Catalina 34 MkII vs Hunter 260 — Comparison
Hunter 260
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 34 MkII | Hunter 260 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 1995–2004 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 34 MkII and Hunter 260 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 34 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 260 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Catalina 34 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Hunter 260 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Catalina 34 MkII measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the Hunter 260 at 7.85m (25.8ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Catalina 34 MkII is 2.51m longer than the Hunter 260. The Catalina 34 MkII displaces approximately 167% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 34 MkII has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.08 and 52.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 260, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 27.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 260 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 34 MkII offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Hunter 260 has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.87. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 34 MkII and 37.8% for the Hunter 260, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 34 MkII provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Hunter 260 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 34 MkII 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 260 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Catalina 34 MkII 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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