Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2008 vs Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2008 is a deep-V design and the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 is a modified-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 measures 27,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2008 at 23,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 tips the scales at 8 121 lbs - 3 637 lbs less than the Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2008 at 4 484 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 tops out at 375 hp. Engine specs for the Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2008 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 carries 150 gallons versus 103 gallons in the Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2008 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 8 passengers and at 27,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChris-Craft
MakeChris-Craft
ModelCatalina 23
ModelLaunch 28
Model Year2008
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)
Beam10 ft. (3.05 m)
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Meters3.05
Beam - Inches100
Beam - Inches120
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [max] - Detail16 in.
Draft [max] - DetailSingle Engine: 25 in. (89 cm) Twin Engine: 33.5 in. (85 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.41
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches16
Draft [max] - Inches33.5
Weight - DetailWith T-top: 4,484 lbs. (2,034 kg)
Weight - DetailDry: 7,500 lbs. (3,402 kg) Trailerable: 8,121 lbs. (3,684 kg)
Weight - kg2033.91
Weight - kg3683.62
Weight - lbs.4484
Weight - lbs.8121
Length - Meters7.16
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet23
Length - Feet27.83
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 6 in. (7.16 m)
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 10 in. (8.48 m)
Length overall - Meters7.16
Length overall - Meters8.48
Length overall - Inches282
Length overall - Inches334
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 6 in. (1.34 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.37
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches54
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - DetailSingle Engine: 17 in. (48.3 cm) Twin Engine: 20 in. (50.8 cm)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches20
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail8 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail6 ft. 5 in. (1.96 m)
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters1.96
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches77
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]23 ft. 1 in. (6.98 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]29 ft. 8 in. (9 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard250 hp (187 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail103 gal. (390 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail150 gal. (568 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters389.9
Fuel tank capacity - Liters567.81
Fuel tank capacity - Gal103
Fuel tank capacity - Gal150
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine makenot available
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Engine modelnot available
Engine model8.1L Gi
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower375 PSHP
Operational Info
Water capacity13 gal. (49.2 l)
Water capacity35 gal. (132 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail10 gal. (38 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal10