Catalina 36 MkII vs Hunter 280 — Comparison
Hunter 280
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 36 MkII | Hunter 280 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 1999–2006 | 1998–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 2.82 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 2,585 kg (5,699 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 36 MkII and Hunter 280 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 36 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 280 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Catalina 36 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Hunter 280 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 280 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.82m beam. The Catalina 36 MkII is 2.44m longer than the Hunter 280. The Catalina 36 MkII displaces approximately 154% 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 280, with an SA/D of 18.35 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 280 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 280 has a comfort ratio of 16.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the Catalina 36 MkII and 38.6% for the Hunter 280, 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 280 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L 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 280 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 280