated time for delivery preparations. Anyone who insists on a rushed delivery is buying exactly what they demanded. If you want that boat really, really badly, you will get it really badly!! Hope this helps in your decision
As a marine mechanic and service manager, I have worked on a lot of different manufactured boats for many years. From personal experience, I find the Hunter to be far more advanced in plumbing systems and materials than the Catalina. I could list other items in boat versus boat, but there is not enough space in this Forum. From a warranty service view, you cannot find a more responsive, positive and attentive group of people than the Hunter warranty department personnel. Quality warranty service is a major determining factor for any boat purchase. Hunter cannot be beaten. I have worked with many a high dollar boat manufacturer and none of them can compare to Hunter's warranty program. The other consideration is your confidence in the boat dealer's service department. They will assemble and commission your new boat. Get to know the service manager. Talk with the service department concerning after market equipment installation if you have any. Ask them their estimated time for delivery preparations. Anyone who insists on a rushed delivery is buying exactly what they demanded. If you want that boat really, really badly, you will get it really badly!! Hope this helps in your decision
It's not about the arch
Bill: We also looked at both boats and have owned both a Catalina and now a Hunter 356. The arch and swept back spreaders look strange, but my husband and I are both from racing backgrounds and in terms of sailing I strongly urge you to insist on a sea trial of both boats. I will put our 356 up against any boat its size and am confident it will blow away the 350. It points like crazy despite the swept backs and with the huge main the boat creates its own wind. Also, the Hunter customer support before, during and after the sale have been great. In fact, I urge you to call or e-mail Glen Henderson directly and he will gladly address your questions and concerns like a proud papa. You have to remember he also comes from a racing background so the performance was foremost on his mind in designing the 356. You really need to insist on sailing both. Good luck.
Bill: We also looked at both boats and have owned both a Catalina and now a Hunter 356. The arch and swept back spreaders look strange, but my husband and I are both from racing backgrounds and in terms of sailing I strongly urge you to insist on a sea trial of both boats. I will put our 356 up against any boat its size and am confident it will blow away the 350. It points like crazy despite the swept backs and with the huge main the boat creates its own wind. Also, the Hunter customer support before, during and after the sale have been great. In fact, I urge you to call or e-mail Glen Henderson directly and he will gladly address your questions and concerns like a proud papa. You have to remember he also comes from a racing background so the performance was foremost on his mind in designing the 356. You really need to insist on sailing both. Good luck.
It's all about the ARCH
Jane the REAL problem with the arch that you didn't address is it's looks. The Hunters don't even look like sail boats any more. And btw in a race I'll put my money on the Catalina 350 any day. P.S. I also come from a racing background.
Jane the REAL problem with the arch that you didn't address is it's looks. The Hunters don't even look like sail boats any more. And btw in a race I'll put my money on the Catalina 350 any day. P.S. I also come from a racing background.
25% of the 350 cabin is head area.
Jane: When you go below in a Cat 350 25% of the cabin space is head. The table sits 3 people (maybe). Where do the real race boats have their main sheeting, on the end of the boom. Do they have swept back spreaders, yes. They provide tighter sheeting angles. The boats are lighter in weight which will make them sail faster too. Nothing wrong with a Cat 350, but I don't think it is better or faster than the H356. If you like the Cat better than the Hunter, I'd buy it. See if you can get a demo sail on both boats and see which one suits YOU better. PS: I like the S.S. arch!
Jane: When you go below in a Cat 350 25% of the cabin space is head. The table sits 3 people (maybe). Where do the real race boats have their main sheeting, on the end of the boom. Do they have swept back spreaders, yes. They provide tighter sheeting angles. The boats are lighter in weight which will make them sail faster too. Nothing wrong with a Cat 350, but I don't think it is better or faster than the H356. If you like the Cat better than the Hunter, I'd buy it. See if you can get a demo sail on both boats and see which one suits YOU better. PS: I like the S.S. arch!
PHRF Rating
Would any of you consider the PHRF rating as an indicator of speed? Anyone know what it is for these 2 boats? Mark
Would any of you consider the PHRF rating as an indicator of speed? Anyone know what it is for these 2 boats? Mark
Who is going to race either really....
I don't actually think that anyone is going to buy either boat with the idea of racing it. While some of us are more concerned with performance than others I would imagine that 90% of people buying either are going on looks, imenitys, volume, etc. I am currently a Catalina owner and am biased toward Catalina. But not blindly biased. It all comes down to taste and I can't get over the looks of that arch. My wife and I are going to trade up in the next year and that boat more than likley with not be a Catalina either because we are interested in performance such as end boom sheeting. No has to argue with me the advantages of it because I agree fully! I just don't want it up on that arch. The boat number one on our list right now is a C&C 99.
I don't actually think that anyone is going to buy either boat with the idea of racing it. While some of us are more concerned with performance than others I would imagine that 90% of people buying either are going on looks, imenitys, volume, etc. I am currently a Catalina owner and am biased toward Catalina. But not blindly biased. It all comes down to taste and I can't get over the looks of that arch. My wife and I are going to trade up in the next year and that boat more than likley with not be a Catalina either because we are interested in performance such as end boom sheeting. No has to argue with me the advantages of it because I agree fully! I just don't want it up on that arch. The boat number one on our list right now is a C&C 99.
Better value than both!
If you are looking around for a great value in a boat consider a Bavaria. I don't know what they are doing, but they put out a great product for the money. They have a somewhat different design concept than the French and the American designers. I personally think that it is one of the better buys in the sailing market. Again, a lot of it has to do with taste (or being tasteless)<g>.
If you are looking around for a great value in a boat consider a Bavaria. I don't know what they are doing, but they put out a great product for the money. They have a somewhat different design concept than the French and the American designers. I personally think that it is one of the better buys in the sailing market. Again, a lot of it has to do with taste (or being tasteless)<g>.
Hell, I think the arch is damn sexy !!
Funny how individual tastes vary, but I actually really LIKE how the arch makes the boat look (no, I'm not an ex-powerboater). But what makes it really even sexier is that it gets all that clutter out of the cockpit and that's worth ALOT. Most of the time the Bimini masks the fact that there's even an arch there in the first place. I love it.
Funny how individual tastes vary, but I actually really LIKE how the arch makes the boat look (no, I'm not an ex-powerboater). But what makes it really even sexier is that it gets all that clutter out of the cockpit and that's worth ALOT. Most of the time the Bimini masks the fact that there's even an arch there in the first place. I love it.
Arch
Everyone has different taste, that is for sure, but, the arch makes a wonderful attachment for the bimini, a very nice hand hold (Im 6.1
I also think it is very attractive looking. It is very funny to think about all the positive comments I have received from sailors and powerboaters regarding the looks and quality of the 356 my 2 cents. John Dorsett S/V Alcyone
Everyone has different taste, that is for sure, but, the arch makes a wonderful attachment for the bimini, a very nice hand hold (Im 6.1
I also think it is very attractive looking. It is very funny to think about all the positive comments I have received from sailors and powerboaters regarding the looks and quality of the 356 my 2 cents. John Dorsett S/V Alcyonevalue
Steve...not sure of the pricing of the Bavaria in the US but over here not sure your argument holds water. I have ordered the 356 from the dealer who just happen to sell the Bavaria as well. We went over both with a fine tooth comb. They are quite dissimilar but are both volume production boats at a good price. The 356 comes with many more 'standard' features,and is better value for money but I will agree is somewhat different with the arch and spreader arrangement. My wife wouldn't entertain the Bavaria after she went below in the 356 and I am in the camp that likes the look of the arch as well as its practical benefits!!Having said that to each his own and the Bavaria certainly sells well over here.
Steve...not sure of the pricing of the Bavaria in the US but over here not sure your argument holds water. I have ordered the 356 from the dealer who just happen to sell the Bavaria as well. We went over both with a fine tooth comb. They are quite dissimilar but are both volume production boats at a good price. The 356 comes with many more 'standard' features,and is better value for money but I will agree is somewhat different with the arch and spreader arrangement. My wife wouldn't entertain the Bavaria after she went below in the 356 and I am in the camp that likes the look of the arch as well as its practical benefits!!Having said that to each his own and the Bavaria certainly sells well over here.
Maybe exchange value!
Colin: We looked at a Bavaria 37 (I believe) at the Sail Expo in Oakland, Ca. The price was about $140k. This boat was nicely equiped too and slightly larger than the 356. Of course there are some things that I did not care for but thought that the price for what you got was a little better deal than the Hunter & Catalina.
Colin: We looked at a Bavaria 37 (I believe) at the Sail Expo in Oakland, Ca. The price was about $140k. This boat was nicely equiped too and slightly larger than the 356. Of course there are some things that I did not care for but thought that the price for what you got was a little better deal than the Hunter & Catalina.
Bavaria Value
In the US the Bavaria is boat that should be compared if you're looking at Catalina, Hunter, and Beneteau. For the Northwest I would prefer teak interior over mahogany because its a bit lighter color. We need all the interior light (both direct and reflective) that we can get. Our current H-Legend 35 gets a 10 in this department. If one wants an over 40 boat and is willing to make an Atlantic crossing, it really makes financial sense to pick one up in Europe, maybe cruise there a while and duck the VAT, then sail it back home. The Bavaria systems such as water and electrical are nicely laid out and the carbon fiber in the bow is comforting for northwest sailing where there is so much junk (read "logs") in the water. Practical and accessible storage seems better in the larger Bavarias that we've looked at. Haven't checked prices in the 35 to 36 foot range, buying fob the US, but it is probably competitive with the others. With the recent currency realignment between the Euro and the dollar in the past two months the big price differential we have been looking at has been seriously erroded.
In the US the Bavaria is boat that should be compared if you're looking at Catalina, Hunter, and Beneteau. For the Northwest I would prefer teak interior over mahogany because its a bit lighter color. We need all the interior light (both direct and reflective) that we can get. Our current H-Legend 35 gets a 10 in this department. If one wants an over 40 boat and is willing to make an Atlantic crossing, it really makes financial sense to pick one up in Europe, maybe cruise there a while and duck the VAT, then sail it back home. The Bavaria systems such as water and electrical are nicely laid out and the carbon fiber in the bow is comforting for northwest sailing where there is so much junk (read "logs") in the water. Practical and accessible storage seems better in the larger Bavarias that we've looked at. Haven't checked prices in the 35 to 36 foot range, buying fob the US, but it is probably competitive with the others. With the recent currency realignment between the Euro and the dollar in the past two months the big price differential we have been looking at has been seriously erroded.
I hated the arch
I hated the looks of the arch when it was fiberglass, but admitted its advantages for boom sheeting and the ability to singlehand the boat. Now it is stainless, and ties in very nicely with the bimini hardware that it is essentially non-existant. I love that thing now. It ain't just a "rollbar" anymore.
I hated the looks of the arch when it was fiberglass, but admitted its advantages for boom sheeting and the ability to singlehand the boat. Now it is stainless, and ties in very nicely with the bimini hardware that it is essentially non-existant. I love that thing now. It ain't just a "rollbar" anymore.
PHRF for 356
Currently there is one Hunter 356 with a PHRF rating on Lake Michigan. Her handicap is 138. That is for a boat with the wing keel, & furling main.
Currently there is one Hunter 356 with a PHRF rating on Lake Michigan. Her handicap is 138. That is for a boat with the wing keel, & furling main.
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