Hopefully this question will stay in the Catalina section as I don't wish to insult anyone. We have decided to search for a late model, 2nd hand boat with $75,000 being the limit including taxes. Shallow draft is a must, 4' or less, and 30' in lenth will fit nicely into out slip. I came across several of the Hunter 306's model. The asking prices are about 25% less than Catalina's putting the late model Hunters well into our price range. That would include options like, in mast furling, windless, a/c. I guess my question is this, Are Hunter's a lesser built boat? I would really like to here from previous hunter owners. thanks, Jack
Hunter boats
- Thread starter Jack2438
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I can tell you this....take a look at how hunter constructs their chainplate configuration. Note that multiple shrouds are fastened to ONE point. then check out how catalina does it. U dont have to be an engineer to see the lack of stress distribution. Notice the swept back spreaders on the mast. When running with the wind, the main chafes on the spreaders because they hit the main early compared to a rig with convential spreaders. Also, the mast and rig will not stand up to coastal crusing. check out this info in Neigel callders book on crusing. In light air, I can run rings around the hunters. The in mast main furling does not allow for full batten main. Hope this helps to get you into a Catalina. Good luck with that and good wind.
I can tell you this....take a look at how hunter constructs their chainplate configuration. Note that multiple shrouds are fastened to ONE point. then check out how catalina does it. U dont have to be an engineer to see the lack of stress distribution. Notice the swept back spreaders on the mast. When running with the wind, the main chafes on the spreaders because they hit the main early compared to a rig with convential spreaders. Also, the mast and rig will not stand up to coastal crusing. check out this info in Neigel callders book on crusing. In light air, I can run rings around the hunters. The in mast main furling does not allow for full batten main. Hope this helps to get you into a Catalina. Good luck with that and good wind.
A close friend has a Hunter
and it is a very nice boat. However, he ALWAYS talks about how much better the (my) Catalina sails. I notice that when we're in the inlet or in rough seas, his boat has a tendency to slam back into the water when going over swells, where mine cuts through them very smooth. So smooth that when the dreaded power boaters (a.k.a. The No Comprende's) send a nice wake in our direction, I aim right for it! His Hunter is beamier and is more compatible for live aboard then mine though (His is an 84, mine is a 79) Another old friend has an O'Day 30 and he longs for the Catalina and his friend, another Hunter owner, after crewing on my boat for her delivery, sold his and bought a Catalina 310. I would choose Catalina!!! Jack Manning S/V Victim of Fate Atlantic City, NJ
and it is a very nice boat. However, he ALWAYS talks about how much better the (my) Catalina sails. I notice that when we're in the inlet or in rough seas, his boat has a tendency to slam back into the water when going over swells, where mine cuts through them very smooth. So smooth that when the dreaded power boaters (a.k.a. The No Comprende's) send a nice wake in our direction, I aim right for it! His Hunter is beamier and is more compatible for live aboard then mine though (His is an 84, mine is a 79) Another old friend has an O'Day 30 and he longs for the Catalina and his friend, another Hunter owner, after crewing on my boat for her delivery, sold his and bought a Catalina 310. I would choose Catalina!!! Jack Manning S/V Victim of Fate Atlantic City, NJ
last two boats were Hunter's...
Our current boat is a C-310...previously, I owned a Hunter 29.5, and a Cherubini Hunter 27 (my first boat which I still miss to this day). Hunters are fine boats, however, having sailed on other friends Catalina's, I chose to return to the masthead rig vs. the B and R fractional rig which Hunter incorporates on their boats. I researched boats in the 30-32 foot range for quite some time, and found that Catalina's really pushed the limit with regard to how far your dollar goes. I looked at the Henderson designed H31...a solid boat, and relatively fast, however the deck hardware and options were less than the C-310 (we also looked at the Beneteau 323 and found similar dissadvantages). I am not one to rip on Hunters though. I cut my teeth on a Hunter, and moved up to a Hunter, however, I am now a Catalina owner and very happy with our boat. I have to say that I do like the competitiveness between Hunter and Catalina...keeps everyone honest, and now that Catalina has revamped the C30 (with the C309...which is a C-310 hull...still with me?)...I'm curious to see what Hunter's response would be if any...In the end, I feel that both Hunter and Catalina are excellent boats for the money....just my two cents though...
Our current boat is a C-310...previously, I owned a Hunter 29.5, and a Cherubini Hunter 27 (my first boat which I still miss to this day). Hunters are fine boats, however, having sailed on other friends Catalina's, I chose to return to the masthead rig vs. the B and R fractional rig which Hunter incorporates on their boats. I researched boats in the 30-32 foot range for quite some time, and found that Catalina's really pushed the limit with regard to how far your dollar goes. I looked at the Henderson designed H31...a solid boat, and relatively fast, however the deck hardware and options were less than the C-310 (we also looked at the Beneteau 323 and found similar dissadvantages). I am not one to rip on Hunters though. I cut my teeth on a Hunter, and moved up to a Hunter, however, I am now a Catalina owner and very happy with our boat. I have to say that I do like the competitiveness between Hunter and Catalina...keeps everyone honest, and now that Catalina has revamped the C30 (with the C309...which is a C-310 hull...still with me?)...I'm curious to see what Hunter's response would be if any...In the end, I feel that both Hunter and Catalina are excellent boats for the money....just my two cents though...
Correction...sorry,
I meant the Henderson designed C33...I do believe that this boat, overall, is probably faster than the C310...we actually got a lot more with the 310...a 3 cylinder diesel vs. the 2 you get with the C33, Scheafer roller furling on the headsail, Charlston Spar in mast furling...the list goes on...Our 310 is probably a foot wider on the beam making it that much slower. I see that I am now justifying...I still believe that every boat fits someone's needs...for us, the 310 fits the bill...for someone else a Hunter might fit the bill...there is not necessarily a right or wrong choice. I still believe that the key to purchasing a boat...especially a new boat is the DEALER and not the manufacturer. It could be the best built boat in the world, and if the dealer sucks, IT (meaning the boat) sucks too. Research YOUR needs...and you will find YOUR boat. Good luck and fair winds...
I meant the Henderson designed C33...I do believe that this boat, overall, is probably faster than the C310...we actually got a lot more with the 310...a 3 cylinder diesel vs. the 2 you get with the C33, Scheafer roller furling on the headsail, Charlston Spar in mast furling...the list goes on...Our 310 is probably a foot wider on the beam making it that much slower. I see that I am now justifying...I still believe that every boat fits someone's needs...for us, the 310 fits the bill...for someone else a Hunter might fit the bill...there is not necessarily a right or wrong choice. I still believe that the key to purchasing a boat...especially a new boat is the DEALER and not the manufacturer. It could be the best built boat in the world, and if the dealer sucks, IT (meaning the boat) sucks too. Research YOUR needs...and you will find YOUR boat. Good luck and fair winds...
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