The Chris-Craft Catalina 29 2017 vs Chris-Craft Launch 25 GT 2019 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 29 2017 measures 29,3 feet overall (2017), giving it roughly 3,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chris-Craft Launch 25 GT 2019 at 25,8 feet (2019). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chris-Craft Catalina 29 2017 tips the scales at 8 200 lbs — 1 940 lbs more than the Chris-Craft Launch 25 GT 2019 at 6 260 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 350 hp, the Chris-Craft Launch 25 GT 2019 has a 100-hp advantage over the Chris-Craft Catalina 29 2017's 250-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chris-Craft Launch 25 GT 2019 carries 86 gallons versus 22 gallons in the Chris-Craft Catalina 29 2017. 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 29 2017 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Chris-Craft Launch 25 GT 2019 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 Catalina 29 2017 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Chris-Craft Catalina 29 2017 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 29,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chris-Craft Launch 25 GT 2019 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.