Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chris-Craft Catalina 26 2012 vs Chris-Craft Speedster 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Chris-Craft Catalina 26 2012 vs Chris-Craft Speedster 2005 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 26 2012 measures 26,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 24,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chris-Craft Speedster 2005 at 2,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chris-Craft Catalina 26 2012 tips the scales at 685 lbs — 400 lbs more than the Chris-Craft Speedster 2005 at 285 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chris-Craft Catalina 26 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Chris-Craft Speedster 2005 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chris-Craft Catalina 26 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Chris-Craft Catalina 26 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 26,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chris-Craft Speedster 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChris-Craft
MakeChris-Craft
ModelCatalina 26
ModelSpeedster
Model Year2012
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.64 m)
Beam7 ft. 11 in. (2.41 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches95
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℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [max] - Detail17 in. (45.7 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86.4 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.43
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches17
Draft [max] - Inches34
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 - Detail2,850 lbs. (1,293 kg)
Weight - kg3107.11
Weight - kg1292.74
Weight - lbs.685
Weight - lbs.285
Height - Detail6 ft. 8 in. (2.03 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters2.03
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches8
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Feet26.5
Length - Feet2
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 6 in. (8.08 m)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 2 in. (6.15 m)
Length overall - Meters8.08
Length overall - Meters6.15
Length overall - Inches318
Length overall - Inches242
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail17.5 in. (44.5 cm)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches17.5
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.15
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches2
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 - Detail34 gal. (129 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters582.95
Fuel tank capacity - Liters128.7
Fuel tank capacity - Gal154
Fuel tank capacity - Gal34
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 4.3 l Gxi MPI V6, 225 hp (168 kw)
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Water capacitynot available