Catalina 28 vs Hunter 212 — Comparison
Catalina 28
Hunter 212
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 28 | Hunter 212 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) | 6.35 m (20.8 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 5.56 m (18.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 2.26 m (7.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 0.99 m (3.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,812 kg (6,199 lbs) | 680 kg (1,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) | 168 kg (370 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 33.5 m² (361 ft²) | 16.0 m² (172 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 4 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 15 L (4.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 3 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 28 and Hunter 212 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 28 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 212 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Catalina 28 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Hunter 212 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Catalina 28 measures 8.69m (28.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the Hunter 212 at 6.35m (20.8ft) with a 2.26m beam. The Catalina 28 is 2.34m longer than the Hunter 212. The Catalina 28 displaces approximately 314% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 28 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.09 and 33.5 m² of sail area. The Hunter 212, with an SA/D of 21.04 and 16.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Hunter 212 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 28 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.82). The Hunter 212 has a comfort ratio of 10.5 and a capsize screening value of 1.03. The ballast ratios are 40.3% for the Catalina 28 and 24.7% for the Hunter 212, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 28 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 95L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Hunter 212 offers 3 berths in 1 cabin with 15L water and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 28 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 212 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 28 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.