2008 Catalina 350 vs Hunter 260 — Comparison
2008 Catalina 350
Hunter 260
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Catalina 350 | Hunter 260 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 2008–2012 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.65 m (12.0 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 55.3 m² (595 ft²) | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Catalina 350 and Hunter 260 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Catalina 350 is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 260 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 2008 Catalina 350 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Hunter 260 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 2008 Catalina 350 measures 10.67m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.65m, compared to the Hunter 260 at 7.85m (25.8ft) with a 2.74m beam. The 2008 Catalina 350 is 2.82m longer than the Hunter 260. The 2008 Catalina 350 displaces approximately 222% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2008 Catalina 350 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.01 and 55.3 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 2008 Catalina 350 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Hunter 260 has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.87. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 2008 Catalina 350 and 37.8% for the Hunter 260, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2008 Catalina 350 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The Hunter 260 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2008 Catalina 350 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 2008 Catalina 350 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.