Catalina 36 MkII vs Hunter 36 — Comparison
Hunter 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 36 MkII | Hunter 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 1999–2006 | 1996–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) | 56.0 m² (603 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 36 MkII and Hunter 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 36 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 36 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Catalina 36 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Hunter 36 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Catalina 36 MkII measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the Hunter 36 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.56m beam. The Catalina 36 MkII is 0.15m longer than the Hunter 36. The Catalina 36 MkII displaces approximately 12% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 36 MkII has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.35 and 56.5 m² of sail area. The Hunter 36, with an SA/D of 17.43 and 56.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 36 MkII offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Hunter 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the Catalina 36 MkII and 39.2% for the Hunter 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 36 MkII provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The Hunter 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 36 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 36 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 36 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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Or view individual specs: Catalina 36 MkII · Hunter 36