Catalina 34 MkII vs Hunter 31 — Comparison
Catalina 34 MkII
Hunter 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 34 MkII | Hunter 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 1995–2004 | 2000–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.12 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 34 MkII and Hunter 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 34 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 31 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Catalina 34 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Hunter 31 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 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.12m beam. The Catalina 34 MkII is 0.91m longer than the Hunter 31. The Catalina 34 MkII displaces approximately 33% 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 31, with an SA/D of 17.51 and 44.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 31 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 31 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 34 MkII and 38.9% for the Hunter 31, 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 31 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 31 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 31 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.