Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2012 vs Chris-Craft Launch 28 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2012 against a modified vee Chris-Craft Launch 28 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely 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 2013 measures 27,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2012 at 23,5 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2012 tips the scales at 4 484 lbs — 4 409 lbs more than the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2013 at 75 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 2013 tops out at 375 hp. Engine specs for the Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2012 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2012 carries 103 gallons versus 15 gallons in the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2013. 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 2013 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Chris-Craft Catalina 23 2012 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 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2013 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 2012 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 Year2012
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)
Beam10 ft. (3.05 m)
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Meters3.05
Beam - Inches1
Beam - Inches12
Bridge clearance - Detail9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 6 in. (1.34 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.79
Bridge clearance - Meters1.37
Bridge clearance - Inches11
Bridge clearance - Inches54
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [max] - Detail16 in. (40.6 cm)
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 - Detail7,500 lbs. (3,402 kg)
Weight - kg2033.91
Weight - kg3401.94
Weight - lbs.4484
Weight - lbs.75
Height - DetailWith T-Top: 10 ft. (3.05 m) Without T-Top: 6 ft. 5 in. (1.98 m)
Height - Detail6 ft. 5 in. (1.96 m)
Height - Meters3.05
Height - Meters1.96
Height - Inches12
Height - Inches77
Length - Feet23.5
Length - Feet27.83
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
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] inches2
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail8 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)
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
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 - Gal15
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine makenot available
Engine makeVolvo
Engine modelnot available
Engine model8.1L Gi
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower375 hp
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 - Gal1