1996 Hunter 290 vs Catalina 323 — Comparison
1996 Hunter 290
Catalina 323
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Hunter 290 | Catalina 323 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Catalina |
| Year | 1996–2000 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,493 kg (7,701 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 38.9 m² (419 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Hunter 290 and Catalina 323 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Hunter 290 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the Catalina 323 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1996 Hunter 290 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The Catalina 323 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1996 Hunter 290 measures 8.84m (29.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Catalina 323 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.25m beam. The Catalina 323 is 0.91m longer than the 1996 Hunter 290. The Catalina 323 displaces approximately 36% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1996 Hunter 290 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.17 and 38.9 m² of sail area. The Catalina 323, with an SA/D of 16.51 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1996 Hunter 290 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1996 Hunter 290 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Catalina 323 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 39.0% for the 1996 Hunter 290 and 38.1% for the Catalina 323, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1996 Hunter 290 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Catalina 323 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Hunter 290 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 1996 Hunter 290 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.