1990 Catalina 34 vs Hunter 33 — Comparison
1990 Catalina 34
Hunter 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Catalina 34 | Hunter 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 1990–2004 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.02 m (29.6 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 49.8 m² (536 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Catalina 34 and Hunter 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Catalina 34 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 33 is a 1980s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1990 Catalina 34 was penned by Frank Butler. The Hunter 33 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1990 Catalina 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the Hunter 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1990 Catalina 34 is 0.30m longer than the Hunter 33. The 1990 Catalina 34 displaces approximately 19% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Catalina 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.91 and 49.8 m² of sail area. The Hunter 33, with an SA/D of 17.23 and 48.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 33 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Catalina 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Hunter 33 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Catalina 34 and 38.1% for the Hunter 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Catalina 34 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The Hunter 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Catalina 34 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 33 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1990 Catalina 34 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: 1990 Catalina 34 · Hunter 33