1968 Pearson 22 vs Hunter 27 — Comparison
1968 Pearson 22
Hunter 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1968 Pearson 22 | Hunter 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Hunter |
| Year | 1968–1973 | 1992–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Shaw | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 0.99 m (3.2 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 454 kg (1,001 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 18.6 m² (200 ft²) | 33.0 m² (355 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 19 L (5.0 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1968 Pearson 22 and Hunter 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1968 Pearson 22 is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the Hunter 27 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1968 Pearson 22 was penned by William Shaw. The Hunter 27 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1968 Pearson 22 measures 6.71m (22.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.13m, compared to the Hunter 27 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.79m beam. The Hunter 27 is 1.52m longer than the 1968 Pearson 22. The Hunter 27 displaces approximately 120% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1968 Pearson 22 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.39 and 18.6 m² of sail area. The Hunter 27, with an SA/D of 18.23 and 33.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1968 Pearson 22 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.82). The Hunter 27 has a comfort ratio of 17.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1968 Pearson 22 and 36.4% for the Hunter 27, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1968 Pearson 22 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 23L of water capacity and 19L of fuel. The Hunter 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1968 Pearson 22 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 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 27 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.