Catalina 36 vs Hunter Vision 36

[BJSoCal]

That's my current delima, we want to sail, but live on it at the same time.

[jameswilson29]

Originally Posted by Passat

Take into consideration: if you're going to cruise 98% you liveaboard and 2% sail. Cabin layout and comfort also most important things your spouse need. You deside what your priorities. For that reason I'm all Hunter, currenly looking for 376.

I think Hunter just found its next salesman or social marketing department employee...

[Passat]

What can I say... my wife, daughters, friends heard from me same thing many times, maybe it's sound annoying but I love 376 and can't wait to get one.

[PalmettoSailor]

Originally Posted by BJSoCal

Yes, no stays.

I'm just curious why the Hunter isn't a good "sail boat"? I really love the cabin layout over the Catalina.

If that was for me, I don't think I quite said Hunter's aren't good sailboats, just that the Visions are not among the boats I would consider.

Stayless rigs are not common and many experienced sailors would be skittish of buying one which limits your market when its time to move up/down/out.

We used to be in a marina adjacent to one of the largest Hunter dealers on the Chesapeake and there were probably 5 Hunters for every other brand of boat in our marina, many owned by folks that had moved up from smaller Hunters, and I don't remember there being a Vision boat in the bunch. Point is, Visions are rare even where there are high concentrations of Hunters. If you like Hunter's then buy one, but I still argue you'd be doing yourself a favor to buy one of their more popular/common models.

[Faster]

A Catalina 36 is one of the most livable boats out there for its size... and it would sail circles (literally) around a Vision 36 any day of the week.

As a SAILBOAT there's no contest.... as a liveaboard I'm not at all sure I'd give the nod to the Hunter either.

And Passat.... the 376 is a totally different beast than the Vision series, but for my money the Legend series (33.5,35.5,37.5) are much better boats.

[MikeinLA]

Originally Posted by Faster

A Catalina 36 is one of the most livable boats out there for its size... and it would sail circles (literally) around a Vision 36 any day of the week.

As a SAILBOAT there's no contest.... as a liveaboard I'm not at all sure I'd give the nod to the Hunter either.

I totally concur. I've had 2 Cat 36s. Lived aboard the first, still have the second. Great boat for a couple, palatial for a single. Lead keel, sails well and some fool even circumnavigated in one.

Mike

[mohave_steve]

Originally Posted by MikeinLA

I totally concur. I've had 2 Cat 36s. Lived aboard the first, still have the second. Great boat for a couple, palatial for a single. Lead keel, sails well and some fool even circumnavigated in one.

Mike

I have been looking about to figure out our likes & dislikes in a potential liveaboard. I hadn't looked at the Catalina's until I came across this thread. I think I am going to take a look at a couple for sale over in Seattle. From the pictures I have seen online they look like a comfortable & efficient layout for a 36.

BUT.....

If the urge struck me to cross oceans, and maybe even consider circumnavigation, is the Catalina a poor choice?

[rugosa]

Ford vs Chevy?

[chuck53]

Originally Posted by rugosa

Ford vs Chevy?

I disagree. More like Ford Vs. Honda. Don't think Honda is the better car? Put 150,000 miles on similar Fords and Hondas...advertise both in classified media and see what happens. I guarantee you will have 5 times more calls on the Honda and it will sell quicker for a higher price.

[chuck53]

Originally Posted by mohave_steve

I have been looking about to figure out our likes & dislikes in a potential liveaboard. I hadn't looked at the Catalina's until I came across this thread. I think I am going to take a look at a couple for sale over in Seattle. From the pictures I have seen online they look like a comfortable & efficient layout for a 36.

BUT.....

If the urge struck me to cross oceans, and maybe even consider circumnavigation, is the Catalina a poor choice?

If you look at the Cat 36, also look at the Cat 34 as well. Interior space isn't that much different and it has a completely different layout that suits some people better than the 36.

Circumnavigating with a Catalina? It's a nice boat but isn't built for bluewater sailing. Not to say a properly re-fitted Catalina can't do it, but if you want to do bluewater sailing, get a boat that was designed from the keel up for that purpose.