Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chris-Craft Catalina 26 2011 vs Chris-Craft Catalina 28 2024 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Chris-Craft Catalina 26 2011 vs Chris-Craft Catalina 28 2024 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chris-Craft Catalina 28 2024 measures 29,7 feet overall (2024), giving it roughly 3,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chris-Craft Catalina 26 2011 at 26,5 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chris-Craft Catalina 28 2024 tips the scales at 8 680 lbs — 7 995 lbs less than the Chris-Craft Catalina 26 2011 at 685 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 Catalina 28 2024 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Chris-Craft Catalina 26 2011 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chris-Craft Catalina 26 2011 carries 154 gallons versus 16 gallons in the Chris-Craft Catalina 28 2024. 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 Catalina 28 2024 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Chris-Craft Catalina 26 2011 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chris-Craft Catalina 28 2024 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Chris-Craft Catalina 28 2024 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 29,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chris-Craft Catalina 26 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChris-Craft
Makenot available
ModelCatalina 26
Modelnot available
Model Year2011
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.64 m)
Beam9.00 ft
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches108
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m) With T-Top: 9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.9
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches114
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise21℃
Deadrisenot available
Draft [max] - Detail17 in. (45.7 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail3.00 ft
Draft [max] - Meters0.43
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches17
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - DetailWithout Engines: 5,900 lbs. (2,757 kg) With Twin 150's: 6,850 lbs. (3,107 kg) With Single 350: 6,704 lbs. (3,040.8 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg3107.11
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.685
Weight - lbs.not available
Height - Detail6 ft. 8 in. (2.03 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters2.03
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches8
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Meters8.08
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet26.5
Length - Feet29.7
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 6 in. (8.08 m)
Length overall - Detail29.70 ft
Length overall - Meters8.08
Length overall - Meters9.05
Length overall - Inches318
Length overall - Inches356
Displacementnot available
Displacement8680.00 lbs
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail154 gal. (583 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters582.95
Fuel tank capacity - Liters605.67
Fuel tank capacity - Gal154
Fuel tank capacity - Gal16
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeoutboard
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury Verado
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower300 hp
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine MakeMercury Verado
Engine 2 Engine Modelnot available
Engine 2 Engine ModelVerado 4 Stroke - DTS
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Horsepower300 hp
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeoutboard
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Water capacity13
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower