1971 Ranger 26 vs Hunter 240 — Comparison
1971 Ranger 26
Hunter 240
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1971 Ranger 26 | Hunter 240 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Ranger | Hunter |
| Year | 1971–1976 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gary Mull | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 6.17 m (20.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.62 m (8.6 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 476 kg (1,049 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 29.5 m² (318 ft²) | 22.5 m² (242 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 8 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 19 L (5.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1971 Ranger 26 and Hunter 240 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1971 Ranger 26 is a 1970s design by Ranger from USA, while the Hunter 240 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1971 Ranger 26 was penned by Gary Mull. The Hunter 240 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1971 Ranger 26 measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.62m, compared to the Hunter 240 at 7.32m (24.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The 1971 Ranger 26 is 0.60m longer than the Hunter 240. The 1971 Ranger 26 displaces approximately 60% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1971 Ranger 26 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.85 and 29.5 m² of sail area. The Hunter 240, with an SA/D of 18.62 and 22.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 240 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1971 Ranger 26 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Hunter 240 has a comfort ratio of 15.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.88. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1971 Ranger 26 and 35.0% for the Hunter 240, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1971 Ranger 26 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 45L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The Hunter 240 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L water and 19L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1971 Ranger 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 Hunter 240 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1971 Ranger 26 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: 1971 Ranger 26 · Hunter 240