1973 Cal 25 vs Hunter 260 — Comparison
1973 Cal 25
Hunter 260
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1973 Cal 25 | Hunter 260 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cal | Hunter |
| Year | 1973–1978 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Bill Lapworth | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) |
| LWL | 6.10 m (20.0 ft) | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.5 m² (285 ft²) | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1973 Cal 25 and Hunter 260 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1973 Cal 25 is a 1970s design by Cal from USA, while the Hunter 260 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1973 Cal 25 was penned by Bill Lapworth. The Hunter 260 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1973 Cal 25 measures 7.62m (25.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the Hunter 260 at 7.85m (25.8ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Hunter 260 is 0.23m longer than the 1973 Cal 25. The Hunter 260 displaces approximately 13% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1973 Cal 25 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.11 and 26.5 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 1973 Cal 25 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1973 Cal 25 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). 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 1973 Cal 25 and 37.8% for the Hunter 260, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1973 Cal 25 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The Hunter 260 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1973 Cal 25 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 1973 Cal 25 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: 1973 Cal 25 · Hunter 260