1965 Pearson Vanguard vs Hunter 280 — Comparison
1965 Pearson Vanguard
Hunter 280
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Pearson Vanguard | Hunter 280 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Hunter |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 1998–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Philip Rhodes | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.83 m (32.3 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) | 2.82 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 2,585 kg (5,699 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,678 kg (3,699 lbs) | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Pearson Vanguard and Hunter 280 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the Hunter 280 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard was penned by Philip Rhodes. The Hunter 280 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard measures 9.83m (32.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.84m, compared to the Hunter 280 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.82m beam. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard is 1.30m longer than the Hunter 280. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard displaces approximately 58% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.32 and 36.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 280, with an SA/D of 18.35 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 280 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 25.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The Hunter 280 has a comfort ratio of 16.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 41.1% for the 1965 Pearson Vanguard and 38.6% for the Hunter 280, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The Hunter 280 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1965 Pearson Vanguard is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Hunter 280 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1965 Pearson Vanguard · Hunter 280