2001 Hunter 216 vs Catalina 250 — Comparison
2001 Hunter 216
Catalina 250
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2001 Hunter 216 | Catalina 250 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Catalina |
| Year | 2001–2008 | 1994–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.50 m (21.3 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.64 m (18.5 ft) | 6.78 m (22.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.34 m (7.7 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 340 kg (750 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 17.5 m² (188 ft²) | 24.5 m² (264 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 5 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 19 L (5.0 gal) | 42 L (11.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 3 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2001 Hunter 216 and Catalina 250 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2001 Hunter 216 is a 2000s design by Hunter from USA, while the Catalina 250 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 2001 Hunter 216 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The Catalina 250 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 2001 Hunter 216 measures 6.50m (21.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.34m, compared to the Catalina 250 at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The Catalina 250 is 1.12m longer than the 2001 Hunter 216. The Catalina 250 displaces approximately 75% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2001 Hunter 216 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.99 and 17.5 m² of sail area. The Catalina 250, with an SA/D of 18.30 and 24.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2001 Hunter 216 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2001 Hunter 216 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.97). The Catalina 250 has a comfort ratio of 13.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 2001 Hunter 216 and 38.5% for the Catalina 250, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2001 Hunter 216 provides 3 berths in 1 cabin with 19L of water capacity and 15L of fuel. The Catalina 250 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 42L water and 30L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 250 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 2001 Hunter 216 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 250 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.