I am buying my first "big" boat and need advice. This will be a permanent liveaboard for me, my wife and my cat and I will be cruising the US eastern seaboard and the Carribean. I've narrowed the field to the Hunter 410 and the Catalina 42mkII. The Benneteau looked nice but I've yet to see one with under 3 staterooms. I'm mostly concerned with durability, reliability, and sailing ease. I welcome all advice.
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Bob Knott
Read the Archives
Your question is far too general to be properly answered here. Read the archives on this site or search for previous comments about both boats. You'll learn more there than with an open ended, one versus the other question. Find the boat you like, buy it, sail it, and be happy. Bob Knott H380
Your question is far too general to be properly answered here. Read the archives on this site or search for previous comments about both boats. You'll learn more there than with an open ended, one versus the other question. Find the boat you like, buy it, sail it, and be happy. Bob Knott H380
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david lewis
Choices for live aboards
The large catalinas are built at what was the Morgan factory in Florida. Catalina bought the Morgan operation a few years back. Two friends bought identical 38's recently and they love them. One is retired and cruising like yourself, the other is still working but loves his 38. No comment on the Hunter. All of these boats must be considered low end. The quality is based on the price you pay. If you want a rugged cruiser consider paying 2 or 3 times as much and get a pacific seacraft or a hans christian or some other tank. The boats you mentioned will be lively performers in comparison to the tanks, so what do you want? will your time be spent putting up and down the intra-coastal or will you be sailing most of the time?
The large catalinas are built at what was the Morgan factory in Florida. Catalina bought the Morgan operation a few years back. Two friends bought identical 38's recently and they love them. One is retired and cruising like yourself, the other is still working but loves his 38. No comment on the Hunter. All of these boats must be considered low end. The quality is based on the price you pay. If you want a rugged cruiser consider paying 2 or 3 times as much and get a pacific seacraft or a hans christian or some other tank. The boats you mentioned will be lively performers in comparison to the tanks, so what do you want? will your time be spent putting up and down the intra-coastal or will you be sailing most of the time?
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Andy Howard
Buy the boat that catches your eye
Thatcher, you might as well ask, Should I date a Blond or a Brunette? There is no such thing as a perfect boat, that's why we have to fall in love with them, so that we can overlook the minor imperfections or shortcommings. My advice is to keep looking until one boat comes along that you can't seem to get off your mind.
Thatcher, you might as well ask, Should I date a Blond or a Brunette? There is no such thing as a perfect boat, that's why we have to fall in love with them, so that we can overlook the minor imperfections or shortcommings. My advice is to keep looking until one boat comes along that you can't seem to get off your mind.
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LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners
So true, Andy
Both boats are relatively equal in construction and liveability. Which one do you like better? That's the real question. Don't know yet? Go take a few test sails - you'll figure it out. LaDonna
Both boats are relatively equal in construction and liveability. Which one do you like better? That's the real question. Don't know yet? Go take a few test sails - you'll figure it out. LaDonna
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Guest
I looked at both, and then some...
...before I bought my Catalina 36. Nothing against Hunter, I seriously looked at a H35. The right boat presented itself at the right time, at the right price. Hunters and Catalinas, although similar in construction as LaDonna says, seem to have a difference character. Hunters are big on innovation and new styles (there are a bazzilion Hunter models that change every few years) whereas Catalinas stick with what works... there are positives to both approaches. The Hunter B&R rig is a pretty cool innovation (let's not start that debate about the arches) and those Hunters sure know how to use space (check out those overhang decks). They also sail very well, especially in light air. The Catalinas look a little more traditional (still not much teak) in their lines (some say boring?), and the company likely still procuces parts for your 15+ boat. I surmise that there are so many Hunter and Catalina sailboats out there because owners of both are loyal. I started as a sailboat "snob" and have learned to respect both manufacterers as companies that are still in business "after all these years..."!
...before I bought my Catalina 36. Nothing against Hunter, I seriously looked at a H35. The right boat presented itself at the right time, at the right price. Hunters and Catalinas, although similar in construction as LaDonna says, seem to have a difference character. Hunters are big on innovation and new styles (there are a bazzilion Hunter models that change every few years) whereas Catalinas stick with what works... there are positives to both approaches. The Hunter B&R rig is a pretty cool innovation (let's not start that debate about the arches) and those Hunters sure know how to use space (check out those overhang decks). They also sail very well, especially in light air. The Catalinas look a little more traditional (still not much teak) in their lines (some say boring?), and the company likely still procuces parts for your 15+ boat. I surmise that there are so many Hunter and Catalina sailboats out there because owners of both are loyal. I started as a sailboat "snob" and have learned to respect both manufacterers as companies that are still in business "after all these years..."!
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Carl
Ford or Chevy
Which do you prefer? Same goes here. I went with Catalina because, well..., they speak to me more so than Hunter's do. But they're both good boats.
Which do you prefer? Same goes here. I went with Catalina because, well..., they speak to me more so than Hunter's do. But they're both good boats.
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