Catalina 250 vs Hunter 306 — Comparison
Catalina 250
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 250 | Hunter 306 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 1994–2004 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
| LWL | 6.78 m (22.2 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) |
| Ballast | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 24.5 m² (264 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 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 306 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 250 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 306 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Catalina 250 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Hunter 306 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Catalina 250 measures 7.62m (25.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the Hunter 306 at 9.25m (30.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Hunter 306 is 1.63m longer than the Catalina 250. The Hunter 306 displaces approximately 151% 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 306, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 306 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the Catalina 250 and 39.8% for the Hunter 306, 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 306 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 306 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 306 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: Catalina 250 · Hunter 306