Catalina 270 vs Hunter 356 — Comparison
Catalina 270
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 270 | Hunter 356 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 1992–2002 | 2000–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 270 and Hunter 356 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 270 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 356 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Catalina 270 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Hunter 356 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Catalina 270 measures 8.31m (27.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the Hunter 356 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.53m beam. The Hunter 356 is 2.51m longer than the Catalina 270. The Hunter 356 displaces approximately 135% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 270 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.01 and 31.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 356, with an SA/D of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 270 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 270 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The Hunter 356 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 39.2% for the Catalina 270 and 40.0% for the Hunter 356, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 270 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The Hunter 356 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 356 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 270 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 356 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 270 · Hunter 356