1968 Pearson 26 vs Hunter 30 — Comparison
1968 Pearson 26
Hunter 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1968 Pearson 26 | Hunter 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Hunter |
| Year | 1968–1975 | 1991–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Shaw | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.10 m (20.0 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 862 kg (1,900 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1968 Pearson 26 and Hunter 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1968 Pearson 26 is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the Hunter 30 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1968 Pearson 26 was penned by William Shaw. The Hunter 30 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1968 Pearson 26 measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the Hunter 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Hunter 30 is 1.22m longer than the 1968 Pearson 26. The Hunter 30 displaces approximately 89% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1968 Pearson 26 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.06 and 27.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 30, with an SA/D of 16.94 and 41.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1968 Pearson 26 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1968 Pearson 26 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Hunter 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.2% for the 1968 Pearson 26 and 41.2% for the Hunter 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1968 Pearson 26 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The Hunter 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1968 Pearson 26 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 1968 Pearson 26 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 30 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.