1973 Islander 37 vs Hunter 30 — Comparison
1973 Islander 37
Hunter 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1973 Islander 37 | Hunter 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Hunter |
| Year | 1973–1978 | 1991–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.5 m² (587 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1973 Islander 37 and Hunter 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1973 Islander 37 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the Hunter 30 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1973 Islander 37 was penned by Alan Gurney. The Hunter 30 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1973 Islander 37 measures 11.28m (37.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Hunter 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 1973 Islander 37 is 2.14m longer than the Hunter 30. The 1973 Islander 37 displaces approximately 71% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1973 Islander 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.77 and 54.5 m² of sail area. The Hunter 30, with an SA/D of 16.94 and 41.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hunter 30 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1973 Islander 37 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The Hunter 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.4% for the 1973 Islander 37 and 41.2% for the Hunter 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1973 Islander 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Hunter 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1973 Islander 37 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 30 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1973 Islander 37 · Hunter 30