Catalina 323 vs Hunter 260 — Comparison
Hunter 260
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 323 | Hunter 260 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 323 and Hunter 260 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 323 is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 260 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Catalina 323 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Hunter 260 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Catalina 323 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the Hunter 260 at 7.85m (25.8ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Catalina 323 is 1.90m longer than the Hunter 260. The Catalina 323 displaces approximately 133% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 323 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.51 and 46.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 260, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 27.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 260 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 323 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Hunter 260 has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.87. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the Catalina 323 and 37.8% for the Hunter 260, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 323 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Hunter 260 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 323 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 260 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 323 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Catalina 323 · Hunter 260