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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

comparison

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monkey_feet
Deckhand

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1 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/17/2004 : 17:12:47

I'm in the market, and realizing that most that read this will be bias, has anyone done a comparison to the Hunter 260 and Catalina 250.

Thanks,

JH

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 02/17/2004 : 21:36:00

Welcome, you've come to the right place....

The topic has, in fact, come up repeatedly on this forum. Price, build quality, sailing characteristics and trailerability have all been compared. You're right, the "H" does not find much sympathy here. Peruse the postings, and the archives.

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake

Edited by - Oscar on 02/17/2004 21:37:07

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 02/17/2004 : 21:48:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by monkey_feet
 ...realizing that most that read this will be bias<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

True, but please keep in mind that in the American free market economy the consumer expresses his/her vote with his/her dollars! Let the votes speak for themselves.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2004 : 07:48:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Antares
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by monkey_feet
 ...realizing that most that read this will be bias<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

True, but please keep in mind that in the American free market economy the consumer expresses his/her vote with his/her dollars! Let the votes speak for themselves.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That is an interesting point. What sail number is the 250 up to? I would not be surprised to see it is higher than the 240 and 260 together.

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2004 : 08:24:59

Is there any comparison?

Hunters are not as "pretty" as Catalinas. From my encounter racing experience, they don't sail as well as the Catalinas. For my money, that's probably why I have a Catalina, Catalina 25 is the best boat in that mid 20 foot size range, unless you really want to get serious about racing - J24.

Edited by - on

reuben
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2004 : 14:56:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">What sail number is the 250 up to?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I've been wondering about this too. Our 250 WK is #499.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2004 : 18:22:36

Must be nearly 800 currently which would put production average at 100 per year. The C25 however saw 6000 built over 22 years for 272 average per year so they sold nearly three times as fast as the 250.

Edited by - Arlyn Stewart on 02/18/2004 18:30:48

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2004 : 21:39:08

Larry, Did your study of hull numbers include 250's? It might be interesting for someone to gather some statistics on the 250 like that, which would give the latest number.

Edited by - on

Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2004 : 22:06:38

Our C250 owners directory is up to #743 (a 2004 model, Pretty Penny II)

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2004 : 00:13:19

I have never sailed a Hunter, but my local boat yard is a Hunter dealer. Almost everytime they get a new model I go down with the General to crawl all over it. So let me say this about the Hunter 260, it cost 1/3 again more than a C250 with trailer, I haven't figured out what they did with the extra foot yet and the workmanship leaves a great deal to be desired. Yes, Catalina leaves some to be desired also, but I have not heard anyone complain about hull separation on a 250 and have seen three 260's in the last two years with this problem at my local marina. Actually I like the Hunter 240 much better than the 260 just for layout and appearence. For the money you can not go wrong with the C250 WB or WK. Just make sure you chose your dealer wisely.

Edited by - on

Captain B
1st Mate

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USA
88 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2004 : 09:39:49

IMO the Hunter is the Bayliner aka "Bottom Liner" of the sailboat world. Just like its stinkboat cousin, the Hunter lacksin material and craftsmanship. Next time you're on one look for things like the lack of ample backing plates on through deck fittings. I'm not sure I'd have a hunter even if someone gave me one. Then again, I may be just a little bias. I own a Catalina.

Edited by - on

triley
Captain

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USA
251 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2004 : 01:11:50

I agree with Frog about the 26o's. We have 3 of them in our club and 2 have had hull separation. The problems have been real but the dealers have dealt with them both in decent time and under warranty. The third seems OK, but I would worry where the hull meets the keel.

We don't have any 250's., so am unable to judge. In my '87 SR SK I can beat the H260's that use cruising spinnakers in a decent wind with only my 150 and a whisker pole,( a good polyester sail, and a good flattening reef system as well). They hate it, so I let 'em win once in awhile.

(Thank God there's noone else from my club on this site).

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2004 : 10:43:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">They hate it, so I let 'em win once in awhile.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You know what happens.....you let the dog sit on the couch once.....he'll think he owns it.

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake

Edited by - on

reuben
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2004 : 16:41:03

We were recently at the Minneapolis boat show and climbed aboard the Hunter 260 and Catalina 250. The H seemed fine on the trailer; the really interesting difference was in the salespersons' attitudes. The guy selling Hunters was immediately defensive, starting his pitch with the following statement: "Hunters used to be (effluent), but NOW..."

Given the price of a new H compared to a 250, maybe they really have improved.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2004 : 11:57:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by monkey_feet
 I'm in the market, and realizing that most that read this will be bias, has anyone done a comparison to the Hunter 260 and Catalina 250.

Thanks,
JH
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hi Jim,

It doesn't look like we gave you much to go on ... I had hoped that more people would respond to this thread. My best friend moved "up" from a Catalina 30 to a Hunter 37.5 Legend ... he LOVES that boat! Of course, it is an early 90s model, and I'm sure that the age and size difference really make for an apple vs. orange comparison.

I'd like to hear more from people who've had a chance to compare the two boats, but I guess there aren't too many people around who've done that. One thing I seem to recall about recent Hunters that got my attention has to do with their standing rigging ... 'seems to me that they don't have a backstay or something like that ...

Anyway, I wish you luck in your purchase decision ... new boats like this don't come cheap, no matter what the brand, so it's nice to know you're getting the most bang for the buck.

BTW, are you the same "monkey feet" who has a Catalina 22 for sale on eBay?

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2004 : 12:09:53

Buzz
As a marginal contribution to the comparison...
I have several twenty somthing kids, they have brought some friends out to the lake. Without fail the H-260 is the boat that they notice and comment on. What ever else, Hunter seems to understand what young people think is attractive and they are the "next" owner.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2004 : 13:28:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Hunter seems to understand what young people think is attractive<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, just like Jerry Springer, and Grand Theft Auto......somewhere I remember there is also our obligation to teach the kids what is hideous and inferior....

OK,I'm exagerating. Still of all the mass produced boats, ie. Catalina, Beneteau, and Hunter, I find the Hunters consistently lacking in aesthetics. But then again, look at some of the automotive styling out there.....

Oscar

Lady Kay 250 WB #618
Sunrise on the Neuse River...

Edited by - Oscar on 02/24/2004 13:31:13

reuben
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2004 : 16:13:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">of all the mass produced boats, ie. Catalina, Beneteau, and Hunter, I find the Hunters consistently lacking in aesthetics. But then again, look at some of the automotive styling out there..... <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

To postulate: If Catalina=Mazda,Beneteau=Honda and Hunter=Yugo,what is the automotive value of Macgregor?

Edited by - on

frankr
Captain

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256 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2004 : 16:30:15

Before we bought our C250K we actually looked at and even sailed a 200x Hunter 260. It sailed well and the admiral liked it. It was impressive down in the cabin. However looking closly at the some of the finer details (construction and finish) the Catalina seemed better constructed and finsihed. Of course I didn't check their rudder for cracks, cockpit combing cubby holes for leakage and other flaws I have encountered with my Catalina. I also looked at and sailed a 82 Hunter 25 WB and had no problems with it except the cockpit layout and location of the portapotti. I also looked at a older Cal 27 whose construction put both to shame.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2004 : 17:16:45

"If Catalina=Mazda,Beneteau=Honda and Hunter=Yugo,what is the automotive value of Macgregor?"
A Vespa....

Derek

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2004 : 20:10:31

In the end it's probably a Chevy-Ford thing....although, in spite of all the whining we do here about little qc items, or damage caused by neglect during shipping, I have not heard of any serious failures in the Catalina's. I do remember someone talking about hull-deck joint failures, with resulting bulkhead separation in the Hunters. I've also heard they have those problems undr control now......The only Catalina disaster I'm aware of (and probably was related on this forum before my time) was the unexplained sudden sinking of a 42.....It should be noted that it was rebuilt by DIY'ers after they bought it for the value of the lead keel looking like this:

Would you like fries with that? Oscar

Lady Kay 250 WB #618
Sunrise on the Neuse River...

Edited by - on

sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2004 : 19:43:05

Tropical Sleigh on right

Hunter 26 (so I've been told...I thought maybe 27 at first)on left

All I can say is that darn craft if UGLY! Watched the owner back the boat in once, and the tiny breeze spun him all over...(he has a Yamaha 8 on the back) He took three trys before getting the boat in safely. (Needless to say I was nervous for my baby!) Have not seen the skipper since (about three months)too stressed out I guess.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2004 : 20:31:27

It sure is nice to have a thread where everyone agrees.....eh, JH, did we answer your question?

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2004 : 23:19:08

A little fun at an out-of-water boat show... The Catalina salesman walked me over to the Hunter display and had me push in on a rounded section of a H-260 hull... It popped in. When I let go, it popped back out. It's called "oil-canning." The C-250 hull was hard as a rock.

A Hunter 240 at my club caught a shroud on a piling while backing out of his slip and snapped the mast in half. I helped him unrig and organize the whole mess... The lack of a backstay was obviously a contributer, but also the mast extrusion was like a Coors can. I could probably carry the whole mast with one hand.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2004 : 21:02:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I could probably carry the whole mast with one hand.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

RigRite lists the weght of their #6 mast profile at 1.5 pounds per foot:

http://www.rigrite.com/Spars/Rig-Rite_Spars/RigRite_Masts.html

Add hardware etc....... Point being that most of the weight we deal with is the rigging, a mast itself is not that heavy. Still, I agree the Hunter is probably built lighter than our boats, and aesthetically far inferior. (ugly).

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake

Edited by - Oscar on 03/07/2004 21:16:14

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