1970 Irwin 34 vs Hunter 260 — Comparison
Hunter 260
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Irwin 34 | Hunter 260 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Irwin | Hunter |
| Year | 1970–1978 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Ted Irwin | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.9 m² (516 ft²) | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Irwin 34 and Hunter 260 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Irwin 34 is a 1970s design by Irwin from USA, while the Hunter 260 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1970 Irwin 34 was penned by Ted Irwin. The Hunter 260 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1970 Irwin 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the Hunter 260 at 7.85m (25.8ft) with a 2.74m beam. The 1970 Irwin 34 is 2.51m longer than the Hunter 260. The 1970 Irwin 34 displaces approximately 167% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1970 Irwin 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.73 and 47.9 m² of sail area. The Hunter 260, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 27.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 260 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1970 Irwin 34 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The Hunter 260 has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.87. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1970 Irwin 34 and 37.8% for the Hunter 260, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1970 Irwin 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Hunter 260 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1970 Irwin 34 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 260 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 Irwin 34 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1970 Irwin 34 · Hunter 260