Catalina 36 MkII vs Hunter 356 — Comparison
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 36 MkII | Hunter 356 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 1999–2006 | 2000–2005 |
| 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) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 36 MkII and Hunter 356 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 36 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 356 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Catalina 36 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Hunter 356 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 356 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.53m beam. The Catalina 36 MkII is 0.15m longer than the Hunter 356. The Catalina 36 MkII displaces approximately 21% 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 356, with an SA/D of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 356 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 356 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the Catalina 36 MkII and 40.0% for the Hunter 356, 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 356 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L 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 356 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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