1973 Ericson 27 vs Hunter 306 — Comparison
1973 Ericson 27
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1973 Ericson 27 | Hunter 306 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Ericson | Hunter |
| Year | 1973–1980 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Bruce King | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
| LWL | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 30.8 m² (332 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1973 Ericson 27 and Hunter 306 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1973 Ericson 27 is a 1970s design by Ericson from USA, while the Hunter 306 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1973 Ericson 27 was penned by Bruce King. The Hunter 306 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1973 Ericson 27 measures 8.23m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the Hunter 306 at 9.25m (30.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Hunter 306 is 1.02m longer than the 1973 Ericson 27. The Hunter 306 displaces approximately 60% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1973 Ericson 27 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.02 and 30.8 m² of sail area. The Hunter 306, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 306 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1973 Ericson 27 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Hunter 306 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.8% for the 1973 Ericson 27 and 39.8% for the Hunter 306, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1973 Ericson 27 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The Hunter 306 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1973 Ericson 27 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 306 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 306 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.