Catalina 385 vs Hunter 36 — Comparison
Catalina 385
Hunter 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 385 | Hunter 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 2006–2014 | 1996–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 56.0 m² (603 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 242 L (63.9 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 385 and Hunter 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 385 is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 36 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Catalina 385 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Hunter 36 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Catalina 385 measures 11.73m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the Hunter 36 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.56m beam. The Catalina 385 is 0.91m longer than the Hunter 36. The Catalina 385 displaces approximately 38% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 385 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.29 and 65.0 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 385 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The Hunter 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 38.9% for the Catalina 385 and 39.2% for the Hunter 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 385 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 242L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The Hunter 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 385 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 385 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.