1970 Columbia 26 Mk II vs Hunter 185 — Comparison
1970 Columbia 26 Mk II
Hunter 185
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II | Hunter 185 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Columbia | Hunter |
| Year | 1970–1975 | 2000–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 5.54 m (18.2 ft) |
| LWL | 6.25 m (20.5 ft) | 4.95 m (16.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 0.91 m (3.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 408 kg (899 lbs) |
| Ballast | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 82 kg (181 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.2 m² (282 ft²) | 13.0 m² (140 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 2 |
| Cabins | 1 | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II and Hunter 185 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II is a 1970s design by Columbia from USA, while the Hunter 185 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II was penned by William Crealock. The Hunter 185 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the Hunter 185 at 5.54m (18.2ft) with a 2.13m beam. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II is 2.38m longer than the Hunter 185. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II displaces approximately 367% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.33 and 26.2 m² of sail area. The Hunter 185, with an SA/D of 24.03 and 13.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Hunter 185 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Hunter 185 has a comfort ratio of 8.7 and a capsize screening value of 1.15. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II and 20.1% for the Hunter 185, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 23L of fuel. The Hunter 185 offers 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II 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 185 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.