Iam new to sailing I own a 18 hobie cat want to buy 25 catalina or 26 hunter both for trailering, which is better for sailing the new bern nc area 25 cat swing keel or 26 hunter water ballast.
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Check the Archives
This has been brought up a number of times so check tha archives. The Catalina owners will say Catalina, the Hunter oweners will say Hunter. Both groups are very loyal. So buy a Hunter (now you know what I own). Both manufacture's make 'Production' costal cruising boats, that in my opinion are very similiar. You have to take a look at both and see which one apeals to you.
This has been brought up a number of times so check tha archives. The Catalina owners will say Catalina, the Hunter oweners will say Hunter. Both groups are very loyal. So buy a Hunter (now you know what I own). Both manufacture's make 'Production' costal cruising boats, that in my opinion are very similiar. You have to take a look at both and see which one apeals to you.
Swing keel
Having owned a 25 Catalina and a 29.5 Hunter, and knowing about how shallow it is around New Bern, I'd go for the swing keel regardless of manufacturer. Catalina and Hunter are equally fine boats and companies, except that Hunter is more innovative and obviously has a better owner website. Loyalty notwitstanding, that swing keel looks mighty attractive.
Having owned a 25 Catalina and a 29.5 Hunter, and knowing about how shallow it is around New Bern, I'd go for the swing keel regardless of manufacturer. Catalina and Hunter are equally fine boats and companies, except that Hunter is more innovative and obviously has a better owner website. Loyalty notwitstanding, that swing keel looks mighty attractive.
I Just bought a Hunter 260
I just went through the same decision making process and although I could have saved a few dollars by buying a Catalina, the Hunter was much roomier and appeared to be more boat for the money. Good Luck.
I just went through the same decision making process and although I could have saved a few dollars by buying a Catalina, the Hunter was much roomier and appeared to be more boat for the money. Good Luck.
3 Catalinas / 1 Hunter
We've owned 2 O'Day's. 3 Catalina's. 1 Hunter. Currently have a Catalina MKII 36. Enough said! G
We've owned 2 O'Day's. 3 Catalina's. 1 Hunter. Currently have a Catalina MKII 36. Enough said! G
Blondes or Brunettes
Do you prefer Blondes or Brunettes. The choice is tough. Had both a 25 Catalina Swing keel and sailed on a 26 Hunter. Both neat boats. Also owned a Hobie 18. Considering your a Hobie owner, I would suggest the Hunter as it will be more lively and faster. However, if you're taking your wife and want something more stable, take the Catalina. both are good boats, neither will be your last boat <grin>. Jim
Do you prefer Blondes or Brunettes. The choice is tough. Had both a 25 Catalina Swing keel and sailed on a 26 Hunter. Both neat boats. Also owned a Hobie 18. Considering your a Hobie owner, I would suggest the Hunter as it will be more lively and faster. However, if you're taking your wife and want something more stable, take the Catalina. both are good boats, neither will be your last boat <grin>. Jim
hunter vs. catalina
hey rick, i also sailed cats-prindle 16. and i too had to decide between the hunter and catalina. the catalina has less head room in the h2o version about 6inches less and dosen't have the beam that the hunter has. the fractioal rig on the hunter means no back stays and allows for a larger mainsail. the trim on the hunter speaks for itself. both are worthy vessels. i chose the hunter and my next boat will be a hunter , see ya on the water dan
hey rick, i also sailed cats-prindle 16. and i too had to decide between the hunter and catalina. the catalina has less head room in the h2o version about 6inches less and dosen't have the beam that the hunter has. the fractioal rig on the hunter means no back stays and allows for a larger mainsail. the trim on the hunter speaks for itself. both are worthy vessels. i chose the hunter and my next boat will be a hunter , see ya on the water dan
Hunter 25.5
Just go below on both the 25.5 and the Junakalina 25 and you will see the Hunter has allot more room. Also has more opening ports and you could find a 25.5 with an inboard. We had a 25.5 and now have a 28.5. when we raced the Junalina 25 we would beat them all the time the 25.5 is a faster and allot bogger boat boat than the Junaklina 25. I would buy the 25.5 over most other 25 to 27 foot boats. Cliff
Just go below on both the 25.5 and the Junakalina 25 and you will see the Hunter has allot more room. Also has more opening ports and you could find a 25.5 with an inboard. We had a 25.5 and now have a 28.5. when we raced the Junalina 25 we would beat them all the time the 25.5 is a faster and allot bogger boat boat than the Junaklina 25. I would buy the 25.5 over most other 25 to 27 foot boats. Cliff
Cat vs Hunt
If you are talking about the older Cat 25 and not the 250, I think you have a real tough decision. I owned the Cat 25 for 13 years and really enjoyed it and thought it was the best 25 going for the money. Last year a 25.5 moved in down the dock and I will have to admit that the cockpit was much larger and the interior more open, especiallly the quarter berth. I really don't think you would be dissappointed with either boat as long as it is not the water ballasted model. I do think that Catalina supports older boats better since they do not change models evvry two years. Either boat would be a real bear to trailer, they are not like your Hobie.
If you are talking about the older Cat 25 and not the 250, I think you have a real tough decision. I owned the Cat 25 for 13 years and really enjoyed it and thought it was the best 25 going for the money. Last year a 25.5 moved in down the dock and I will have to admit that the cockpit was much larger and the interior more open, especiallly the quarter berth. I really don't think you would be dissappointed with either boat as long as it is not the water ballasted model. I do think that Catalina supports older boats better since they do not change models evvry two years. Either boat would be a real bear to trailer, they are not like your Hobie.
Buy the one you love
I've said this several times - you can tell questions like this pop up quite often. Both boats are great. If all things are relatively equal, buy the one that makes your heart sing. LaDonna
I've said this several times - you can tell questions like this pop up quite often. Both boats are great. If all things are relatively equal, buy the one that makes your heart sing. LaDonna
Water ballast vs. Whatever.
We spent a full 7 months looking for the best boat for our needs with 20K being the limit. We used the internet, every sailing publication and sailboat broker we could access. We started out, after hearing that water ballast boats were junk, looking for a "conventional" boat that could be pulled by a 1/2 to 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup truck, safely, at reasonable highway speeds. After 4 months and many trial sailing ventures we saw that water ballasted boats gave a greater selection of size and floor plans. They also were 1500 to 2000 lbs. lighter to tow. The Hunter 26/260 ended up being the best boat for size, sailing qualities, floor plan and resale value we found. We spent more for this boat that the "Whatevers" by about 10%, but it is one hell of alot more boat. Our 95 H26 was considerably less than the 20K, in mint shape, with all options, and a Honda 9.9hp 4 stroke. The trailer was part of the package and built by Hunter for this boat. As for sailing qualities, it is almost ALWAYS faster than equal size boats regardless of types of ballast. As for the comment that they are tender, well, reef early and you will still kick butt, just in an upright position. The bottom line is "a good sailor can handle any reasonably thought-out boat and sail plan effectively. Anything else is the basis for excuses. Just my experencs regarding this question. Ray S/V Speedy
We spent a full 7 months looking for the best boat for our needs with 20K being the limit. We used the internet, every sailing publication and sailboat broker we could access. We started out, after hearing that water ballast boats were junk, looking for a "conventional" boat that could be pulled by a 1/2 to 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup truck, safely, at reasonable highway speeds. After 4 months and many trial sailing ventures we saw that water ballasted boats gave a greater selection of size and floor plans. They also were 1500 to 2000 lbs. lighter to tow. The Hunter 26/260 ended up being the best boat for size, sailing qualities, floor plan and resale value we found. We spent more for this boat that the "Whatevers" by about 10%, but it is one hell of alot more boat. Our 95 H26 was considerably less than the 20K, in mint shape, with all options, and a Honda 9.9hp 4 stroke. The trailer was part of the package and built by Hunter for this boat. As for sailing qualities, it is almost ALWAYS faster than equal size boats regardless of types of ballast. As for the comment that they are tender, well, reef early and you will still kick butt, just in an upright position. The bottom line is "a good sailor can handle any reasonably thought-out boat and sail plan effectively. Anything else is the basis for excuses. Just my experencs regarding this question. Ray S/V Speedy
Why limit yourself to just Catalinas
I have a Catalina 27 and am very happy with it, but I wish I had considered other boats more seriously. I think I might have bought something a little less common. You might find the right boat you never considered!
I have a Catalina 27 and am very happy with it, but I wish I had considered other boats more seriously. I think I might have bought something a little less common. You might find the right boat you never considered!
Buy the one your wife/husband likes best
Looked at Catalinia and Hunter 320's. Of the 2, my wife prefered the Hunter by quite a bit. The 2 were close emough to be a tie for me. It was the cockpit lay-out and interior "quality" that had sold her. All that being said, we bought an S2 9.2C
(go figure!) I am currently considering going back for a nother look at the Hunter. The prices seem very good right now. What's wrong with the S2? It's a great boat that's increased in value sence we bought it. We're (wife
Looked at Catalinia and Hunter 320's. Of the 2, my wife prefered the Hunter by quite a bit. The 2 were close emough to be a tie for me. It was the cockpit lay-out and interior "quality" that had sold her. All that being said, we bought an S2 9.2C
(go figure!) I am currently considering going back for a nother look at the Hunter. The prices seem very good right now. What's wrong with the S2? It's a great boat that's increased in value sence we bought it. We're (wifeHunter vs. Catalina - resale value
Nick, I'm going through the same search as you. To get an idea of value, I gathered a lot of asking prices (>100) on Catalinas and Hunters in the same size range you're checking, then plotted them. What I found was that Catalinas are considerably more expensive when new or relatively new, but lose their value faster. After about 8 to 10 years, the asking prices are about the same. The lesson? If you buy a new or late model Catalina, you will have spent significantly more money to own it than you will if you bought a Hunter.
Nick, I'm going through the same search as you. To get an idea of value, I gathered a lot of asking prices (>100) on Catalinas and Hunters in the same size range you're checking, then plotted them. What I found was that Catalinas are considerably more expensive when new or relatively new, but lose their value faster. After about 8 to 10 years, the asking prices are about the same. The lesson? If you buy a new or late model Catalina, you will have spent significantly more money to own it than you will if you bought a Hunter.
Warranty
ALthough Nick was asking about older boats, if I was buying new I would look at the warranties. As I recall, there is a major difference between Catalina and Hunter with Hunter having the better one. With the price of a well equipped 260 at about 30k that ain't small potatoes. Warranties on all boats should be stronger.
ALthough Nick was asking about older boats, if I was buying new I would look at the warranties. As I recall, there is a major difference between Catalina and Hunter with Hunter having the better one. With the price of a well equipped 260 at about 30k that ain't small potatoes. Warranties on all boats should be stronger.
been there...done that
I had been sailing Hobie Cats for years and needed something for the family to use. After much searching we found a '87 Hunter 26.5 which was big enough (at the time) and had excellent light to moderate air sailing capabilities. She was light, fast and responsive. I even rigged trapeze wires for hanging out on the rail. We get some strange looks flying down the bay with crew hanging off the wire. Had looked at all types of boats before finding the Hunter and have not regretted it one ounce. We are now trading up to a larger Hunter which still offer best overall value and bang for the buck. I still sail the Hobie 17 when I need to go really fast.
I had been sailing Hobie Cats for years and needed something for the family to use. After much searching we found a '87 Hunter 26.5 which was big enough (at the time) and had excellent light to moderate air sailing capabilities. She was light, fast and responsive. I even rigged trapeze wires for hanging out on the rail. We get some strange looks flying down the bay with crew hanging off the wire. Had looked at all types of boats before finding the Hunter and have not regretted it one ounce. We are now trading up to a larger Hunter which still offer best overall value and bang for the buck. I still sail the Hobie 17 when I need to go really fast.
Nimble 26
I like a nimble 26 18" draft nice boat better then a cat or a hunter for a trailering not as fast as the hunter not as big as the cat but you can raise the mast with out the yard and put it in the water at anty ramp .I have a C 30 and love it . but im stuck in the yard with all the bills.
I like a nimble 26 18" draft nice boat better then a cat or a hunter for a trailering not as fast as the hunter not as big as the cat but you can raise the mast with out the yard and put it in the water at anty ramp .I have a C 30 and love it . but im stuck in the yard with all the bills.
Go smaller
Interested in trailering? Go smaller unless you have a large powerful vehicle already (You don't want to buy a new truck too do you?). The catalina is a nice boat. For trailering, forget the Hunter 260. The Hunter 240 is just as nice inside for cruising comfort, yet is 1040 pounds lighter in trailer weight. Catalina 25 vs Hunter 240...I'm glad it is not me deciding. Hard choice!
Interested in trailering? Go smaller unless you have a large powerful vehicle already (You don't want to buy a new truck too do you?). The catalina is a nice boat. For trailering, forget the Hunter 260. The Hunter 240 is just as nice inside for cruising comfort, yet is 1040 pounds lighter in trailer weight. Catalina 25 vs Hunter 240...I'm glad it is not me deciding. Hard choice!
How about a McGregor?
I am sick of paying slip fees and divers. Next time I would get a McGregor 26 and beef if up for siling on the ocean. Jim W
I am sick of paying slip fees and divers. Next time I would get a McGregor 26 and beef if up for siling on the ocean. Jim W
Do looks matter?
In my humble opinion, at least the Catalina looks like a sailboat should. I think the water ballast Hunters are rather "fat" looking and unattractive.
In my humble opinion, at least the Catalina looks like a sailboat should. I think the water ballast Hunters are rather "fat" looking and unattractive.
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