1985 Catalina 30 vs Hunter 280 — Comparison
1985 Catalina 30
Hunter 280
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Catalina 30 | Hunter 280 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 1985–1996 | 1998–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 2.82 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 2,585 kg (5,699 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Catalina 30 and Hunter 280 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Catalina 30 is a 1980s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 280 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1985 Catalina 30 was penned by Frank Butler. The Hunter 280 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1985 Catalina 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the Hunter 280 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.82m beam. The 1985 Catalina 30 is 0.61m longer than the Hunter 280. The 1985 Catalina 30 displaces approximately 75% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Catalina 30 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.91 and 40.2 m² of sail area. The Hunter 280, with an SA/D of 18.35 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 280 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Catalina 30 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Hunter 280 has a comfort ratio of 16.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1985 Catalina 30 and 38.6% for the Hunter 280, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Catalina 30 provides 7 berths in 1 cabin with 114L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The Hunter 280 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Catalina 30 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Hunter 280 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1985 Catalina 30 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1985 Catalina 30 · Hunter 280