Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chris-Craft Catalina 28 2024 vs Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Chris-Craft Catalina 28 2024 vs Chris-Craft Launch 28 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chris-Craft Catalina 28 2024 at 29,7 ft versus Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 at 28,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chris-Craft Catalina 28 2024 tips the scales at 8 680 lbs — 8 605 lbs more than the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 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 Catalina 28 2024 carries a rated maximum of 300 hp. Engine data for the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 16 gal and 15 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
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 Launch 28 2005 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 Launch 28 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail29.70 ft
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in. (8.53 m)
Length - Feet29.7
Length - Feet28
Length overall - Meters9.05
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Inches356
Length overall - Inches336
Beam9.00 ft
Beam10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters3.05
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches12
Draft [max] - Detail3.00 ft
Draft [max] - DetailSingle engine: 35 in. (89 cm) Twin engine: 33.5 in. (85 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches35
Displacement8680.00 lbs
Displacementnot available
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - DetailSingle engine: 19 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
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail7,500 lbs. (3,402 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg3401.94
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.75
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters8.53
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal16
Fuel tank capacity - Gal15
Fuel tank capacity - Liters605.67
Fuel tank capacity - Liters567.81
Engine makeMercury Verado
Engine makenot available
Horsepower300 hp
Horsepowernot available
Drive typeoutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine 2 Engine MakeMercury Verado
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine ModelVerado 4 Stroke - DTS
Engine 2 Engine Modelnot available
Engine 2 Horsepower300 hp
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeoutboard
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 8.1 Gi, 375 hp (280 kw) SX (Single Prop) Drive
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail150 gal. (568 l)
Operational Info
Water capacity13
Water capacity35 gal. (132 l) Closed transom: 9 gal. (34 l) Walk-thru
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeChris-Craft
Modelnot available
ModelLaunch 28
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2005