Catalina 250 vs Hunter 30 — Comparison
Catalina 250
Hunter 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 250 | Hunter 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 1994–2004 | 1991–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.78 m (22.2 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 24.5 m² (264 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 42 L (11.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 250 and Hunter 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 250 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 30 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Catalina 250 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Hunter 30 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the Catalina 250 measures 7.62m (25.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the Hunter 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Hunter 30 is 1.52m longer than the Catalina 250. The Hunter 30 displaces approximately 143% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 250 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.30 and 24.5 m² of sail area. The Hunter 30, with an SA/D of 16.94 and 41.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 250 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 250 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.89). The Hunter 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the Catalina 250 and 41.2% for the Hunter 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 250 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 42L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The Hunter 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 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 Catalina 250 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 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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