1985 Catalina 30 vs Hunter 240 — Comparison
1985 Catalina 30
Hunter 240
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Catalina 30 | Hunter 240 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 1985–1996 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 6.17 m (20.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 476 kg (1,049 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 22.5 m² (242 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 8 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 19 L (5.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Catalina 30 and Hunter 240 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Catalina 30 is a 1980s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 240 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1985 Catalina 30 was penned by Frank Butler. The Hunter 240 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 240 at 7.32m (24.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The 1985 Catalina 30 is 1.82m longer than the Hunter 240. The 1985 Catalina 30 displaces approximately 233% 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 240, with an SA/D of 18.62 and 22.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 240 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 240 has a comfort ratio of 15.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.88. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1985 Catalina 30 and 35.0% for the Hunter 240, 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 240 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L water and 19L 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 240 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 240